Starting Up: FAQ
See also the general Frequently asked questions about the MinnaLearn course platform
We expect that on average the course takes roughly 50 hours to complete. In addition to reading, the exercises require much time.
You can do the course at your own pace, but we recommend trying to finish in 6 weeks (in our experience, having a deadline makes it more likely students will finish the course).
You should answer all the exercises and get 60% right to complete the course.
Yes, you'll get a certificate. You have passed the course after you have answered all the questions, and 60% of the assignments have been completed correctly.
#minnalearn and #startingupcourse
Would be great to hear your story!
The idea was initiated by the student-run accelerator Kiuas, an active member in the startup community – they approached Aalto University and pitched the idea to other partners, who were quick to jump on board.
The course content creators consist of Aalto Ventures Program, Kiuas, Maki.vc and MinnaLearn employees. The source for the material is both previously published literature and interviews with entrepreneurs that were conducted especially for this course. The product itself has been built by MinnaLearn.
Startup entrepreneurship is one of the strongest examples of modern entrepreneurship and over the past ten years, the buzz around it has increased. Now we think it’s time to bridge the knowledge gap and bring concrete tools to support the inspiration work done. Also, there’s a strong startup community around Aalto University, which is why it made a lot of sense for us to focus on startup entrepreneurship.
No one becomes an entrepreneur by taking a course. Entrepreneurship is one of those areas where, undoubtedly, you learn best by doing. However, we believe that there are basic facts – terminology, processes, best practices – that you can definitely brush up on, which can help you get started and avoid the most common pitfalls.
All content (such as text, pictures, interactive elements and layout) (C) Aalto University, all rights reserved. Such content may not be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Aalto University.
To register the two ECTS credit units, please follow the instructions here:
You should register for the course in Sisu. Once you have completed the course, please submit the course certificate ID in MyCourses. Please do not apply for the course at Studyinfo.
The applications are handled once per month. Unfortunately, we are not able to make any exceptions to the schedule.
After you have completed the course you are able to download a certificate and can submit an application at Studyinfo.
You need a Finnish personal identity code and e-identification in order to fill in the application and verify your identity. In addition, you need the course certificate.
If you are currently studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at any Finnish university or university of applied sciences, fill in your application here: https://opintopolku.fi/hakemus/haku/1.2.246.562.29.00000000000000028018?lang=en
If you are not studying for a degree at the moment, fill in your application here: https://opintopolku.fi/hakemus/haku/1.2.246.562.29.00000000000000028017?lang=en
Once your application has been accepted, you will get a notification email with a link to accept the study place. This is only for verification of your identity. Please follow the instructions and accept the study place at My Studyinfo.
The applications are handled once per month. Unfortunately we are not able to make any exceptions to the schedule. The credits are registered in the study register of Aalto University. You can see all your registered courses by logging into My Studyinfo.
You can also get a digital badge of the course that you can easily share e.g. in your LinkedIn profile. You can apply for a badge once the credits are in the study register. More information on FITech’s digital badges on the FITech website.
Please discuss with your professor of your home university how you can transfer this course to your degree.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future.
The Mom Test - How to talk to customers & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you.
Lean Startup.
Crossing the Chasm.
The Founder’s Dilemmas.
Venture Deals.
Blue Ocean Strategy.
Y combinator, maybe the most successful startup accelerator has many great videos on their Youtube channel on various topics.
Should This Exist?, a podcast discussing how new technology companies affect humanity.
Startup media by the world’s leading startup event, Slush: https://www.slush.org/soaked/
A youtube channel packed with great talks, also by Slush.
How Superhuman reached product/market fit
Useful newsletters & essays regarding marketing, metrics & growth hacking.
How to get startup ideas?
Discussing how startups go from zero to billions.
Articles on the Nordic startup ecosystem
Diversity & Inclusion Guidebook
Useful tools for startup finance, legal & other
State of European Tech report 2019
Stock option plan & other useful tools
How long will the course take?
We expect that on average the course takes roughly 50 hours to complete. In addition to reading, the exercises require much time.
You can do the course at your own pace, but we recommend trying to finish in 6 weeks (in our experience, having a deadline makes it more likely students will finish the course).
What percentage of the questions need to go right to complete the course?
You should answer all the exercises and get 60% right to complete the course.
Do I get a certificate for passing this course?
Yes, you'll get a certificate. You have passed the course after you have answered all the questions, and 60% of the assignments have been completed correctly.
I want to share my Starting Up learning stories on social media. Which tags and handles should I use?
#minnalearn and #startingupcourse
Would be great to hear your story!
Who created the course and how?
The idea was initiated by the student-run accelerator Kiuas, an active member in the startup community – they approached Aalto University and pitched the idea to other partners, who were quick to jump on board.
The course content creators consist of Aalto Ventures Program, Kiuas, Maki.vc and MinnaLearn employees. The source for the material is both previously published literature and interviews with entrepreneurs that were conducted especially for this course. The product itself has been built by MinnaLearn.
Why is the course focused on startup entrepreneurship and not entrepreneurship in general?
Startup entrepreneurship is one of the strongest examples of modern entrepreneurship and over the past ten years, the buzz around it has increased. Now we think it’s time to bridge the knowledge gap and bring concrete tools to support the inspiration work done. Also, there’s a strong startup community around Aalto University, which is why it made a lot of sense for us to focus on startup entrepreneurship.
Can entrepreneurship be taught with a course?
No one becomes an entrepreneur by taking a course. Entrepreneurship is one of those areas where, undoubtedly, you learn best by doing. However, we believe that there are basic facts – terminology, processes, best practices – that you can definitely brush up on, which can help you get started and avoid the most common pitfalls.
How is the content licensed?
All content (such as text, pictures, interactive elements and layout) (C) Aalto University, all rights reserved. Such content may not be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Aalto University.
How can I get 2 ECTS credits?
To register the two ECTS credit units, please follow the instructions here:
Student from Aalto University
You should register for the course in Sisu. Once you have completed the course, please submit the course certificate ID in MyCourses. Please do not apply for the course at Studyinfo.
The applications are handled once per month. Unfortunately, we are not able to make any exceptions to the schedule.
Student from a Finnish University or University of Applied Sciences
After you have completed the course you are able to download a certificate and can submit an application at Studyinfo.
You need a Finnish personal identity code and e-identification in order to fill in the application and verify your identity. In addition, you need the course certificate.
If you are currently studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at any Finnish university or university of applied sciences, fill in your application here: https://opintopolku.fi/hakemus/haku/1.2.246.562.29.00000000000000028018?lang=en
If you are not studying for a degree at the moment, fill in your application here: https://opintopolku.fi/hakemus/haku/1.2.246.562.29.00000000000000028017?lang=en
Once your application has been accepted, you will get a notification email with a link to accept the study place. This is only for verification of your identity. Please follow the instructions and accept the study place at My Studyinfo.
The applications are handled once per month. Unfortunately we are not able to make any exceptions to the schedule. The credits are registered in the study register of Aalto University. You can see all your registered courses by logging into My Studyinfo.
You can also get a digital badge of the course that you can easily share e.g. in your LinkedIn profile. You can apply for a badge once the credits are in the study register. More information on FITech’s digital badges on the FITech website.
Students from other countries
Please discuss with your professor of your home university how you can transfer this course to your degree.
I’d like to have some more information on the subject, where should I look?
Books
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future.
The Mom Test - How to talk to customers & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you.
Lean Startup.
Crossing the Chasm.
The Founder’s Dilemmas.
Venture Deals.
Blue Ocean Strategy.
Blogs, videos & podcasts
Y combinator, maybe the most successful startup accelerator has many great videos on their Youtube channel on various topics.
Should This Exist?, a podcast discussing how new technology companies affect humanity.
Startup media by the world’s leading startup event, Slush: https://www.slush.org/soaked/
A youtube channel packed with great talks, also by Slush.
How Superhuman reached product/market fit
Useful newsletters & essays regarding marketing, metrics & growth hacking.
How to get startup ideas?
Discussing how startups go from zero to billions.
Articles on the Nordic startup ecosystem
Diversity & Inclusion Guidebook
Useful tools for startup finance, legal & other
State of European Tech report 2019
Stock option plan & other useful tools
Updated on: 20/06/2023
Thank you!