This practical course helps aspiring entrepreneurs turn a customer problem into a tested business idea, a workable business model and a small market launch. Learners develop one idea throughout the course and finish with an evidence-based launch proposal.

Course description for the catalogue

Do you have a business idea but need help taking the next step? Innovation for Entrepreneurs guides you through identifying opportunities, understanding customers, testing a solution, working out costs and introducing your product or service to the market. You will use practical examples and short activities to develop your own idea. By the end, you will have a simple business model, a test plan and a 30-day launch plan.

Who should attend

Aspiring entrepreneurs and people starting a small business.

Small business owners improving an existing product, service or process.

Students, freelancers and employees exploring a business opportunity.

Course level and duration

Beginner level. No previous business qualification is required. Suggested duration is 8 hours of structured study, activities and assessment. Real customer interviews or a live pilot may require additional time. Learners may use the supplied fictional case where access to customers is limited, but must label assumptions clearly.

Learning outcomes

Identify a specific customer problem and explain the opportunity it creates.

Compare business ideas using customer value, feasibility and financial potential.

Collect customer evidence without relying on leading questions.

Develop a value proposition and a simple business model.

Design a minimum viable product and a measurable market test.

Calculate contribution, break-even volume and a simple cash forecast.

Prepare a market entry plan and decide whether to proceed, adapt or stop.

Course structure and time allocation

Module 1 Understanding innovation and identifying opportunities — 60 minutes

Module 2 Understanding customers and validating demand — 75 minutes

Module 3 Developing the solution and business model — 75 minutes

Module 4 Testing feasibility and financial viability — 90 minutes

Module 5 Taking the idea to the marketplace — 75 minutes

Final assessment and venture launch assignment — 105 minutes

Welcome unit

Welcome to Innovation for Entrepreneurs. Choose one business idea to work on during this course. It may be a new idea or an improvement to a business you already run. Keep a venture workbook with your answers to the activities. You will use these answers in your final assignment. You do not need to prove that your first idea is perfect. You need to show how evidence helps you improve it.

All prices and case results in this course are fictional learning examples in Botswana pula, shown as P. Replace them with verified information when planning a real business.