free online business plan courses

Free Online Business Courses

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• Free Online Education to Start Your Own Business

Learn How to Start Your Own Business!

Two Ways to Learn:

Enroll : Choose among six entrepreneur courses and earn a Certificate of Completion in just 20 hours from Santa Clara University.  

Browse: 41 topics to find answers to your most immediate business questions. 

MOBI’s 2024-2025 Course Catalog : Open for Enrollment!

Learn how to Start , Manage , and Grow your own business with the free online business courses offered by the My Own Business Institute in the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University.

With 6 NEW sessions of content, 2 NEW courses , and the information you need for every stage of your business all in one place , MOBI is the top choice for free online entrepreneurship education for 2024-2025. Finish a course in just 20 hours!

MOBI's 2024-2025 Courses:

MOBI's courses provide a comprehensive entrepreneurship foundation with Starting a Business , Managing a Business , and Growing a Business . Students can also choose our accelerated Quick Start Entrepreneur , our topic-focused Sales and Marketing Badge Course , and  MOBI On Demand Small Business Essentials , featuring audio and video learning options. (Videos are in English with Spanish subtitles.)  Visit Our Courses to learn more.

All of our curriculum comes packed with accessible , understandable and actionable information and templates, checklists, and tools to simplify the process of launching your business idea.

MOBI On Demand: Audio and Video Learning Options!

If demands on your time leave little time for education, consider MOBI On Demand to learn on the go with our audio and video curriculum! 

MOBI's Small Business Essentials course is entirely available in audio and video. Small Business Essentials  includes 10 topics to  help you get started   starting your own business.

MOBI On Demand video learning is  also available for free on our website by clicking sessions with a "play" symbol (▶️), visiting our MOBI On Demand Videos page or checking out our YouTube channel . MOBI On Demand is available in English, with Spanish subtitles for the video option.

Why Is MOBI Free, and How Does it Work?

MOBI's content and curriculum are free, for everyone, forever, thanks to the generosity of our founders Phil & Peggy Holland. The mission at the My Own Business Institute (MOBI) is to start businesses that create jobs and build communities by providing education to aspiring entrepreneurs around the world. Read more about the Holland's lifelong commitment to helping others in Our Story .

Here are the steps you can take to learn with MOBI:

• Visit Our Courses to identify which course is the best fit for you and your business goals.
• Click Enroll Now to create an account in our learning management system, and choose your course.

In addition to the course curriculum, MOBI provides more content on our Resources & Tools page including MOBI blog posts, MOBI alumni Success Stories, and more.

You do not have to enroll to view the MOBI content! The curriculum is also available on our website to make it easy for you to find the information you need. However, in order to earn a Certificate, you do need to be enrolled in a course. 

Have questions? Visit our  Frequently Asked Questions page or send us an email to [email protected] .

MOBI is your FREE starting a business resource!

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10 Free Business Plan Courses [2024]

A meticulously prepared business plan is more than just a document; it is a comprehensive guide, offering clear direction and invaluable insights at every phase of business growth. Whether you are just starting out or already managing a business, mastering the ability to express your business vision, objectives, and strategies is key. Business plans serve multiple purposes: they are essential for securing funding, guiding internal operations, and setting a strategic course for future growth. They detail every major aspect of a business, from organizational structure and market positioning to financial forecasts and marketing strategies.

Courses on drafting business plans provide crucial tools for anyone eager to enhance or develop their business planning capabilities. These courses cover various topics for building a comprehensive business plan, including market analysis, financial modeling, and competitive strategy. They also provide practical guidance on presenting your plan to stakeholders and investors, ensuring your business objectives meet their expectations. By participating in these courses, learners gain the expertise to transform innovative ideas into structured plans capable of driving real business results. Whether starting a small business or scaling an existing one, these free courses equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to create a robust, dynamic business plan tailored to your unique business needs.

1.  Your Business Plan Matters

Platform: Udemy

Duration: 34 minutes

Review:  “Your Business Plan Matters” on Udemy is specifically designed for authors looking to align their career aspirations with actionable business plans strategically. This short course provides an engaging and practical framework for authors to design a business that suits their lifestyle, not vice versa. It encourages participants to thoroughly evaluate various components of their author’s business, from market positioning to revenue models, enabling them to identify gaps and areas needing improvement. The course enhances critical thinking and strategic planning capabilities, providing authors with the necessary tools to create a well-defined and persuasive business plan playbook that delineates the steps needed to reach their career aspirations.

2.  Small Business: The Business Plan

Platform: Alison

Duration: 1.5-3 hours

Review:  “Small Business: The Business Plan” offered by Alison is an in-depth course that immerses new entrepreneurs in formulating a comprehensive business plan. It explores the entire business plan creation process, from initial idea to full execution, focusing on selecting appropriate funding strategies for different business models. Participants will explore various financing options, the benefits and hurdles of franchising, and effective approaches for business management and cost efficiency. Additionally, the course includes practical advice on navigating the complexities of starting up, including managing initial costs and projecting future financial scenarios. This course is structured to teach entrepreneurs about the theoretical aspects of business planning and apply these concepts in real-world contexts, preparing them to successfully manage and grow their startups.

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3.  Business Plan Writing 101

Platform:  Wharton School, YouTube

Duration: Self-paced

Review:  “Business Plan Writing 101,” presented by Patrick FitzGerald at the Wharton School on YouTube, is an insightful workshop that delves into the essentials of crafting an effective business plan. The course provides a pragmatic approach to business planning, emphasizing the critical components of a compelling plan. Participants will learn from FitzGerald’s extensive experience managing DreamIt Ventures, exploring the key requirements and common pitfalls in business plan writing. The workshop covers the strategic structuring of business plans, financial forecasting, market analysis, and how to articulate a clear business model and value proposition. This course is ideal for entrepreneurs who seek to understand the nuances of venture planning and the expectations of investors and stakeholders in the startup ecosystem.

4.  Plan your Business

Duration:  1.15 hours

Review:  “Plan your Business” on Udemy offers an in-depth look into developing a robust business model and canvas that aligns with modern entrepreneurial standards. This course unpacks the Value Proposition design and explores the evolution of the entrepreneur and organizational structures within startups. Participants will develop a robust grasp of the essential concepts needed to effectively maneuver through the business landscape, focusing on the responsibilities of a founder and the organizational dynamics within new businesses. Through modules that discuss business model innovation and organizational design, participants will learn to develop a business canvas that encapsulates their business’s unique aspects and strategic goals. This course particularly benefits aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to refine their business concepts and enhance their strategic planning capabilities.

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5.  The Complete How To Write Business Plan Course

Platform: Young Entrepreneurs Forum, YouTube

Review:  “The Complete How To Write Business Plan Course” provided by the Young Entrepreneurs Forum on YouTube is an extensive resource designed to guide beginners through the initial crucial step of understanding the purpose of a business plan. This free business plan course offers a systematic approach to business plan writing, starting with identifying the plan’s objective, which is essential for structuring a coherent and focused document. Participants will learn how to outline their business’s goals, strategies, and financial forecasts persuasively and practically. The course addresses crucial components like market analysis, organizational structuring, and the development of products or services, all aimed at enabling learners to convey their business vision to stakeholders and investors effectively.

6.  How to Create a Simple Business Plan in Hours

Duration:  1.25 hours

Review:  “How to Create a Simple Business Plan in Hours” on Udemy is a targeted course designed to demystify the business plan creation. This course simplifies the elements of a business plan into digestible sections, making the information accessible even to those new to business planning. Participants will explore a business plan, why it’s crucial, and how to efficiently create one to meet immediate business needs. The course emphasizes clarity, simplicity, and effectiveness, guiding learners through developing clear business objectives, conducting market research, and devising strategies for growth. Additionally, the course provides insights into effective communication strategies to present business plans in a way that resonates with potential investors or internal teams.

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7.  Business Planning: How to Write Your Business Plan (Canada)

Platform:  Alison

Duration:  2-3 hours

Review:  “Business Planning: How to Write Your Business Plan (Canada),” offered by Alison, provides budding entrepreneurs and small business owners with the tools and insights necessary to craft a detailed business plan tailored to the Canadian market. The course thoroughly explores vital aspects of a business plan, including market research, operational strategies, and financial forecasting. It is designed to guide learners through interactive lessons on drafting and refining their business strategies, focusing on understanding Canada’s regulatory and business environment. Participants will gain practical skills in structuring their business plans to appeal to Canadian investors and regulatory bodies, making it an invaluable resource for anyone starting a business in Canada.

8.  Business Planning Foundations

Duration: 32 minutes

Review:  “Business Planning Foundations” on Udemy offers a concise yet thorough exploration of the fundamental aspects of business planning. This course covers critical strategies for defining your business’s product or service offerings and outlines how to articulate the solutions your business provides. Learners will discover how to develop a comprehensive revenue model and go-to-market strategy and design a detailed product or service development roadmap. This course is particularly effective for entrepreneurs who need a quick yet robust foundation in business planning, providing actionable insights that can be immediately applied to any startup or business initiative.

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9.  Nuts and Bolts of Business Plans

Platform:  MIT OpenCourseWare, YouTube

Review:  “Nuts and Bolts of Business Plans,” presented by MIT OpenCourseWare on YouTube, offers a practical guide to the essential elements of crafting a business plan. This course provides insights into the practical dos and don’ts of business plan preparation, emphasizing what to include to enhance the likelihood of funding success and operational viability. It addresses vital aspects such as pinpointing your target audience, comprehending their requirements, and clearly explaining how your business intends to fulfill those needs. Additionally, the course discusses strategies for effectively presenting your plan to investors, including tips on articulating your value proposition and defending your business model. This course is an essential asset for entrepreneurs committed to starting and running successful businesses.

10.  Making a Business Plan that Investors like

Duration: 1.15 hours

Review:  “Making a Business Plan that Investors Like” on Udemy is designed to help entrepreneurs create compelling business plans that appeal to potential investors. This course leads participants through an exhaustive SWOT analysis, helping them pinpoint the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to their business endeavors. It also covers financial forecasting, including profit and loss forecasts, cash flow forecasts, and capital spending plans. By the end of the course, learners will know how to edit and finalize their business plans to ensure clarity and professionalism, and they will learn strategies for effectively selling their business plans to stakeholders and investors.

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Acquiring expertise in business planning is critical for any entrepreneur striving to succeed. The free courses highlighted in this article offer a comprehensive toolkit for crafting detailed and effective business plans that cover everything from financial forecasts to marketing strategies. By taking these courses, learners gain valuable insights and practical tools from seasoned professionals, equipping them to transform business ideas into actionable plans. Don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your strategic skills—start one of these free courses today and take a significant step toward securing your business’s future.

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