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

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, Business Planning, Communication, Customer Relationship Management, Entrepreneurship, Target Market, Business Strategy, Strategic Partnership, Cost Management, Revenue Management, New Business Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
643 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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, Excel Formulas
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
11K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Maryland, College Park
Building the Business Model for Corporate Entrepreneurs
Skills you'll gain: Business Modeling, Customer Analysis, Financial Modeling, Business Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Customer Insights, Value Propositions, New Product Development, Target Market, Business Development, User Research, Customer Relationship Management, Innovation, Product Strategy
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
80 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Virginia
Innovating with the Business Model Canvas
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Innovation, Process Design, Business Modeling, Business Process, Business Strategies, New Business Development, Product Development, Strategic Partnership, Value Propositions, Customer Engagement, Resource Allocation, Market Opportunities, Go To Market Strategy, Customer Insights
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
300 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Business Strategy: Business Model Canvas Analysis with Miro
Skills you'll gain: New Product Development, Value Propositions, Business Modeling, Product Development, Business Analysis, Stakeholder Communications, Business Planning, Business Solutions, Presentations, Business Strategy, Innovation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
131 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Lund University
Digital Business Models
Skills you'll gain: Business Modeling, Digital Transformation, Innovation, Business Process, Software Development, Network Analysis, Business Strategy, E-Commerce, Value Propositions, Application Programming Interface (API), Decision Making
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
556 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Landscape Restoration
Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Management, Business Modeling, New Business Development, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Business Analysis, Corporate Sustainability, Systems Analysis, Financial Analysis, Systems Thinking, Environmental Management Systems, Environment and Resource Management, Innovation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
48 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
The State University of New York
Launch Your Online Business
Skills you'll gain: Branding, Brand Strategy, Media Production, Entrepreneurship, Content Creation, Marketing, Web Content, Copywriting, Business Modeling, Public Relations, Presentations, Customer Engagement, Promotional Strategies, Value Propositions, E-Commerce, Web Design and Development, Business Planning, Marketing Strategies, Content Strategy, Customer Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
809 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Multiple educators
Business Innovation and Digital Disruption
Skills you'll gain: Storytelling, Data Storytelling, Business Strategy, Design Thinking, Brand Strategy, Process Design, Business Solutions, Innovation, Business, Service Design, Presentations, Market Opportunities, Business Modeling, Business Risk Management, Branding, Strategic Thinking, Digital Transformation, Technology Strategies, Business Strategies, Corporate Sustainability
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
46 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Starweaver
Business Process Modelling
Skills you'll gain: Business Process Modeling, Business Process, Process Flow Diagrams, Process Analysis, Process Mapping, Business Modeling, Business Systems Analysis, Business Process Improvement, Requirements Elicitation, User Requirements Documents, Technical Documentation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
83 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
University of London
Corporate Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Corporate Strategy, Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Business, Mergers & Acquisitions, Growth Strategies, New Business Development, Business Valuation, Resource Allocation, Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
University of London
How to Finance and Grow Your Startup – Without VC
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurial Finance, Business Modeling, Entrepreneurship, Growth Strategies, Customer Insights, Business Development, Customer Acquisition Management, Business Strategies, New Business Development, Cash Management, Market Analysis, Revenue Management, E-Commerce
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
469 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months