• University of Leeds

Starting a Business 1: Vision and Opportunity

Interested in starting a business? This course will help you define your vision and discover opportunities to make it happen.

179,124 enrolled on this course

Starting a Business 1: Vision and Opportunity

179,124 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

A successful business starts with a clear vision and a thorough understanding of the opportunities available to turn that vision into a reality. Whether you have an idea for a future venture or you already have a side-line business whilst studying, this course will help you consider your vision and explore the opportunities available. It will give you the time to plan and help you to start documenting your thoughts in a structured business plan while allowing you to share your ideas with others.

This course is the first in a series of six about ‘starting a business’.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 9 seconds Do you have a dream of starting your own business? Maybe you already have an idea, something you have been nurturing for a while or maybe it’s just a seed that needs cultivating or maybe you are just looking for inspiration. This is the first course in a series of six designed to help you on the journey of entrepreneurship. This course explores the importance of vision and opportunity when starting a business, discovering and creating opportunities essential to the notion of entrepreneurship. There is much debate about whether entrepreneurs discover opportunities, such as spotting a gap in a market or create opportunities from their knowledge or experience.

Skip to 0 minutes and 47 seconds Regardless of how the opportunity comes about, it is vital to have a vision which can be shared with others. Through videos, activities, and quizzes, this series of business courses introduce case studies of young entrepreneurs who are already on the journey. They share their business challenges with you and a panel of business advisors. Through discussion and activities, you have plenty of opportunity to define and work on your business plan as well as helping others.

Skip to 1 minute and 21 seconds Get started on your journey.

Skip to 1 minute and 22 seconds Sign up now to Starting a Business: Vision and Opportunity.

What topics will you cover?

  • The entrepreneurial learning cycle
  • The opportunity business model: the importance of sharing your vision
  • Vision and opportunity in successful businesses
  • Writing a core value proposition
  • Introduction to writing a robust business plan.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Assess the entrepreneurial cycle which underpins the course.
  • Explore the scope for discovering or creating business opportunities.
  • Investigate businesses in your local area.
  • Discuss the entrepreneur’s business challenge: Which business should I start and how?
  • Evaluate and assess a business idea.
  • Produce a business plan within 200 words.
  • Investigate the vision and opportunities for a business plan.

Who is the course for?

This course is part of the Going to University collection which has been specifically designed for students at schools and colleges. They provide a taster of undergraduate study at the University of Leeds and help students to decide which subject to study at university.

Completion of the courses will also enhance students’ university applications.

The courses can also be used as a teachers’ classroom enrichment resource.

Courses in this collection are also great for people that want an introduction in the specific subjects discussed in each course.

Who will you learn with?

Associate Professor in Enterprise at the University of Leeds. Passionate about entrepreneurship. Part of the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies team delivering 'Starting a Business'

Emeritus Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Strathclyde

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 11 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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