Nexford programs are flexibly paced—not self-paced. Study when it works for you, and stay on track with weekly deadlines. Live sessions are optional. Expect to be challenged: and plan to invest at least 10 hours per week. That’s what it takes to build real skills that deliver real career value.
Skills you will learn - and add to your résumé
The MBA in Entrepreneurship builds your skills to develop and grow new ventures. Gain expertise in idea validation, business modeling, and funding to navigate startup challenges and drive sustainable growth.
Develop Startup Strategy
Create business models, evaluate markets, and build sustainable competitive advantage.
Pitch to Investors
Craft compelling pitches and deliver them with clarity, confidence, and financial insight.
Build Product-Market Fit
Validate customer needs and iterate products to align with real market demand.
Execute Go-to-Market Plans
Launch new products using effective pricing, sales, and distribution strategies.
Navigate Legal Essentials
Handle core legal topics like incorporation, contracts, IP, and founder agreements.
Fund a New Venture
Identify funding sources and develop financing strategies tailored to startup stages.
Develop Startup Strategy
Create business models, evaluate markets, and build sustainable competitive advantage.
Pitch to Investors
Craft compelling pitches and deliver them with clarity, confidence, and financial insight.
Build Product-Market Fit
Validate customer needs and iterate products to align with real market demand.
Execute Go-to-Market Plans
Launch new products using effective pricing, sales, and distribution strategies.
Navigate Legal Essentials
Handle core legal topics like incorporation, contracts, IP, and founder agreements.
Fund a New Venture
Identify funding sources and develop financing strategies tailored to startup stages.
Courses in the MBA in Entrepreneurship
You’ll complete 12 courses - made up of required core courses and a selection of electives that you can choose from. Courses are designed to take two months, but you can finish in just one. You’ll begin with one course at a time and can increase your course load as you progress - at no extra cost.
Program Courses
Program Structure
You need 16 courses to complete your MBA in Entrepreneurship
15 core courses
1 capstone project
Core Courses (15 required)
From Idea to Pitch
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the entrepreneurial process, from developing a business concept to the launch of a new venture. Learners will begin by delving into the ideation and validation processes, then progress to learning the framework for creating a business plan and the associated pitch. Learners will gain an understanding of the entire entrepreneurial journey, from idea to pitch, and put some of those steps into practice.
Entrepreneurial Mindset Seminar
This seminar will examine the aspects of an entrepreneurial mindset that founders need to succeed in their start- up businesses. An entrepreneurial mindset is resilient, resourceful, and solutions-oriented. In this seminar course, aspiring entrepreneurs will assess their readiness for the entrepreneurial journey, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and determine what skills and traits they should look for in a co-founding team.
Executing a Vision: Product Design & Development for Entrepreneurs
Learn how to bridge the gap between abstract ideas and tangible products. This course is designed to equip learners with the necessary skills to validate ideas, conduct effective user research, and apply design thinking principles. Learners delve into the creation of personas, story mapping, and prototyping, all crucial elements in the design thinking process. The course also offers an in-depth look into engineering strategies, focusing on decision- making processes such as build vs. buy, and leadership. Learners explore Agile development and SCRUM practices, providing them with a solid foundation in modern, efficient product development methodologies. The course also covers the business aspects of new product development, ensuring learners are well-versed in the complete product lifecycle.
Startup Strategy and Development
This practical course explores the strategies necessary for startups to succeed. Startups are resource-strapped and must be creative and innovative with their ideas, strategies, and actions to drive their business to succeed. This course covers concepts including monetization, profitability, and key success measures among other startup strategies. Learners will apply concepts from this class to their own startup ideas so they can further their strategy development.
Legal Topics for Founders: Navigating the Corporate Landscape
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the legal aspects of founding a company. Learners will explore various legal entities and companies, highlighting their differences and implications for the business. The course will delve into corporate/constitutional documents, such as Articles of Association, and provide a clear understanding of their drafting and amendment processes. A significant portion of this course is dedicated to understanding investor rights, terms, and jargon, and the business impact of each of these elements, including Right of First Refusal (ROFR) and Anti-dilution. The course will also offer an in-depth look into the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) Standards, a set of guidelines most venture capitalists use globally. We will cover topics such as Term Sheets, Subscription/Stock Purchase Agreements, Shareholder agreements, and Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs). Learners will understand how to build and manage capitalization tables and cover core policies like diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Funding for Startup Founders
Funding for Startup Founders provides a comprehensive overview of securing funding to build a startup. This course covers various funding options, including bootstrapping, microloans, bank debt, crowdfunding, angel investment, and venture capital. It also explores strategies for developing a funding plan, preparing accurate financial projections, and delivering a compelling investment pitch.
Achieving Product-Market Fit
arket Fit - As a founder, learners must evaluate customer problems and identify solutions with the right product-market fit. This course will use a lean and agile product strategy and design approaches and processes to validate learners' ideas and implement their vision. In this course, learners will learn how to refine their ideas, define their target customer to ensure product-market fit and set themselves up for long-term success as a founder.
Mastering Personal Marketing & Sales Skills
This seminar course delves into the art of personal marketing, understanding how to present skills and abilities in the most attractive and compelling way. Learners will develop communication skills relevant to selling, including active listening, persuasion, and product knowledge. The course will cover the intricacies of relationship management, and learners will gain insights into objection handling, a critical skill in sales that allows them to address and overcome any potential barriers to a deal. It will identify the importance of persistence, self- motivation, and goal setting in the sales industry, providing them with the tools and strategies to stay motivated and driven, even when faced with rejection or obstacles. Learners will gain a well-rounded understanding and practical skills to market themselves and effectively sell their ideas.
Product Go-to-Market
The course covers crucial elements of go-to-market strategy, including identifying market needs and defining the product-market fit for new product offerings. Learners will gain practical insights into product launch strategies, product positioning, and sales enablement. The course also delves into defining product priorities, understanding market sizing, performing competitive analysis, and developing effective pricing and packaging strategies. The course ensures learners are well-equipped to navigate the dynamic and competitive landscape of product marketing.
Accounting and Financial Reporting
Accounting and Financial Reporting engages learners in applying the principles of corporate finance and accounting to business decision making. Course topics include financial statements and other reports, the basics of financial forecasting and budgeting, accounting analytics, and the communications and vocabulary related to financial statements. Learners reconcile financial transactions and accounting records and examine the implications of international differences in accounting frameworks and financial reporting requirements.
The Art of Communication
What is the number one job skill American and global employees are lacking, according to LinkedIn CEO, Jeff Weiner? Communications. The Art of Communication is designed to strengthen and promote a leadership-driven communications model that extends from an audience-centered communications approach. How do leaders persuade shareholders? How do leaders negotiate with clients and business partners across cultures? How are the psychology and cognitive principles of negotiation influenced by audience awareness? This course introduces learners to a foundation in rhetorical awareness that will transfer through a variety of contexts, including corporate communications, public speaking, negotiation, and a range of executive leadership scenarios. Coursework includes genre analysis, professional writing, presentation design and delivery, and negotiation workshops. Learners interested in developing leadership communications skills in both public and private sectors should attend.
Essential Power Skills for Leaders & Entrepreneurs
This seminar aims to provide leaders and entrepreneurs with soft skills essential for excelling in the dynamic and diverse modern business environment. The program focuses on developing communication, leadership, problem- solving, and adaptability competencies. By the end of the course, participants will have improved their ability to lead their businesses, manage teams effectively, and make informed strategic decisions.
Building and Scaling an Organization
One of the key skills every startup founder needs to know is how to identify, find, and hire the right team to build their business, starting with a co-founder. This course will cover management skills, basic HR skills for founders, key needs for new businesses, and the roles to handle those needs. The course will additionally cover how hiring needs and the organizational chart change as a business matures and scales. Topics include motivating and inspiring employees, leadership development, conflict management, intercultural relations, and change management.
Marketing Strategy
Marketing Strategy focuses on the advanced marketing and leadership skills required in today’s fast-paced technology driven global economy. Learners prepare for roles within the field of marketing and gain a solid understanding of the role of marketing, both in traditional and digital platforms, in defining and maintaining a brand and in meeting business objectives. Learners examine how technology and transformational approaches are critical to developing future-forward marketing strategies. Topics include leadership, strategic partnerships, and negotiating skills that are key contributors to successful business growth and company culture.
Conflict Management & Negotiation Seminar
This seminar course will enhance learners' negotiation skills and build their ability to persuade effectively in both personal and professional contexts. Learners will also learn the art of successfully managing conflict. The course includes class discussions, negotiation assignments, and a practical exercise, allowing learners to identify their own negotiation styles and develop the tools and techniques to manage conflict effectively.
Capstone project (1 required)
Entrepreneurship Capstone
The Entrepreneurship Capstone is a comprehensive course allowing learners the opportunity to apply what they have learned throughout the Entrepreneurship program to create a comprehensive business plan and investor pitch deck for their validated business idea. During this course, learners will enhance their business research skills. As part of their final project, learners will present their business idea. Learners will be evaluated on their business plan, investor pitch, and presentation and will receive feedback on any needed adjustments. By the end of the course, learners will have a strong pitch deck that they can use to pursue funding for a real business, and the presentation skills to properly present their business idea to potential investors or financial institutions.
You need 16 courses to complete your MBA in Entrepreneurship
15 core courses
1 capstone project
From Idea to Pitch
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the entrepreneurial process, from developing a business concept to the launch of a new venture. Learners will begin by delving into the ideation and validation processes, then progress to learning the framework for creating a business plan and the associated pitch. Learners will gain an understanding of the entire entrepreneurial journey, from idea to pitch, and put some of those steps into practice.
Entrepreneurial Mindset Seminar
This seminar will examine the aspects of an entrepreneurial mindset that founders need to succeed in their start- up businesses. An entrepreneurial mindset is resilient, resourceful, and solutions-oriented. In this seminar course, aspiring entrepreneurs will assess their readiness for the entrepreneurial journey, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and determine what skills and traits they should look for in a co-founding team.
Executing a Vision: Product Design & Development for Entrepreneurs
Learn how to bridge the gap between abstract ideas and tangible products. This course is designed to equip learners with the necessary skills to validate ideas, conduct effective user research, and apply design thinking principles. Learners delve into the creation of personas, story mapping, and prototyping, all crucial elements in the design thinking process. The course also offers an in-depth look into engineering strategies, focusing on decision- making processes such as build vs. buy, and leadership. Learners explore Agile development and SCRUM practices, providing them with a solid foundation in modern, efficient product development methodologies. The course also covers the business aspects of new product development, ensuring learners are well-versed in the complete product lifecycle.
Startup Strategy and Development
This practical course explores the strategies necessary for startups to succeed. Startups are resource-strapped and must be creative and innovative with their ideas, strategies, and actions to drive their business to succeed. This course covers concepts including monetization, profitability, and key success measures among other startup strategies. Learners will apply concepts from this class to their own startup ideas so they can further their strategy development.
Legal Topics for Founders: Navigating the Corporate Landscape
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the legal aspects of founding a company. Learners will explore various legal entities and companies, highlighting their differences and implications for the business. The course will delve into corporate/constitutional documents, such as Articles of Association, and provide a clear understanding of their drafting and amendment processes. A significant portion of this course is dedicated to understanding investor rights, terms, and jargon, and the business impact of each of these elements, including Right of First Refusal (ROFR) and Anti-dilution. The course will also offer an in-depth look into the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) Standards, a set of guidelines most venture capitalists use globally. We will cover topics such as Term Sheets, Subscription/Stock Purchase Agreements, Shareholder agreements, and Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs). Learners will understand how to build and manage capitalization tables and cover core policies like diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Funding for Startup Founders
Funding for Startup Founders provides a comprehensive overview of securing funding to build a startup. This course covers various funding options, including bootstrapping, microloans, bank debt, crowdfunding, angel investment, and venture capital. It also explores strategies for developing a funding plan, preparing accurate financial projections, and delivering a compelling investment pitch.
Achieving Product-Market Fit
arket Fit - As a founder, learners must evaluate customer problems and identify solutions with the right product-market fit. This course will use a lean and agile product strategy and design approaches and processes to validate learners' ideas and implement their vision. In this course, learners will learn how to refine their ideas, define their target customer to ensure product-market fit and set themselves up for long-term success as a founder.
Mastering Personal Marketing & Sales Skills
This seminar course delves into the art of personal marketing, understanding how to present skills and abilities in the most attractive and compelling way. Learners will develop communication skills relevant to selling, including active listening, persuasion, and product knowledge. The course will cover the intricacies of relationship management, and learners will gain insights into objection handling, a critical skill in sales that allows them to address and overcome any potential barriers to a deal. It will identify the importance of persistence, self- motivation, and goal setting in the sales industry, providing them with the tools and strategies to stay motivated and driven, even when faced with rejection or obstacles. Learners will gain a well-rounded understanding and practical skills to market themselves and effectively sell their ideas.
Product Go-to-Market
The course covers crucial elements of go-to-market strategy, including identifying market needs and defining the product-market fit for new product offerings. Learners will gain practical insights into product launch strategies, product positioning, and sales enablement. The course also delves into defining product priorities, understanding market sizing, performing competitive analysis, and developing effective pricing and packaging strategies. The course ensures learners are well-equipped to navigate the dynamic and competitive landscape of product marketing.
Accounting and Financial Reporting
Accounting and Financial Reporting engages learners in applying the principles of corporate finance and accounting to business decision making. Course topics include financial statements and other reports, the basics of financial forecasting and budgeting, accounting analytics, and the communications and vocabulary related to financial statements. Learners reconcile financial transactions and accounting records and examine the implications of international differences in accounting frameworks and financial reporting requirements.
The Art of Communication
What is the number one job skill American and global employees are lacking, according to LinkedIn CEO, Jeff Weiner? Communications. The Art of Communication is designed to strengthen and promote a leadership-driven communications model that extends from an audience-centered communications approach. How do leaders persuade shareholders? How do leaders negotiate with clients and business partners across cultures? How are the psychology and cognitive principles of negotiation influenced by audience awareness? This course introduces learners to a foundation in rhetorical awareness that will transfer through a variety of contexts, including corporate communications, public speaking, negotiation, and a range of executive leadership scenarios. Coursework includes genre analysis, professional writing, presentation design and delivery, and negotiation workshops. Learners interested in developing leadership communications skills in both public and private sectors should attend.
Essential Power Skills for Leaders & Entrepreneurs
This seminar aims to provide leaders and entrepreneurs with soft skills essential for excelling in the dynamic and diverse modern business environment. The program focuses on developing communication, leadership, problem- solving, and adaptability competencies. By the end of the course, participants will have improved their ability to lead their businesses, manage teams effectively, and make informed strategic decisions.
Building and Scaling an Organization
One of the key skills every startup founder needs to know is how to identify, find, and hire the right team to build their business, starting with a co-founder. This course will cover management skills, basic HR skills for founders, key needs for new businesses, and the roles to handle those needs. The course will additionally cover how hiring needs and the organizational chart change as a business matures and scales. Topics include motivating and inspiring employees, leadership development, conflict management, intercultural relations, and change management.
Marketing Strategy
Marketing Strategy focuses on the advanced marketing and leadership skills required in today’s fast-paced technology driven global economy. Learners prepare for roles within the field of marketing and gain a solid understanding of the role of marketing, both in traditional and digital platforms, in defining and maintaining a brand and in meeting business objectives. Learners examine how technology and transformational approaches are critical to developing future-forward marketing strategies. Topics include leadership, strategic partnerships, and negotiating skills that are key contributors to successful business growth and company culture.
Conflict Management & Negotiation Seminar
This seminar course will enhance learners' negotiation skills and build their ability to persuade effectively in both personal and professional contexts. Learners will also learn the art of successfully managing conflict. The course includes class discussions, negotiation assignments, and a practical exercise, allowing learners to identify their own negotiation styles and develop the tools and techniques to manage conflict effectively.
Entrepreneurship Capstone
The Entrepreneurship Capstone is a comprehensive course allowing learners the opportunity to apply what they have learned throughout the Entrepreneurship program to create a comprehensive business plan and investor pitch deck for their validated business idea. During this course, learners will enhance their business research skills. As part of their final project, learners will present their business idea. Learners will be evaluated on their business plan, investor pitch, and presentation and will receive feedback on any needed adjustments. By the end of the course, learners will have a strong pitch deck that they can use to pursue funding for a real business, and the presentation skills to properly present their business idea to potential investors or financial institutions.
What’s it like to learn at Nexford?
Real-world projects
Real-world projects
Build skills by building your startup. Every course includes hands-on projects that take you from idea to launch – from validating your concept to finding product–market fit and growth. You won’t just learn about entrepreneurship – you’ll practice it, with projects designed to fuel your real venture.
Flexible
Flexible
Collaborative learning
Collaborative learning
Work with peers from around the world on discussions that reflect global workplace dynamics. You won’t learn in a vacuum. Share ideas, get feedback, build a network - and be part of a global community that sharpens how you think.
Rewarding learning
Rewarding learning
Earn certificates and digital badges for the skills you build - long before you finish your degree. Every project moves you forward and every milestone counts. Progress isn’t hidden, its rewarded and you get to share that progress as you grow.
Personalized support
Personalized support
You’re online but never alone. Book 1:1 time with faculty or advisors, join group sessions, or reach out anytime by chat, email, or online calls. Whether it’s academics or career advice, real humans are here - or bots if you prefer.
Technology enabled
Technology enabled
Expect a modern, fully online experience that just works - including on mobile. All required tools are included, and you’ll never pay extra for textbooks or software. No clunky systems or boring PDFs. Just online learning, made simple.
MBAE Admission requirements
You can upload your documents 100% online today
Proof of Identity
Proof of Identity
As part of the admissions process, applicants are asked to provide a photo or scan of a government-issued form of identification and a passport-style photo or selfie.
Undergraduate degree transcript
Undergraduate degree transcript
Graduate level applicants will need to have completed a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution
Proof of English Proficiency
Proof of English Proficiency
If your previous education was in English, your transcript will serve as proof of English proficiency. You can also provide scores from an approved qualification exam.
Where our learners work
Join us for a free virtual tour
Join us live to see how learning at Nexford works, hear from alumni, and get your questions answered by current learners, faculty, and staff.
Free online webinar
Get a live preview of Nexford courses and the tools our learners use. Hear from our team dedicated to your success.
Free online webinar
Get a live preview of Nexford courses and the tools our learners use. Hear from our team dedicated to your success.
Your dedicated career success platform
Your dedicated career success platform
Personalized Career Recommendations
Discover your strengths and uncover your personalized career paths with AI-powered personality and job-fit assessments.
Smart Resume & Interview Tools
Build standout resumes and get real-time interview feedback to ace your next interview.
1:1 Career Coaching
Book time with expert coaches for personalized guidance on job searches, networking, and long-term planning.
Access thousands of additional courses
Access thousands of additional optional courses & certifications to help you level-up at no additional cost.
Real projects you'll complete in your MBA
Chartered Accountants ANZ: Business Simulation
Moreton Bay: Product Launch Strategy
H2 Ventures: VC Startup Evaluation
Chartered Accountants ANZ: Business Simulation
Moreton Bay: Product Launch Strategy
H2 Ventures: VC Startup Evaluation
Your career outlook as an MBAE graduate
This program is for those pursuing an entrepreneurial path – launching a startup, co-founding a venture, or leading in startups, scale-ups, VCs, incubators, or accelerators.
Startups
- Founder, COO
- Founder's Associate
- Chief of Staff
Venture Capital
- Venture Analyst
- Portfolio Manager
- Associate
- Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Business Development & Sales
- Head of Growth
- Chief Growth Officer
- Business Development Manager
- Partnership Manager
Product Management
- Product Manager
- Customer Success Manager
- Product Marketing Manager
- Growth Manager
50%
of startups worldwide citing lack of skilled founders or business leaders as a key growth barrier
50% more
venture capital funding secured on average by startups led by founders with MBA or advanced degrees
35% more likely
founders with a graduate degree succeed in growing their startups compared to those without
Sources: Earnest, GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), LinkedIn Insights / Emerging Jobs Report, World Economic Forum, Deloitte Insights, PwC CEO Survey, Gartner, IDC (International Data Corporation), Statista, eMarketer, Kauffman Foundation, Crunchbase, OECD, World Bank, UNESCO Graduate Outcomes Survey, IBM Research, Harvard Business Review, National Association of Colleges and Employers, International Labour Organization, HubSpot & LinkedIn Marketing Report, Glassdoor Salary Insights
Hear from our alumni and their employers
Nexford is accredited.
Accredited by DEAC
The International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Accredited by DEAC
The International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)