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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

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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

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

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.
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.
Practical guide to acquiring customers for your startup. It covers topics such as search engine optimization, social media marketing, and content marketing.
Provides practical advice on starting and running a successful business. It covers topics such as developing a business plan, marketing your products or services, and managing your finances.
Provides a framework for understanding why large companies often fail to innovate. It covers topics such as disruptive technologies, the innovator's dilemma, and the importance of customer focus.
Provides a framework for developing good strategies. It covers topics such as the elements of a good strategy, the importance of clear goals, and the need for alignment with organizational capabilities.
Provides a practical guide to executing strategies effectively. It covers topics such as setting clear goals, establishing priorities, and creating a culture of accountability.
Provides a comprehensive guide to starting and running a successful startup. It covers topics such as customer development, product-market fit, and financial planning.
Provides a framework for marketing and selling technology products to mainstream customers. It covers topics such as the technology adoption lifecycle, the chasm between early adopters and mainstream customers, and the need for a different marketing strategy for each group.
Provides a comprehensive guide to Lean Six Sigma, a process improvement methodology. It covers topics such as Six Sigma tools and methods, process analysis, and project management.
Provides insights on the consulting methods and techniques used by McKinsey & Company. It covers topics such as problem solving, strategic planning, and organizational change.
Provides a collection of Peter Drucker's most essential writings on management. It covers topics such as leadership, strategy, innovation, and customer focus.

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