BOOST YOUR SKILLS WITH INVEST ONLINE COURSES – REGISTRATION OPENS ON 14 SEPTEMBER

Startpagina Nieuws Boost your skills with INVEST online courses – registration opens on 14 September

Registration for INVEST online courses in autumn 2026 opens on 14 September. As a student at an INVEST Alliance partner university, you can take flexible, international and future-focused online courses that are open to Bachelor’s and Master’s students from all fields of study.
In autumn 2026, four online courses are available. You can choose one or more courses based on your interests. Detailed course descriptions are provided below.

The same application period, course schedule and practical arrangements apply to all four courses:

Application period: September 14 – 30, 2026
Course duration: October 7 – November 30, 2026
Course format: Online and asynchronous
Language: English
Read more and apply: https://www.karelia.fi/en/invest-online-courses/


 

INVEST Entrepreneurship Pathway courses

The Entrepreneurship Pathway courses are designed to be completed in the recommended order. We strongly recommend starting with the course AI-Enabled Early Innovation, which provides the foundation for the later courses.


1. AI-Enabled Early Innovation – 3 ECTS
Develop innovative business ideas using AI tools.

In this asynchronous online course, you will learn to combine your personal resources, such as skills, experiences and networks, with emerging technologies to identify opportunities and develop early-stage business ideas. The course provides step-by-step guidance to help you generate, select, refine and plan viable ideas during your studies.

In this course, you will:

  • identify personal resources, goals and real-world problems as starting points for innovation
  • explore new technologies and their possible applications
  • generate and select promising business ideas with structured methods
  • plan next steps, including minimum viable products and implementation actions
     


2. Defining and Evaluating a Business Model with the Help of AI – 2 ECTS
Learn how AI can support strategic business growth

In this asynchronous online course, you will learn to turn an initial business idea into a clear and complete business model and evaluate whether it is viable. The course guides you in defining the key elements of the model, testing financial and market assumptions, identifying possible bottlenecks and improving the model with the support of AI. Complete AI-Enabled Early Innovation before taking this course.

In this course, you will:

  • define the key elements of a business model, including product, pricing, customers, competition, resources, partners and cost structure
  • use quantitative evaluation methods, such as a reverse income statement and break-even analysis, to test viability
  • assess customer, market-share, working-hours and marketing-budget requirements
  • identify bottlenecks and improve the business model by adjusting assumptions or comparing scenarios



3. Developing a Business Growth Plan with the Help of AI – 2 ECTS
Build growth plans around different customer acquisition and retention strategies

In this asynchronous online course, you will learn to adapt an existing business idea or business model to three different growth engines: sticky, viral and paid. The course guides you in modifying key elements of the business model, such as product description, marketing processes and revenue streams, while keeping the core customer need in focus. You will also define and calculate key metrics for each growth engine and use AI to brainstorm modifications and generate metric scenarios. Complete the two previous Entrepreneurship Pathway courses before taking this course.

In this course, you will:

  • understand the three growth engines: sticky, viral and paid
  • adapt product descriptions, marketing processes and revenue streams to match the chosen growth engine
  • define and calculate key growth metrics, such as churn rate, lifetime value, viral coefficient, customer acquisition cost and payback period
  • use AI prompts to develop business model modifications and explore metric scenarios



Other Online Courses
INVEST in YOU! – 2 ECTS
Strengthen your skills for multicultural collaboration, sustainable development and future career planning

In this asynchronous online course, you will learn essential skills for navigating the future of work, which is increasingly international, rapidly changing and connected to sustainable development. The course introduces the INVEST alliance and helps you develop practical skills for multicultural teamwork, communication and personal growth. You will also explore how sustainable development and global megatrends can shape your studies, career path and future opportunities.

In this course, you will:

  • understand the structure and goals of the INVEST alliance
  • develop strategies for multicultural teamwork and effective communication
  • strengthen essential soft skills for personal and professional growth
  • explore how sustainable development connects to your studies and future career
  • reflect on your aspirations and plan your future in the context of global megatrends