Master Class for Corporate Entrepreneurs (Coursera)

With maturing technologies and aging product portfolios requiring established companies to create, develop, and sustain innovative new businesses, graduates of the Master Class will develop an understanding of how to create new businesses and initiatives within the corporate environment. In collaboration with our award-winning faculty, and a vibrant peer group, learners will explore and apply the skills, tools, and best practices for:

• Identifying and developing the entrepreneurial opportunities;

• Building business models;

• Creating strategies for leading innovation; and

• Financing and profiting from innovation.

The Master Class experience is differentiated from typical Coursera courses and MOOCs in that our faculty and staff are actively engaged with learners by providing individual feedback on assignments. Our faculty and staff will review and offer feedback on the major assignment submissions, if you wish, in an effort to assist you in developing and launching your corporate ventures.

Course 5 of 5 in the Corporate Entrepreneurship: Innovating within Corporations Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Identifying and Analyzing the Opportunity

Welcome to the Master Class for Corporate Entrepreneurs. This project-based course is designed to provide you with the resources and tools you need to develop a proposal for your corporate venture. Please study the readings below, which provide you with the materials and resources that you need to complete a successful proposal. We've also re-posted select video lectures from our companion corporate entrepreneurship courses to assist with your development of the new corporate venture proposal.

WEEK 2

Building the Business Model

This module challenges you to develop and apply the Business Model Canvas tool to scope a corporate challenge or opportunity. You will learn how to identify and communicate the nine elements of a business model: Customer Segments, Value Propositions, Channels, Customer Relationships, Revenue Streams, Key Resources, Key Activities, Key Partners, and Cost Structure.

WEEK 3

Crafting Strategies for Innovation Initiatives

This modules focuses on enhancing your understanding of how an internal venture is organized, and how to overcome resistance to your new venture ideas within the company.

WEEK 4

Building the Proposal

This module improves your understanding of how to secure and manage funding for your corporate venture. We will demystify key accounting and financing concepts to give corporate entrepreneurs a guide to developing the business case for their ideas, and securing funding to translate ideas into reality.