Starting a small business can be very rewarding. This course starts by asking “What is entrepreneurship?” to then begin applying commonly used business planning tools, such as design thinking and business model canvas. Design thinking is a methodology that encourages startups to focus on user-centric products and services. Topics like regulation, intellectual property, funding, and growth are covered as they relate to building startups.

Many of the entrepreneurship opportunities and especially those in emerging markets arise out of necessity, driven to solve a real need or a social problem. Thus emerging markets are often seen as offering huge opportunities for disruptive innovation. Entrepreneurship has contributed to economic growth and has been able to respond to social problems, helping some communities prosper. With the rise of fintech, financial solutions using technologies such as the cloud, blockchain, and machine learning have bypassed or partnered with established financial institutions to serve new markets. We invited some really interesting people in various stages of building their startups to explain their business development. We will be talking with Zlto (a digital currency), Yoco (mobile payments), Proof of Steak (alternative asset investment), and Kuba (a digital ‘middleman’ for small businesses) to name a few. As we will learn, there is no such thing as being ‘ready’ or, choosing the ‘perfect time’ to become an entrepreneur. You are already one, so let’s take the next steps on your entrepreneurial journey by joining your peers around the world on this course. This course is for everyone anywhere, not only those inspired by fintech in emerging markets.