A startup is a new business that provides a unique product or service or delivers an existing product or service in an innovative way. While many startup companies fail, some of the most important tech companies shaping our daily lives began as startups, including Google, Facebook, and Tesla. And with new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and biotechnology creating previously-unthinkable business opportunities, it’s only a matter of time before the next world-changing entrepreneurial venture emerges.

Launching a successful startup company begins with having the right idea at the right time, inspired by an “innovation mindset” that searches out new possibilities for disruption in our current way of living or doing business. However, entrepreneurship requires much more than a creative vision. Especially in the early stages of a startup, founders must learn to work across virtually every area of a company.

Entrepreneurship requires a keen business sense, from the development of a workable business model to a viable exit strategy. Founders must also be skilled at marketing, with the ability to create an impactful slide deck and deliver a compelling elevator pitch to potential investors. They must be able to navigate the world of startup finance, with an understanding of how to establish a valuation for their company as well as the pros and cons of bootstrapping versus venture capital versus private equity. And, as with any business leader, successful entrepreneurs need great people skills to recruit and manage the right talent as their startup grows.‎

If you’ve got an idea that can change the world, learning the myriad of entrepreneurship skills you need to launch a successful startup company can be a gateway to an exciting and rewarding career. However, becoming a famous and wealthy entrepreneur like Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg isn’t easy - it requires extraordinary passion and a tireless work ethic, as well as the determination to keep going through the inevitable hard times.

Aspiring entrepreneurs also have a lot of competition. According to the National Venture Capital Association’s annual yearbook, over 10,000 startup companies in the U.S. received $133 billion in funding from venture capital firms in 2019 - including nearly 4,000 early-stage startups. When you factor in additional U.S. startups funded through other financing channels, not to mention startups in other countries around the world, it’s clear that we live in a time of incredible possibilities for innovation as well as tens or even hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide working to make them a reality.‎

Absolutely! Coursera gives you the opportunity to learn about every stage of the startup journey, from cultivating an innovation mindset to developing your exit strategy. You can take courses as well as Specializations spanning multiple courses from top-ranked schools including University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Michigan State University, and London Business School. The flexible schedule and low cost of learning online also makes Coursera a great choice for picking up skills in computer science, marketing, or anything else you need to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.‎