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Learn new concepts from industry experts
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Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 9 modules in this course
This course is structured to provide students with an opportunity to practice the process of starting a venture, and learn to grow, and sustain innovative businesses. It begins with cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and progresses through design thinking, customer discovery, and strategic financial planning. Each module is designed to build on the previous, incorporating elements like global market positioning and ethical business practices. Students will conclude the course by learning to effectively communicate their business ideas through compelling pitches aimed at securing funding and driving business growth. All students will form teams of 3-4 students and undertake a project intended to become a real business.
Welcome to New Technology Ventures! This course is structured to provide students with an opportunity to practice the process of starting a venture, and learn to grow, and sustain innovative businesses. It begins with cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and progresses through design thinking, customer discovery, and strategic financial planning. Each module is designed to build on the previous, incorporating elements like global market positioning and ethical business practices. Students will conclude the course by learning to effectively communicate their business ideas through compelling pitches aimed at securing funding and driving business growth. All students will form teams of 3-4 students and undertake a project intended to become a real business. This module introduces students to the foundational concepts of innovation, focusing on the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset and design thinking. Learners will explore real-world examples to examine how ethics and innovation are linked in business success.
Developing the Entrepreneurial Mindset Quiz•15 minutes
Ethics in Entrepreneurship Quiz•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Meet and Greet Discussion•10 minutes
Module 2: Team Building, Company Values, and Cofounder Relationships
Module 2•7 hours to complete
Module details
Learn to build high-performance teams and establish company values that reflect the startup’s mission and market strategy. This module also addresses the nuances of cofounder relationships, providing strategies for conflict resolution and collaborative success.
What's included
7 videos5 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 57 minutes
Module 2 Introduction•5 minutes
Team Assembly, Finding Co-Founders and Building a Team - Part 1•12 minutes
Team Assembly, Finding Co-Founders and Building a Team - Part 2•7 minutes
Cultivating Company Values - Part 1•8 minutes
Cultivating Company Values - Part 2•5 minutes
Managing Cofounder Dynamics - Part 1•12 minutes
Managing Cofounder Dynamics -Part 2•8 minutes
5 readings•Total 200 minutes
Module 2 Introduction Reading•10 minutes
Team Assembly [Finding Co-Founders and Building a Team]•60 minutes
Cultivating Company Values•60 minutes
Managing Cofounder Dynamics•60 minutes
Module 2 Summary•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
Module 2 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Team Assembly [Finding Co-Founders and Building a Team] Quiz•15 minutes
Cultivating Company Values Quiz•15 minutes
Managing Cofounder Dynamics Quiz•15 minutes
Module 3: Idea Generation and Design Thinking
Module 3•7 hours to complete
Module details
Students apply design thinking and AI tools to generate, develop, and refine innovative business ideas. This module emphasizes practical applications while seeking to solve real-world problems.
What's included
7 videos6 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 53 minutes
Module 3 Introduction•3 minutes
Fundamentals of Design Thinking - Part 1•7 minutes
Fundamentals of Design Thinking - Part 2•3 minutes
Applying Ideation Techniques - Part 1•11 minutes
Applying Ideation Techniques - Part 2•9 minutes
Prototyping and Feedback - Part 1•9 minutes
Prototyping and Feedback - Part 2•10 minutes
6 readings•Total 210 minutes
Module 3 Introduction Reading•10 minutes
Fundamentals of Design Thinking•60 minutes
Applying Ideation Techniques•60 minutes
Feedback and Prototyping •60 minutes
Module 3 Summary•10 minutes
Insights from an Industry Leader: Learn More About Our Program•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
Module 3 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Fundamentals of Design Thinking Quiz•15 minutes
Applying Ideation Techniques Quiz•15 minutes
Feedback and Prototyping Quiz•15 minutes
Module 4: Market Research, Competition, and Positioning with a Global Perspective
Module 4•7 hours to complete
Module details
This module equips students with the skills to perform thorough market research and develop strategies for entering competitive global markets. It covers practical tools for analyzing competitors, understanding market dynamics, and consumer behavior.
What's included
7 videos5 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 51 minutes
Module 4 Introduction•2 minutes
Conducting Effective Market Research - Part 1•8 minutes
Conducting Effective Market Research - Part 2•7 minutes
Analyzing the Competitive Environment - Part 1•10 minutes
Analyzing the Competitive Environment - Part 2•7 minutes
Global Market Positioning - Part 1•9 minutes
Global Market Positioning - Part 2•7 minutes
5 readings•Total 200 minutes
Module 4 Introduction Reading•10 minutes
Conducting Effective Market Research•60 minutes
Analyzing the Competitive Environment•60 minutes
Global Market Positioning•60 minutes
Module 4 Summary•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
Module 4 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Conducting Effective Market Research Quiz•15 minutes
Analyzing the Competitive Environment Quiz•15 minutes
Global Market Positioning Quiz•15 minutes
Module 5: Business Models and Value Propositions with Regulatory and Legal Frameworks
Module 5•7 hours to complete
Module details
This module focuses on developing innovative business models with consideration of legal and regulatory requirements, preparing students to craft business models that address real customer needs. Lessons include practical applications using the Lean Canvas and strategies for intellectual property protection.
What's included
8 videos5 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 53 minutes
Module 5 Introduction•3 minutes
Creating Business Models - Part 1•9 minutes
Creating Business Models - Part 2•7 minutes
Value Proposition Design - Part 1•5 minutes
Value Proposition Design - Part 2•7 minutes
Navigating Regulatory and Legal Landscapes - Part 1•8 minutes
Navigating Regulatory and Legal Landscapes - Part 2•11 minutes
Navigating Regulatory and Legal Landscapes - Part 3•4 minutes
5 readings•Total 200 minutes
Module 5 Introduction Reading•10 minutes
Creating Business Models•60 minutes
Value Proposition Design•60 minutes
Navigating Regulatory and Legal Landscapes•60 minutes
Module 5 Summary•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
Module 5 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Creating Business Models Quiz•15 minutes
Value Proposition Design Quiz•15 minutes
Navigating Regulatory and Legal Landscapes Quiz•15 minutes
Module 6: Customer Discovery and Prototyping
Module 6•7 hours to complete
Module details
This module equips students with the skills to engage deeply with potential customers through interviews and prototype engagement. Students will learn how to conduct iterative cycles of customer feedback, applying insights to refine their solutions, thereby achieving problem-solution fit.
What's included
9 videos5 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
9 videos•Total 55 minutes
Module 6 Introduction•2 minutes
Customer Discovery Techniques - Part 1•6 minutes
Customer Discovery Techniques - Part 2•6 minutes
Customer Discovery Techniques - Part 3•9 minutes
Iterative Prototyping - Part 1•8 minutes
Iterative Prototyping - Part 2•5 minutes
Validating Problem - Solution Fit - Part 1•8 minutes
Validating Problem - Solution Fit - Part 2•7 minutes
Validating Problem - Solution Fit - Part 3•4 minutes
5 readings•Total 200 minutes
Module 6 Introduction Reading•10 minutes
Customer Discovery Techniques•60 minutes
Iterative Prototyping•60 minutes
Validating Problem - Solution Fit•60 minutes
Module 6 Summary•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
Module 6 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Customer Discovery Techniques Quiz•15 minutes
Iterative Prototyping Quiz•15 minutes
Validating Problem - Solution Fit Quiz•15 minutes
Module 7: Financial Planning and Modelling
Module 7•8 hours to complete
Module details
Students will learn to develop financial plans and models that illustrate potential growth and scalability for startup ventures. This module covers various strategies for securing startup funding, including venture capital, angel investment, and crowdfunding.
What's included
12 videos5 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
12 videos•Total 86 minutes
Module 7 Introduction•2 minutes
Basics of Financial Planning - Part 1•10 minutes
Basics of Financial Planning - Part 2•10 minutes
Basics of Financial Planning - Part 3•7 minutes
Financial Modeling Techniques - Part 1•8 minutes
Financial Modeling Techniques - Part 2•6 minutes
Financial Modeling Techniques - Part 3•7 minutes
Financial Modeling Techniques - Part 4•8 minutes
Funding Strategies and Investor Relations - Part 1•6 minutes
Funding Strategies and Investor Relations - Part 2•5 minutes
Funding Strategies and Investor Relations - Part 3•10 minutes
Funding Strategies and Investor Relations - Part 4•7 minutes
5 readings•Total 200 minutes
Module 7 Introduction Reading•10 minutes
Basics of Startup Finance•60 minutes
Financial Modeling Techniques•60 minutes
Funding Strategies and Investor Relations•60 minutes
Module 7 Summary•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
Module 7 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Basics of Startup Finance Quiz•15 minutes
Financial Modeling Techniques Quiz•15 minutes
Funding Strategies and Investor Relations Quiz•15 minutes
Module 8: Pitching, Storytelling and Sales Basics
Module 8•7 hours to complete
Module details
Students will demonstrate the ability to craft and deliver compelling pitches, utilizing storytelling to effectively communicate business value, generate sales, and secure investment.
What's included
8 videos5 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 57 minutes
Module 8 Introduction•2 minutes
Crafting Compelling Pitches - Part 1•7 minutes
Crafting Compelling Pitches - Part 2•6 minutes
Storytelling in Business Communication - Part 1•6 minutes
Storytelling in Business Communication - Part 2•7 minutes
Storytelling in Business Communication - Part 3•9 minutes
Delivering Pitches and Closing Sales - Part 1•10 minutes
Delivering Pitches and Closing Sales - Part 2•10 minutes
5 readings•Total 200 minutes
Module 8 Introduction Reading•10 minutes
Storytelling in Business Communication•60 minutes
Crafting Compelling Pitches•60 minutes
Sales 101 and Entrepreneurial Selling•60 minutes
Module 8 Summary•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
Module 8 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Storytelling in Business Communication Quiz•15 minutes
Crafting Compelling Pitches Quiz•15 minutes
Sales 101 and Entrepreneurial Selling Quiz•15 minutes
Summative Course Assessment
Module 9•3 hours to complete
Module details
This module contains the summative course assessment that has been designed to evaluate your understanding of the course material and assess your ability to apply the knowledge you have acquired throughout the course.
What's included
1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 assignment•Total 180 minutes
Summative Course Assessment•180 minutes
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Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by Illinois Tech. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
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Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by Illinois Tech. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
Illinois Tech is a top-tier, nationally ranked, private research university with programs in engineering, computer science, architecture, design, science, business, human sciences, and law. The university offers bachelor of science, master of science, professional master’s, and Ph.D. degrees—as well as certificates for in-demand STEM fields and other areas of innovation. Talented students from around the world choose to study at Illinois Tech because of the access to real-world opportunities, renowned academic programs, high value, and career prospects of graduates.
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Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.