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    Which HBS Online Entrepreneurship & Innovation Course Is Right for You?

    Woman entrepreneur on computer in office
    • 01 May 2025
    Ally Heinrich Author Staff
    tag
    • Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy
    • Design Thinking and Innovation
    • Disruptive Strategy
    • Entrepreneurial Marketing
    • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
    • Entrepreneurship Essentials
    • Launching Tech Ventures
    • Leading Change and Organizational Renewal
    • Negotiation Mastery
    • Transforming Customer Experiences
    • Winning with Digital Platforms

    Entrepreneurship and innovation are vital to the economy. Entrepreneurs who start and grow their own businesses create job opportunities, often by uniquely utilizing existing resources or introducing new technologies, products, and services to market. The process promotes research and development by forcing established brands to create innovations that compete with emerging ones. Those results can lead to new divisions or departments, spurring even more job opportunities.

    By studying entrepreneurship and innovation, you can contribute to that growth and equip yourself with the characteristics needed for success. Yet, what “success” looks like depends on your career aspirations. You might want to start your own business or drive growth within an existing organization. Either way, entrepreneurship and innovation skills are essential to helping you take the next step in your career.


    Free E-Book:
    So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur: How to Get Started

    Access your free e-book today.

    DOWNLOAD NOW

    If you’re interested in developing those skills, Harvard Business School Online offers nine courses as part of its Entrepreneurship and Innovation Learning Track that enable you to assess new business opportunities, negotiate deals, harness innovation, and transform your ideas into viable ventures:

    • Entrepreneurship Essentials
    • Disruptive Strategy
    • Design Thinking and Innovation
    • Launching Tech Ventures
    • Negotiation Mastery
    • Winning with Digital Platforms
    • Leading Change and Organizational Renewal
    • Entrepreneurial Marketing
    • Transforming Customer Experiences

    To dive deeper into entrepreneurship and innovation, consider completing three courses within 18 months to earn a Certificate of Specialization in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Earning this advanced certificate will enhance your resume and demonstrate your dedication to continued professional development.

    Here’s an overview of how HBS Online courses can help you achieve your goals, whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or want to drive innovation within your organization.

    Which HBS Online Entrepreneurship and Innovation Course is Right for You? | Download Your Free Flowchart

    Which Entrepreneurship and Innovation Course Is Right for You?

    If You Aspire to Start or Grow Your Own Business

    For new or seasoned entrepreneurs seeking to launch and expand their businesses, start by building the foundational knowledge needed to develop a growth mindset.

    Succeed in the Startup World

    Entrepreneurship Essentials

    There are several skills entrepreneurs need to succeed, depending on where they are in their entrepreneurial journey. If you’re just starting with a kernel of an idea but don’t know how to validate it, Entrepreneurship Essentials is right for you.

    Entrepreneurship Essentials is a four-week online course led by HBS Professor William Sahlman that will teach you the language of the startup world. You’ll explore how entrepreneurs validate concepts through structured experiments, refine their business strategies, and raise the capital necessary to grow their organizations.

    Course Summary:

    • Course Length: 4 weeks
    • Cost: $1,850
    • Review the Syllabus

    Entrepreneurship Essentials | Succeed in the startup world | Learn More

    Earn Your Seat at the Negotiation Table

    Negotiation Mastery

    If you’re already at the fundraising stage and want to secure maximum value and financing from investors and stakeholders, explore Negotiation Mastery.

    Taught by HBS Professor Michael Wheeler, this eight-week online course will equip you with the skills to close deals that might otherwise be deadlocked, craft agile strategies, and resolve differences before they escalate into costly conflicts.

    Course Summary:

    • Course Length: 8 weeks
    • Cost: $1,850
    • Review the Syllabus

    Negotiation Mastery | Earn your seat at the negotiation table | Learn More

    Create Winning Strategies for Your Organization

    Disruptive Strategy

    As you grow your business, it’s vital to understand what causes customers to buy your product or service and how to assess new opportunities and potential threats.

    Our six-week online course, Disruptive Strategy, taught by HBS professors Clayton Christensen and Rory McDonald, will help you discover customer jobs to be done—a framework that uncovers the underlying motivations that influence the buying process—enabling you to create products and services people actually want.

    Course Summary:

    • Course Length: 4 weeks
    • Cost: $1,850
    • Review the Syllabus

    Disruptive Strategy | Create winning strategies for your organization | Learn More

    Build a Viable, Valuable Tech Venture That Can Profitably Scale

    Launching Tech Ventures

    In just five weeks, HBS Professor Jeffrey Bussgang will guide you through the essential frameworks and tools to execute a successful, high-quality business model.

    Launching Tech Ventures will teach you how to create an effective value proposition, define your go-to-market strategy, and leverage strategic experimentation to launch a tech venture that can scale profitability and attract venture capital.

    Course Summary

    • Course Length: 5 weeks
    • Cost: $1,850
    • Review the Syllabus

    Launching Tech Ventures | Build a viable, valuable tech venture that can profitably scale | Learn More

    Explore the Art and Science of Launching Something New

    Entrepreneurial Marketing

    Whether you're starting a new venture or introducing a product or service within an existing company, Entrepreneurial Marketing offers actionable strategies to grow effectively—even with limited data, resources, and budget.

    Taught HBS Professor Christina Wallace, this four-week course delves into how entrepreneurial marketing differs from traditional approaches. You'll develop a powerful entrepreneurial mindset and gain essential tools to transform your innovative ideas into a thriving business.

    Course Summary

    • Course Length: 4 weeks
    • Cost: $1,850
    • Review the Syllabus

    Entrepreneurial Marketing | Explore and execute the art and science of launching something new | Learn More

    If You Aspire to Drive Innovation Within Your Organization

    If you want to gain strategic insights on fostering innovation within your organization, consider enrolling in one of the above courses, which will help you strengthen your change management skills, build foundational and specialized knowledge, and integrate innovative ideas into your workflow—all while gaining fresh perspectives from HBS faculty and industry leaders.

    If your goal is to harness your creative thinking to uncover growth opportunities and tackle business challenges, explore one of our other four courses:

    Uncover Creative Solutions to Your Business Problems

    Design Thinking and Innovation

    To further ensure you create innovative products and services that resonate with your audience, explore Design Thinking and Innovation.

    The seven-week online course, led by HBS Dean Srikant Datar, will teach you how to leverage fundamental design thinking principles and innovative problem-solving tools to address business challenges. You’ll learn how to apply human-centered design and heighten your organization’s approach to innovation.

    Course Summary

    • Course Length: 7 weeks
    • Cost: $1,850
    • Review the Syllabus

    Design Thinking and Innovation | Uncover creative solutions to your business problems | Learn More

    Thrive in the Age of Digital Platforms

    Winning With Digital Platforms

    If you're looking to harness the power of digital platforms to create long-term, scalable strategies for your business, Winning with Digital Platforms is an ideal choice.

    This five-week course taught by HBS Professor Feng Zhu offers in-depth insights into platform-based strategies. Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to effectively manage a platform, leverage network effects for viable growth, tackle common operational challenges, and transition a traditional product or service into a platform model to boost your competitive advantage.

    Course Summary

    • Course Length: 5 weeks
    • Cost: $1,850
    • Review the Syllabus
    Winning with Digital Platforms | Thrive in the age of digital platforms | Learn More

    Lead Your Organization Through Transformational Change

    Leading Change and Organizational Renewal

    If you aim to drive impactful, large-scale change within your organization, this six-week course offers the foundation you need for long-term success.

    Leading Change and Organizational Renewal, led by HBS Professor Michael Tushman and Stanford Graduate School of Business Professor Charles O’Reilly, provides proven frameworks and practical strategies to help you build an ambidextrous organization that can excel today while adapting to future market disruptions.

    Course Summary

    • Course Length: 6 weeks
    • Cost: $1,850
    • Review the Syllabus
    Leading Change and Organizational Renewal | Lead your organization through transformational change | Learn More

    Deliver Exceptional Experiences that Build Customer Loyalty

    Transforming Customer Experiences

    Tailored for leaders across the service industry, Transforming Customer Experiences, taught by HBS Professor Ryan Buell, introduces a systematic approach to delivering standout service.

    Over four weeks, you’ll learn customer-centric tactics that give your organization a competitive edge, equip you to cultivate lasting customer loyalty, and prepare you for the challenges and opportunities of scaling your business.

    Course Summary

    • Course Length: 4 weeks
    • Cost: $1,850
    • Review the Syllabus
    Transforming Customer Experiences | Deliver exceptional experiences that build customer loyalty | Learn More

    If You’re Interested in a Six-Month Program and Ready to Become a Confident Digital Innovator

    Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy

    Our Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy is one of our most dynamic offerings, designed to help you build the skills and mindset to advance in the digital world.

    Throughout this six-month program, you’ll immerse yourself in four courses—Leading in the Digital World, Design Thinking and Innovation, Digital Marketing Strategy, and Winning with Digital Platforms—and a capstone project, equipping you to lead and innovate in today’s rapidly evolving business environment.

    You’ll collaborate in interactive team activities, gain insights from industry-leading experts, and develop a future-focused mindset to navigate digital transformation. You’ll also gain confidence in using digital tools and frameworks to implement business strategies that can adapt to whatever the future market brings.

    Program Summary:

    • Program Length: 6 months
    • Cost: $6,500
    • Review the Syllabus
    Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy | Become a digital innovator and trailblazer | Learn More

    The HBS Online Learning Experience

    No matter which course you take, you'll experience what makes HBS Online unique, including:

    • World-class faculty
    • Self-paced online coursework with deadlines
    • Engaging, interactive content
    • Social interaction with fellow learners
    • Real examples of business challenges faced by experts
    • The HBS Online Community, a global network of business professionals
    • Career growth and a positive return on investment
    7 Characteristics of the HBS Online Learning Experience

    Finding the Right Course for You

    Whether you’re interested in starting your own business or driving innovation within your organization, an online course can help you develop the skills, strategies, and tools to succeed.

    If you still aren’t sure which entrepreneurship and innovation course is the right fit, download our free course flowchart to determine which program aligns best with your goals. Or, if multiple programs interest you, consider pursuing a Learning Track, which enables you to take three courses within the entrepreneurship and innovation subject area.

    This post was updated on May 1, 2025. It was originally published on July 12, 2022.

    About the Author

    Ally Heinrich is a marketing specialist at Harvard Business School Online. With a diverse marketing background, Ally has developed and managed print and digital content for organizations ranging from education, nonprofits, and food and beverage to digital marketing agencies. She earned a B.S. in Public Communication from the University of Vermont. Outside of work, Ally enjoys exploring New England’s food scene, singing her heart out at concerts, and curating playlists spanning all music genres.
     
    All FAQs

    Top FAQs

    How are HBS Online courses delivered?

    +–

    We offer self-paced programs (with weekly deadlines) on the HBS Online course platform.

    Our platform features short, highly produced videos of HBS faculty and guest business experts, interactive graphs and exercises, cold calls to keep you engaged, and opportunities to contribute to a vibrant online community.

    Are HBS Online programs available in languages other than English?

    +–

    We expect to offer our courses in additional languages in the future but, at this time, HBS Online can only be provided in English.

    All course content is delivered in written English. Closed captioning in English is available for all videos. There are no live interactions during the course that requires the learner to speak English. Coursework must be completed in English.

    Do I need to come to campus to participate in HBS Online programs?

    +–

    No, all of our programs are 100 percent online, and available to participants regardless of their location.

    How do I enroll in a course?

    +–

    Certificate Programs

    HBS Online welcomes committed learners wherever they are—in the world and their careers—irrespective of their professional experience or academic background. To extend the reach of HBS Online, we no longer require an application for our certificate programs. (Applications are still required for our credential programs: CORe and CLIMB.) You can now immediately enroll and start taking the next step in your career.

    All programs require the completion of a brief online enrollment form before payment. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before enrolling in the program of your choice.

    Our easy online enrollment form is free, and no special documentation is required. All participants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

    Updates to your enrollment status will be shown on your account page. HBS Online does not use race, gender, ethnicity, or any protected class as criteria for enrollment for any HBS Online program.

    Credential Programs

    HBS Online's CORe and CLIMB programs require the completion of a brief application. The applications vary slightly, but all ask for some personal background information. You can apply for and enroll in programs here. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before starting an application for the program of your choice.

    Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All participants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

    Updates to your application and enrollment status will be shown on your account page. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application for CORe and three weeks for CLIMB. HBS Online does not use race, gender, ethnicity, or any protected class as criteria for admissions for any HBS Online program.

    Does Harvard Business School Online offer an online MBA?

    +–

    No, Harvard Business School Online offers business certificate programs.

    What are my payment options?

    +–

    We accept payments via credit card, wire transfer, Western Union, and (when available) bank loan. Some candidates may qualify for scholarships or financial aid, which will be credited against the Program Fee once eligibility is determined. Please refer to the Payment & Financial Aid page for further information.

    We also allow you to split your payment across 2 separate credit card transactions or send a payment link email to another person on your behalf. If splitting your payment into 2 transactions, a minimum payment of $350 is required for the first transaction.

    In all cases, net Program Fees must be paid in full (in US Dollars) to complete registration.

    What are the policies for refunds and deferrals?

    +–

    After enrolling in a program, you may request a withdrawal with refund (minus a $100 nonrefundable enrollment fee) up until 24 hours after the start of your program. Please review the Program Policies page for more details on refunds and deferrals. If your employer has contracted with HBS Online for participation in a program, or if you elect to enroll in the undergraduate credit option of the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program, note that policies for these options may differ.

     

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