Innovative Business Specialization: Online course by univ of Maryland

Updated: Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 3:40 [IST]

University of Maryland is offering free online course in Entrepreneurship: Launching an Innovative Business Specialization. The course explores students to identify opportunities based on real customer needs and go ahead to create a successful company.

Innovative Business Specialization: Online course

About the course:

This course assists aspiring entrepreneurs to develop great ideas into great companies. Using proven content, methods, and models for new venture opportunity assessment and analysis, students will learn how to enhance their entrepreneurial mindset and develop their functional skill sets to see and act.

The initial steps to create a business plan are examined as well. Our goal is to demystify the startup process, and enables you build skills to identify and act on innovative opportunities in the future.

The course also offers students to experience ideas and techniques explored in the University of Maryland's Online Master of Technology Entrepreneurship.

Syllabus:

Entrepreneurial perspective

What is entrepreneurship?
Who is an entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation
The world's most innovative companies
Types of innovations
Entrepreneurs and strategic decisions
The opportunity analysis canvas

Entrepreneurial mindset, motivations and behaviors

Entrepreneurial mindset
Entrepreneurial motivations
Entrepreneurial behaviours
Risk taking in entrepreneurial decision-making
Risk, uncertainty, and stakeholder involvement

Entrepreneurial mindset, motivations and behaviours

Knowledge conditions
Demand conditions
Industry life cycle
Industry structure
Competitive advantage
Learning curve
Complementary assets
Reputation effects

Customer understanding and business models

Macro changes that increase new venture opportunities
Exploring and satisfying real market needs
Strategic positioning and planning
Value innovation
Opportunity identification
Business modelling
Business planning

Eligibility

Candidates who are interested in learning about innovative idea generation and new venture creation.
Background in business or any specific area is not mandatory.
A desire to build knowledge and capabilities.

Course Details

Starts on : March 16
Course period: 4 weeks

For details click here www.coursera.org