Life Sciences Venture Funding
Keep adding new skills with 10,000+ programs for $239 (usually $399). Save now.
Ask Coursera
What you'll learn
Review venture strategy concepts
Understand the difference between types of life science ventures
Learn about early stage funding sources
Get exposure to venture finance concepts
Details to know
April 2026
7 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
There are 8 modules in this course
Venture strategies, types of life science ventures, funding sources, and venture finance concepts are discussed in the course. This course is an introduction to the critical factors of success for raising capital for early-stage entrepreneurial ventures. Topics include an introduction to entrepreneurial strategy and finance, sources of funds for launch and early stages, debt versus equity funding, equity division in early-stage companies, types of equity investments, and valuation of early-stage ventures.
In this module, we will introduce venture strategy and stages.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
3 videos•Total 42 minutes
- Welcome and Introduction Video•4 minutes
- Venture Strategy & Funding Stages•16 minutes
- Words of Wisdom: A Conversation with Marnie Lavigne•22 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Introduction to Strategy & Stages•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- What is a distinguishing trait of a life science venture?•10 minutes
In this module, we will discuss different types of life science ventures.
What's included
2 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
2 videos•Total 23 minutes
- Types of Life Science Ventures•2 minutes
- Words of Wisdom: A Conversation with Anthony Johnson•21 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Types of Life Science Ventures•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- What role will you play in a life science innovation?•10 minutes
This module explores the demands and regulatory path to follow to commercialize a product.
What's included
2 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
2 videos•Total 40 minutes
- Regulatory Components•6 minutes
- Words of Wisdom: A Conversation with Michelle Bonn•35 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Regulatory Components •30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- What ideas do you have to improve healthcare?•10 minutes
We explore various sources of funding & timelines to consider when thinking about starting a company.
What's included
2 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
2 videos•Total 43 minutes
- Sources of Funding A: Grand, Crowd, Self•10 minutes
- Words of Wisdom: A Conversation with Seth Flaum•33 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Sources of Funding A •30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- What funding would you seek first?•10 minutes
This module explores the benefits & risks associated with equity funding
What's included
2 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
2 videos•Total 47 minutes
- Sources of Funding B: Angel, Venture Capital•10 minutes
- Words of Wisdom: A Conversation with Michael Norsen •37 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Sources of Funding B•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- What is one pro and one con of pursuing equity funding?•10 minutes
This module provides insight into using external funding to start a business.
What's included
2 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
2 videos•Total 36 minutes
- Equity, Valuation, and Cap Tables•10 minutes
- Words of Wisdom: A Conversation with Sylvia Codony•27 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Equity, Valuation and Cap Table•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- How much risk are you willing to risk•10 minutes
This module considers the financial tools to help determine funding requirements for your venture.
What's included
2 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
2 videos•Total 39 minutes
- Venture Finance Basics•12 minutes
- Words of Wisdom: A Conversation with Ron Newbold•28 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Venture Finance Basics•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Know your limitations•10 minutes
This module recaps the course, provides insight from a successful entrepreneur/investor, and allows you to explore being a co-founder in a life science venture.
What's included
2 videos
2 videos•Total 26 minutes
- Other Resources & Conclusion•3 minutes
- Words of Wisdom: A Conversation with Jack Greco•23 minutes
Instructor
Offered by
Explore more from Entrepreneurship
- Status: PreviewT
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Course
- Status: PreviewT
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Course
- Status: Free TrialU
University of Maryland, College Park
Course
- Status: Free TrialU
University of Maryland, College Park
Course
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Frequently asked questions
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
More questions
Financial aid available,