What is a business model?

A business model is a format of work structure that helps companies define the characteristics of their business. In a business model, a company states what they do and what they create, who they sell to and who buys it, and how much money they make versus how much it costs to produce profits. In other words, a business model helps a company determine how it will create value. Business models tell investors and customers how a particular company plans to solve certain business problems, and in doing so, what the potential upside of the business model might hold. If a company cannot live up to its business model, then it may choose to cease operations.

What is it important to learn about business models?

It's important to learn that business models are the modern assessment vehicle for how businesses are viewed. Learning about business models can help you articulate your own vision down the road when you have great ideas for businesses and need to interest investors in your idea. When a business forms, it needs to develop and make a case for a business model to gather the basic assumptions about the company's business goal. A business model can also help you learn what path a company will take to chase any potential work opportunity.

What careers can I work in by learning business models?

When you learn about business models, the knowledge you gain can help you find career work in technology companies, advertising agencies, financial consultancies, banking, manufacturing, and other fields. This is because researching, developing, and creating a business model requires insightful thought and analysis about the business opportunity, the target market, and the potential for the business model. As you learn about business models, you start to acquire tips and techniques that help define what the business is and in what direction it's headed. That knowledge can help you grow your career faster within a corporation or a startup.

How can taking online courses help me learn about business models?

Taking online courses to learn about business models is a smart way to gain real-world insights into how certain companies have evolved to bring their products into the world. You will be exposed to both business innovators and opportunistic dreamers who figured out a way to sell a business model to investors, customers, and the world at large. When you gain this knowledge, you'll have the tools to go out and develop your own business model to create your own success.

What are the benefits of taking an online Business Model course?

Online Business Model courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Business Model skills. With a wide range of Business Model classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Business Model career skills.

What Business Model courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Business Model, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Business Model Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Business Model Course Catalog

Status: Preview
Kennesaw State University
Business Model Canvas: A Tool for Entrepreneurs and Innovators (Project-Centered Course)
Skills you'll gain: Value Propositions, Business Modeling, Presentations, Customer Analysis, Innovation, Customer Relationship Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing Channel, Business Strategy, Strategic Partnership, Cost Management, Revenue Management, Resource Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
677 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Business and Financial Modeling
Skills you'll gain: Risk Modeling, Financial Statements, Probability Distribution, Mathematical Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Portfolio Management, Regression Analysis, Business Modeling, Financial Modeling, Strategic Decision-Making, Risk Management, Presentations, Decision Making, Data Visualization, Microsoft PowerPoint, Predictive Modeling, Investment Management, Spreadsheet Software, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
11K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Virginia
Innovating with the Business Model Canvas
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Innovation, Process Design, Business Modeling, Customer experience strategy (CX), Business Process, Business Strategy, New Product Development, Strategic Partnership, Customer Analysis, Value Propositions, Product Management, Resource Allocation, Lean Methodologies, Market Opportunities
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
313 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Business Strategy: Business Model Canvas Analysis with Miro
Skills you'll gain: Value Propositions, Business Modeling, Product Development, Business Analysis, Stakeholder Communications, Business Planning, Business Solutions, Presentations, Business Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Innovation, Entrepreneurship
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
140 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of Virginia
Entrepreneurship: Growing Your Business
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Accounting, Balance Sheet, Financial Reporting, Financial Statement Analysis, Design Thinking, Accounting, Innovation, Process Design, Business Modeling, Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy, Leadership Development, Strategic Leadership, Corporate Sustainability, Stakeholder Engagement, Professional Development, Business Ethics, Finance, HR Tech
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
7.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Maryland, College Park
Entrepreneurship: Launching an Innovative Business
Skills you'll gain: Customer Analysis, Commercialization, Product Planning, Business Modeling, Strategic Decision-Making, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Finance, Market Opportunities, Business Planning, New Product Development, Sales Strategy, Sales Pipelines, Ideation, Sales Presentation, Product Development, Team Building, Product Strategy, Capital Markets, Finance
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2.3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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Status: Free Trial
Copenhagen Business School
Social Business Model and Planning for Social Innovation
Skills you'll gain: Team Oriented, Business Planning, Organizational Structure, Business Modeling, Entrepreneurship, Business Strategies, Sustainable Business, Fundraising, Value Propositions, Innovation, Investments, Presentations
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
123 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
University of Minnesota
Business Model & Product Pitch
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Growth Strategies, Financial Modeling, Cost Accounting, Product Development, New Product Development, Business Strategies, Business Development, Fundraising and Crowdsourcing, Value Propositions, Investments, Presentations, Customer Acquisition Management
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Maryland, College Park
Building the Business Model for Corporate Entrepreneurs
Skills you'll gain: Business Modeling, Customer Analysis, Business Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Customer Insights, Value Propositions, New Business Development, Target Market, Sustainable Business, Product Development, Innovation, Interviewing Skills
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
81 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Duke University
Building Financial Models for Entrepreneurs
Skills you'll gain: Financial Modeling, Entrepreneurial Finance, Financial Forecasting, Capital Budgeting, Financial Statements, Return On Investment, Cash Flow Forecasting, Financial Analysis, Business Modeling, Negotiation, Investments, Investment Management, Microsoft Excel
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Maryland, College Park
Lean Enterprise Framework: Transform the Business Model
Skills you'll gain: Innovation, New Product Development, Design Thinking, Product Development, Product Management, Business Modeling, Product Strategy, Customer experience strategy (CX), Product Marketing, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Value Propositions, Performance Measurement, Portfolio Management, Customer Insights, Business Metrics, Customer experience improvement, Business Strategy, Lean Methodologies
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Michigan State University
Developing An Entrepreneurial Mindset: First Step Towards Success
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Market Opportunities, Lean Methodologies, Growth Mindedness, New Business Development, Creative Thinking, Personal Development, Self-Awareness, Business Modeling, Business, Business Risk Management
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
945 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months