Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

USER INNOVATION: A Path To Entrepreneurship

Massachusetts Institute of Technology via edX

This course may be unavailable.

Overview

We’ll let you in on a secret. Innovation isn’t confined inside the walls of research labs swarming with PhDs. More often than not, innovation is about ordinary people solving problems that matter to them personally. This could be you.

First, think about what you need. Next, find out whether others want the same thing. If they do, you can start a venture – for profit or non-profit - to supply others with the novel product or service you first developed for yourself.

The examples of user innovation are infinite. A surfer created the GoPro to take “selfies” while surfing. A student came up with Dropbox after forgetting his flash drive. Two broke entrepreneurs rented out their living room to help pay rent, and Airbnb was born. They’ll share their paths to startup success.

Taught by Eric von Hippel, the founding scholar of user innovation, this course will help you think about what problems you should choose to solve and how to share your innovations with others.

You can innovate.

Taught by

Eric von Hippel

Reviews

4.8 rating, based on 5 Class Central reviews

Start your review of USER INNOVATION: A Path To Entrepreneurship

  • Profile image for Patricia Brezeanu
    Patricia Brezeanu
    This course was presented in a very approachable manner for students that need motivation and some extra knowledge for starting their own business.
  • Profile image for Abdul Zaki Badri
    Abdul Zaki Badri

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.