Starting a startup has become something people talk about more and more, but you need to learn certain basics. I learned how to create a business plan, find a business model, clearly identify customers, etc. One of the things that helped me tie my ideas together and learn: MOOCs!
MOOCs are online courses (Massive Open OnLine Courses) that allow you to learn and even obtain certifications or degrees. The courses are offered in medium-length videos (5 to 20 minutes on average) supported by books and articles that detail the studied themes in depth… Generally in English, they are taught by recognized professors in institutions. You progress at your own pace with 2 to 5 hours per week. Just your computer, your course, and you. You can read, re-read, re-watch: it’s up to you to decide how you do it and at what speed. You just have to respect the deadlines!
Returning to entrepreneurship, there are more and more courses on the subject, the startup environment, and digital. I am proposing 4 of them. I have completed some, and after a visit and a small analysis on the web, here is my ranking (which is based solely on my personal opinion and experience). I hope they will help you improve your knowledge.
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”#1 « Launching new ventures » from the Ecole fédérale Polytechnique de Lausanne (Coursera) – French / English” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:26|text_align:justify|color:%23dd3333″][vc_column_text]
This MOOC I participated in is intended to provide a simple but “straight” theoretical and practical course on entrepreneurship. However, it has an orientation for technology-oriented startups. It is intended for everyone: professionals, entrepreneurs, and students. The courses are precise with exercises and case studies. There are also interviews with entrepreneurs both in Africa and worldwide that make it more interesting and realistic. For the session I attended, one of the speakers was Alexandre Castel (winner of ICI – Startup Competition Ivory Coast).
Link >>> here
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”#2 « Developing innovative ideas for new companies, the first step in entrepreneurship », from the University of Maryland (Coursera) – English” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:26|text_align:justify”][vc_column_text]
It is ranked among the 50 most popular MOOCs of all time by the Online Course Report. This program from the University of Maryland shows how to transform a great idea into a coherent business project (because it is sometimes difficult to implement). Business plan, finding capital… in 4 weeks of courses in English, you will have a panoramic view of the subject. Link >>> here
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”#3 « Créer et développer une startup technologique » from École Polytechnique & HEC Paris (Coursera) – French” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:26|text_align:justify”][vc_column_text]
For all those who wish to launch projects in the very advanced and meticulous field of technology, this MOOC is for you! I followed it to understand the challenges of the technological field. My opinion: it is very interesting and will allow you to identify and evaluate opportunities for creating technological companies and understand the main human, technical, commercial, environmental, and financial issues. You will thus have solid foundations to create your high-tech company or decide to join one. Courses start on July 11th, so if you are interested, pre-register here
Recommended by an entrepreneurship site, it is a course that has become a reference. I am still waiting to do it, but people say a lot of good things about it. It lasts five weeks and can be validated by a certificate.
