10K Women 7: Empowering Female Entrepreneurs Syllabus

Overview: This 10-week beginner-level course is designed to empower women entrepreneurs by building foundational business skills through practical application, peer engagement, and mentorship. Learners will spend approximately 3–4 hours per week, engaging in structured modules that guide them from idea generation to business planning and growth strategies. The course emphasizes accessibility and real-world relevance, culminating in a final project where participants develop and present a validated business concept. Estimated total effort: 30–40 hours.

Module 1: Introduction to Women Entrepreneurship

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Defining entrepreneurship for women
• Understanding barriers and enablers in female-led ventures
• Exploring success stories from diverse regions
• Building confidence and entrepreneurial mindset

Module 2: Ideation and Market Validation

Estimated time: 9 hours

• Generating viable business ideas
• Conducting customer discovery
• Assessing problem-solution fit
• Prototyping and developing a minimum viable product (MVP)

Module 3: Business Planning and Financial Literacy

Estimated time: 9 hours

• Creating a lean business model canvas
• Basics of budgeting and pricing
• Understanding cash flow management
• Accessing funding and equity considerations

Module 4: Leadership, Growth, and Scaling

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Building personal resilience and leadership presence
• Strategies for sustainable business growth
• Networking and accessing mentorship
• Engaging with entrepreneurial communities

Module 5: Final Project

Estimated time: 10 hours

• Developing a comprehensive business concept
• Presenting a validated idea using the business model canvas
• Receiving peer feedback and refining the pitch

Prerequisites

• No prior business experience required
• Basic understanding of English
• Access to the internet and Coursera platform

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Develop a foundational understanding of entrepreneurship tailored for women
• Identify market opportunities and validate business ideas
• Create a lean business model and manage startup finances
• Build confidence in leadership, negotiation, and investor pitching
• Connect with a global network of female entrepreneurs and mentors