Innovation: From Creativity to Entrepreneurship Specialization

Innovate in a Connected World. Learn about frameworks to manage and innovate in uncertainty

About This Specialization

In a world characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, leaders require innovation skills. Thinking flexibly and developing an entrepreneurial mindset are critical to thriving in uncertain business environments. This specialization addresses how to recognize and question assumptions and constraints so as to identify and capitalize on opportunities. Innovation is needed within existing organizations and to found new organizations. Learning to change the rules of the game by creating innovative value propositions and discovering new market positions for sustained competitive advantage are some of the actionable lessons in this specialization. This specialization will be of value to both aspiring and practicing entrepreneurs as well as employees in established firms who are interested in becoming innovative leaders in an interconnected world.

Created by:

7 courses

Follow the suggested order or choose your own.

Projects

Designed to help you practice and apply the skills you learn.

Certificates

Highlight your new skills on your resume or LinkedIn.

Projects Overview

The capstone for the specialization will provide a learning experience that integrates across all the courses within it. It will involve analysis of a situation concerning a new enterprise – a venture of one’s own or within a larger organization – to develop the current business model and compare against alternative business models so as to identify potential opportunities and challenges.

Courses

Beginner Specialization.: No prior experience required.

COURSE 1
Strategic Innovation: Building and Sustaining Innovative Organizations
Upcoming session: May 28
Subtitles
English
About the Course
Innovation strategy is about creating unique value for consumers by delivering a great product that satisfies their needs and capturing value back from consumers. At the core of a successful innovation strategy is a great product concept. Produ
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 2
Strategic Innovation: Managing Innovation Initiatives
Upcoming session: Jun 4
Commitment
3-4 hours a week of study, including watching videos, doing the readings, and completing assessment
Subtitles
English
About the Course
You may have noticed that what is new often behaves differently than what has become accepted over time, whether it is in a market, or a technology, or involves people and firms. Much research supports these general ideas, and this course builds on
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 3
Creativity Toolkit I: Changing Perspectives
Upcoming session: May 30
Subtitles
English
About the Course
Thinking and doing the same things faster and better is not enough; we need creativity. Fortunately, creativity is a skill you can learn. This course will examine when, why, and how we can be creative. It examines the cues that trigger us to consid
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 4
Creativity Toolkit II: Creative Collaboration
Upcoming session: May 28
Subtitles
English
About the Course
Creativity requires us to collaborate with others. This course is designed to make you a better creative collaborator. Creativity can require us to bring together knowledge from different areas, often known by different people. We need to foster e
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 5
Entrepreneurship I: Principles and Concepts
Upcoming session: Jun 4
Subtitles
English
About the Course
This course will explore the earlier stages of the entrepreneurial venture process across four modules. The modules will examine the nature of growth and error in entrepreneurial settings and how to manage resources in those settings. In addit
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 6
Entrepreneurship II: Practices and Approaches
Upcoming session: Jun 4
Subtitles
English
About the Course
This course builds on previous concepts and outlines strategies and tactics for forming, financing and launching a new venture. Topics to be addressed will include building the new venture’s initial management team, identifying and reaching out
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 7
Innovation: From Creativity to Entrepreneurship Capstone
Upcoming session: Jun 4
Subtitles
English
About the Course
The capstone for the specialization will provide a learning experience that integrates across all the courses within it. It will involve analysis of a situation concerning a new enterprise – a venture of one’s own or within a larger organization – to dev
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.

Creators

Founded in 1867, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign pioneers innovative research that tackles global problems and expands the human experience.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty and alumni. Illinois serves the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions to critical societal needs.

Raj Echambadi
Alan J. and Joyce D. Baltz Professor | Sr. Associate Dean for Strategic Innovation
Jeff Flesher
PhD
Jeffrey Loewenstein
Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior
Jack Goncalo
Professor
Patrick James Murphy
Visiting Professor
Thomas E. Parkinson
Visiting Professor
E. Geoffrey Love
Associate Professor