Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Oxford Entrepreneurship: Venture Creation Programme
Delve into the process of creating a venture and acquire the expertise to articulate a compelling value proposition and leadership vision for your business concept.
Start date
06 August 2025
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Programme overview
The UK’s ranking among the top five best countries for entrepreneurship in the world.
U.S. News (2020).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
Launching a new enterprise can be daunting, whether a scalable startup, a niche business venture, or a new initiative within a large corporation. However, with the right skills and insights, you can achieve success. The Oxford Entrepreneurship: Venture Creation Programme provides practical guidance for professionals and business owners at various stages of the entrepreneurial process. It assists participants in their entrepreneurial journey, from identifying market opportunities and developing business models to learning how to launch and pitch their new ventures. The programme covers the essential operational and customer-facing aspects of creating a business model and unpacks activities related to launching a venture and achieving product-market fit. Additionally, the programme offers insights into how to contribute your unique talents and skills while navigating the nuances of forming a founding team.
Is this programme for you?
For individuals planning or already involved in a new business venture, this programme provides comprehensive guidance to assist you throughout the entrepreneurial journey. The programme is particularly beneficial for aspiring or first-time entrepreneurs seeking to develop their business ideas, as they’ll receive support and feedback from leading faculty and like-minded professionals. Participants will gain essential skills for effectively presenting and preparing their venture as they progress through every business stage. Additionally, intrapreneurs within organisations will learn how to capitalise on new opportunities for value creation, creating a competitive advantage by developing new products and services.
This Oxford Entrepreneurship: Venture Creation Programme is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The programme has an estimated 60 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. Oxford Saïd and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Programme overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
Launching a new enterprise can be daunting, whether a scalable startup, a niche business venture, or a new initiative within a large corporation. However, with the right skills and insights, you can achieve success. The Oxford Entrepreneurship: Venture Creation Programme provides practical guidance for professionals and business owners at various stages of the entrepreneurial process. It assists participants in their entrepreneurial journey, from identifying market opportunities and developing business models to learning how to launch and pitch their new ventures. The programme covers the essential operational and customer-facing aspects of creating a business model and unpacks activities related to launching a venture and achieving product-market fit. Additionally, the programme offers insights into how to contribute your unique talents and skills while navigating the nuances of forming a founding team.
Is this programme for you?
For individuals planning or already involved in a new business venture, this programme provides comprehensive guidance to assist you throughout the entrepreneurial journey. The programme is particularly beneficial for aspiring or first-time entrepreneurs seeking to develop their business ideas, as they’ll receive support and feedback from leading faculty and like-minded professionals. Participants will gain essential skills for effectively presenting and preparing their venture as they progress through every business stage. Additionally, intrapreneurs within organisations will learn how to capitalise on new opportunities for value creation, creating a competitive advantage by developing new products and services.
This Oxford Entrepreneurship: Venture Creation Programme is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The programme has an estimated 60 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. Oxford Saïd and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Get this course for your team
Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.
What will set you apart
Guidance throughout the entrepreneurship journey, from idea to pitch.
Essential skills for identifying business opportunities, analysing customer needs, and developing a business model.
A pitch deck for your venture, and the confidence to present your business idea to potential partners or investors.
Access to expert insights from successful entrepreneurs and Oxford faculty, in-depth feedback on your venture pitch, and interactive live sessions.
Unlimited access to both the official Oxford Executive Education Alumni group on LinkedIn and edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Programme curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Identifying business opportunities
Module 2
Understanding your entrepreneurial talents
Module 3
Analysing customers and markets
Module 4
Crafting a business model
Module 5
Launching a venture
Module 6
Pitching a venture
What past students
think
Zahid Hussain
Head of Client Technology, The Chemistry Group
"Great content with great networking potential. Even though the cohort spans across the world we all interacted and became well known to each other. Without a doubt worth the investment."
Programme Director
Dr Thomas Hellmann
DP World Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
About the certificate
Craft a compelling presentation for your business concept and earn an official certificate of attendance from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the programme handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the programme.
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We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
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