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Entrepreneurship II

Preparing for Launch

Thomas E. Parkinson

4.8

Based on 707 ratings

, see reviews

Thomas E. Parkinson

This course builds on previous concepts and outlines strategies and tactics for forming, financing, and launching a new venture. Topics to be addressed will include building the new venture’s initial management team, identifying and reaching out to early customers, developing financial plans, raising startup and initial growth financing, and preparing for and managing rapid growth.

You will be able to:

- Develop an understanding of what is required in a new venture

- Create a plan to identify and approach your first customers

- Build financial projections for the new venture

You will be able to:

- Develop an understanding of what is required in a new venture

- Create a plan to identify and approach your first customers

- Build financial projections for the new venture

- Understand how to raise equity capital for the new venture

- Monitor the health and scalability of a new venture

This course is part of Gies College of Business’ suite of online programs, including the iMBA and iMSM. Learn more about admission into these programs and explore how your Coursera work can be leveraged if accepted into a degree program at https://degrees.giesbusiness.illinois.edu/idegrees/.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Orientation

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Ideal for learners seeking to start and grow their own business ventures, as it offers a practical guide to launching and managing a startup

Taught by an experienced instructor, Thomas E. Parkinson, who has a proven track record in entrepreneurship and venture capital

Well-structured, covering the essential aspects of starting and scaling a new venture, from ideation to financing and growth management

Provides practical tools and templates, such as financial projections and fundraising strategies, to support learners in applying the concepts to their ventures

In-depth exploration of financial planning and fundraising, which are critical aspects for the success of any startup venture

May require additional research or external resources for some specific industry or business models not covered in detail in the course

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Reviews summary

Launch prep: finance, capital, and growth

Learners say this course is a highly valuable and practical guide for preparing to launch a new venture. According to students, the modules on financial forecasting and raising capital are particularly detailed and useful, providing actionable strategies needed for pitching and securing funding. The instructor's delivery is engaging and their insights are invaluable. While many find the content relevant and up-to-date, some students with existing finance backgrounds feel parts could be more advanced or include more hands-on exercises. Overall, it's seen as an excellent continuation of the previous course and essential for serious entrepreneurs, though some topics like legal aspects of funding could be more deeply covered.

Good continuation of the previous course.

"Excellent continuation of the first course. The content on managing growth metrics was particularly insightful."

"Fantastic course! The structure is logical, building nicely from the previous course."

"Another excellent course from this specialization. The content is relevant, up-to-date, and delivered clearly."

"A solid course that covers the essentials for preparing to launch. ...It's great that it builds on the first course."

"This course perfectly builds upon the foundations laid in the first part of the specialization."

Instructor delivers content clearly and engagingly.

"The instructor provides real-world examples and makes complex topics easy to grasp."

"The instructor's delivery is engaging, making potentially dry topics interesting."

"The instructor's clarity and the relevant examples make it a top-tier course in this domain."

"The instructor's insights are invaluable. It's clear this is taught by experienced professionals."

"The videos are clear and the assignments reinforce the learning well."

Provides practical, real-world, actionable insights.

"The instructor provides real-world examples and makes complex topics easy to grasp."

"Overall, a valuable course."

"Highly relevant and practical content."

"The emphasis on real-world application is appreciated."

"Highly recommend this course! It's practical, well-structured, and provides actionable insights."

"It felt like getting advice from experienced VCs and founders."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

Covers financial forecasting & raising capital well.

"This course was exactly what I needed to prepare for pitching my startup idea. The financial forecasting module was incredibly detailed and practical."

"Good course covering key areas like finance and raising capital."

"As someone already in the process of launching, this course filled in crucial gaps in my knowledge, especially regarding funding rounds."

"The explanation of different financing options was top-notch."

"Highly relevant and practical content. The sections on pitching and raising capital were exactly what I needed."

"Provides a good framework for understanding the financial side of startups and how to attract investment."

"The depth on raising capital was unexpected and very welcome."

May lack depth for experienced professionals.

"The information is good, but it felt a little basic in some areas. As someone with a finance background, I was hoping for more advanced financial modeling techniques."

"Good for an introduction, but not enough detail for someone already working in the field."

"Found this course alright. The information felt a bit high-level. I was looking for more practical exercises related to actual financial document creation..."

"Some parts felt a bit theoretical..."

"Some concepts, particularly in finance, required external research for full comprehension."

"I felt the course could have gone deeper into specific financial modeling techniques."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Entrepreneurship II: Preparing for Launch with these activities:

Review Financial Accounting Fundamentals

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Strengthen your financial literacy and knowledge of key accounting concepts to enhance your understanding of financial projections and analysis.

Browse courses on Financial Accounting

Show steps

Review basic accounting principles
Practice reading and analyzing financial statements

Explore Coursera's Startup Courses

Show steps

Supplement your learning by exploring other online resources, such as Coursera's catalog of courses on startup-related topics, to gain additional insights and perspectives.

Browse courses on Startup

Show steps

Browse Coursera's startup courses
Enroll in one or more courses that interest you

Read Venture Deals

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Utilize this guide to understand the financial and legal implications of venture capital and prepare yourself for successful negotiations.

View Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and... on Amazon

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Read the chapter on "The Basics of Venture Financing"
Review the section on "Negotiating the Term Sheet"

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Gather Resources on Startup Marketing

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Expand your knowledge and understanding of startup marketing strategies by compiling a collection of articles, case studies, and tools related to the topic.

Browse courses on Startup Marketing

Show steps

Search for resources on startup marketing
Organize and categorize the resources

Attend Startup Pitch Competitions

Show steps

Immerse yourself in the startup ecosystem by attending pitch competitions, where you can observe real-world pitches and network with founders and investors.

Browse courses on Startup

Show steps

Find startup pitch competitions in your area
Attend the competitions and take notes
Network with founders and investors

Develop a Business Plan

Show steps

Apply the concepts learned in the course to create a comprehensive plan for a new venture, outlining its mission, market analysis, and financial projections.

Browse courses on Business Planning

Show steps

Define the problem your venture will solve
Identify your target market and conduct customer research
Develop a marketing and sales strategy

Build a Financial Model for Your Venture

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience in financial forecasting and analysis by creating a financial model that projects revenue, expenses, and profitability for your venture.

Browse courses on Financial Modeling

Show steps

Identify key financial assumptions
Build a revenue model
Forecast expenses and costs
Develop financial projections

Write a Blog Post on Startup Funding

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of the topic and share your knowledge by writing a blog post that explores the different sources and methods of funding available to startups.

Browse courses on Startup Funding

Show steps

Research various types of startup funding
Interview founders or investors to gather insights
Write and publish your blog post

Career center

Learners who complete Entrepreneurship II: Preparing for Launch will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Entrepreneur

An Entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs their own business. This course can help current and aspiring Entrepreneurs build the skills and knowledge necessary to start and grow a successful business. This course covers a wide range of topics, including marketing, finance, and fundraising, which are all essential for entrepreneurial success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Venture Capitalist

A Venture Capitalist provides funding to early-stage companies with high growth potential. This course can help current and aspiring Venture Capitalists build the skills and knowledge necessary to identify and evaluate investment opportunities, and to manage the risks associated with investing in early-stage companies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Venture Capitalist

Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst provides financial advice to companies and individuals, and helps them make investment decisions. This course can help current and aspiring Financial Analysts build the skills and knowledge necessary to analyze financial data, develop financial models, and make recommendations to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Business Development Manager

A Business Development Manager is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to grow a company's revenue. This course can help current and aspiring Business Development Managers build the skills and knowledge necessary to identify and develop new business opportunities, and to manage relationships with customers and partners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns to promote a company's products or services. This course can help current and aspiring Marketing Managers build the skills and knowledge necessary to develop and execute marketing strategies, and to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the development and launch of new products or services. This course can help current and aspiring Product Managers build the skills and knowledge necessary to identify and develop new product opportunities, and to manage the product development process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Investment Banker

An Investment Banker provides financial advice to companies and governments, and helps them raise capital through debt or equity offerings. This course can help current and aspiring Investment Bankers build the skills and knowledge necessary to identify and evaluate investment opportunities, and to develop strategies to raise capital for their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for the management of a company's sales team. This course can help current and aspiring Sales Managers build the skills and knowledge necessary to manage and motivate a sales team, and to achieve sales targets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Operations Manager

An Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company. This course can help current and aspiring Operations Managers build the skills and knowledge necessary to manage teams, processes, and resources to ensure that a company's operations run smoothly and efficiently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Chief Executive Officer

A Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, is a top-level executive who is responsible for an organization's overall success. CEOs make decisions that affect the entire organization, including its mission, strategy, and financial performance. This course may be helpful for CEOs as it provides an overview of the key elements of starting and growing a business, including marketing, finance, and fundraising. This course can help current and aspiring CEOs build the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully lead their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Accountant

An Accountant is responsible for the management of a company's financial records. This course can help current and aspiring Accountants build the skills and knowledge necessary to manage a company's finances, and to ensure that the company is complying with all applicable financial regulations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accountant

Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager is responsible for the management of a company's human resources, including recruiting, hiring, and training employees. This course can help current and aspiring Human Resources Managers build the skills and knowledge necessary to manage a company's human capital, and to ensure that the company has the right people in the right roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Information Technology Manager

An Information Technology Manager is responsible for the management of a company's information technology systems and resources. This course can help current and aspiring Information Technology Managers build the skills and knowledge necessary to manage and maintain a company's IT systems, and to ensure that the company's IT systems are aligned with the company's business goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Manager

Lawyer

A Lawyer provides legal advice to individuals and organizations, and helps them to resolve legal issues. This course may be helpful for Lawyers as it provides an overview of the key legal issues that startups face, including intellectual property, contracts, and employment law. This course can help current and aspiring Lawyers build the skills and knowledge necessary to provide legal advice to startups and other small businesses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

Consultant

A Consultant provides advice and services to help businesses improve their performance. This course can help current and aspiring Consultants build the skills and knowledge necessary to identify and solve business problems, and to develop and implement solutions that improve business performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Entrepreneurship II: Preparing for Launch.

Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...

Save

Provides a step-by-step guide to building a successful startup using the Lean Startup methodology. It covers topics such as customer development, product-market fit, and agile development.

The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...

Hardcover

The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...

Kindle Edition

Traction

Save

Practical guide to acquiring customers for your startup. It covers topics such as search engine optimization, social media marketing, and content marketing.

Traction: How Any Startup Can Achieve Explosive...

Hardcover

(Français) Traction - Comment toute start-up peut développer...

Kindle Edition

(Italiano) Traction. Le strategie vincenti per ottenere una...