What You'll Learn

  • How to implement Design Thinking as a powerful tool for innovation, fostering creativity, and addressing complex business problems in an effective, user-centric manner.

  • The intricacies of identifying and adapting to the dynamics of your target market and customers, laying the foundation for a business model that resonates and prospers.

  • The art of establishing and nurturing strategic partnerships, unlocking new avenues for collaborative growth and expansion in the business ecosystem.

  • How to meticulously develop a Minimal Viable Product (MVP), testing your business idea quickly and efficiently to reduce risks and increase chances of success.

  • A beginner-friendly introduction to finance, empowering you to understand financial metrics and make data-driven decisions that align with your business goals.

Course Instructors

Founder Ozan Sonmez

Ozan Sonmez is a serial founder, angel investor, and esteemed startup mentor with over a decade of global experience in investing and building startup programs. His affiliations with UC Berkeley, Stanford CPD, and MIT EF Pan Arab highlight his active role in various innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Ozan has designed and executed programs for tech startups, and social and environmental impact founders with organizations like 500 Sanabil MENA, Endeavor, and Village Capital. He’s also mentored in Corporate Intrapreneurship & Innovation Programs for Fortune 500 Companies & Global Brands like Ford and Siemens’s Next47. Besides his professional accolades, Ozan is a proud #girldad who cherishes reading and writing.

Thought Leader Amal Dokhan

Amal Dokhan is a seasoned executive and Partner at 500 Startups MENA. Formerly, she held leadership positions at Global Entrepreneurship Network GEN Saudi and Babson Global. With rich experience at KAUST's Entrepreneurship Center, she's a skilled startup consultant, program designer, and Angel Investor, supporting numerous successful ventures. A trusted advisor and board member, she's spoken at international platforms like TEDx and Davos. Amal holds degrees from King Abdulaziz University and the University of Wollongong, and prestigious certifications from MIT Sloan and Berkeley.

Mark Searle

Mark Searle is a versatile entrepreneur and seasoned executive, traversing a rich landscape of sectors including enterprise software, big data, information security, manufacturing, and food-tech. Equipped with a unique proficiency in aligning diverse groups and cultures within an organization, he masterfully balances activities to drive peak performance. In high growth environments, his dynamic leadership and agile problem-solving skills truly shine, making him a beacon of success. Mark's exceptional track record echoes his talent for turning challenge into opportunity and leveraging diverse technology experiences into a unified, formidable business strategy.

Course curriculum

Discover the essence of entrepreneurship with SAGE Fundamentals Plus! Dive into Design Thinking, grasp market dynamics, build strategic partnerships, craft an MVP, and demystify finance. Embark on a journey that turns budding ideas into thriving businesses.

  1. Chapter 1 : Design Thinking

  2. Chapter 2 : Markets and Customers

  3. Chapter 3 : Partnerships

  4. Chapter 4 : MVP

  5. Chapter 5 : Finance Intro

About this course

  • $200.00
  • 137 lessons

Discover your potential, starting today