Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

University of Cambridge

Researcher to Innovator and Entrepreneur

University of Cambridge via edX

Overview

Society has a growing range of big problems that need solutions which are novel and affordable. By developing the mindset and learning the skills associated with innovation and entrepreneurship, you can apply these to create real world impact in any future career - whether it is in academia, in industry or government or as a founder of a business.

This course was developed by the p2i consortium, a group of prominent research institutions and global businesess, led by University of Cambridge. This course demystifies the entrepreneurial process to start a business and highlights similarities between researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs.

  • The course is designed to support researchers gain the mindset and skills to spot opportunities and have the capacity to act on these with confidence, whether that’s in relation to pursuing an academic career, a policy intervention , a commercial opportunity or other means of bringing their research out into the wider world to have an impact.

  • The course is equally suitable for individuals who want to learn about innovation and entrepreneurship and are very short of time and cannot easily gain this knowledge through attending numerous workshops and seminars. ****

  • The course provides a powerful combination of content, examples, relatable role models all in one place and in a structured way. ****

  • The course features insights from successful researchers turned academics, founders, and industry leaders.

  • The course includes exercises to reinforce learning. The outputs of the exercises help articulate the value and impact of research or business ideas, and will increase learners’ confidence and credibility to turn their ideas into reality.

Syllabus

Innovators in training

  • Course Introduction
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • Traits and Characteristics of Innovators and Entrepreneurs
  • Perspectives on importance of entrepreneurial mindset and innovation

Behaviours of innovators and entrepreneurs

  • Dispel myths about of entrepreneurship
  • Choosing Entrepreneurship
  • Opportunity alertness and intention
  • The importance of teams
  • Key team characteristics
  • Networking

Become entrepreneurs

  • Introduction to Unit on Ideas and opportunities
  • Origin of Opportunity
  • Tapping into your creativity
  • How to describe an idea in commercial/value terms
  • Validating your opportunity
  • Assessing current stage of development of the technology/idea
  • Is your technology/product/service better than competition?

From opportunity to action

  • Validating Commercial potential
  • Mapping your customers, accessing them
  • Understanding value chains in different sectors
  • Revenue streams and business models
  • Developing a pitch and pitching

Entrepreneurship in practice

  • Setting up a business, Shareholding, Articles
  • Building your organisation and identifying the necessary skills and capabilities
  • Structure your development and release plans
  • Resourcing
  • Knowing and presenting your numbers - basics in finance and accounting

Make it happen

  • Awareness of Intellectual property (IP)
  • Planning for IP management
  • Fundraising
  • Engaging with your local entrepreneurial ecosystem

Pursue a career beyond academia

  • What are industry, gov and public sector looking for in post-docs
  • Innovation in industry
  • How to connect with Industry
  • Transferable skills

Continue as academic innovators

  • Enterprising in academia
  • Impact from non-academic collaborations
  • Tools for writing compelling funding applications
  • Creating opportunities in academia
  • Networking and connecting to Industry

Reviews

Start your review of Researcher to Innovator and Entrepreneur

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.