Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Start: From Idea to First Customers

Test the idea at low cost, build a model that earns, and win your first customer.

A scene from the case discussion

What you will be able to do.

  • 01

    Turn your idea into hypotheses you can test.

  • 02

    Interview prospects and ask what reveals the real need.

  • 03

    Build the simplest version of the product that tests demand.

  • 04

    Work out the economics of a single sale and what you need to earn.

  • 05

    Win a first paying customer and record what you learned.

Who it is for.

Anyone who owns a decision at work and wants to make it on clearer ground.

  • Early career

    Building a professional base

    Learn the language and tools of business before you need them.

  • New manager

    Taking charge of a team for the first time

    Move from doing the work to owning its results.

  • Owner

    Running a business of your own

    Give your daily decisions a clear frame.

A slot for a real learner's view of this course, with consent.

Learner name (draft)Role and organisation

  • 00%

    More confidence leading

    A figure from a real survey, when there is one.

  • 00%

    Skills applied at work

    A figure from a real survey, when there is one.

  • 00%

    Effect on career

    A figure from a real survey, when there is one.

What you earn.

The syllabus.

4 modules and about 42 hours.

PreworkBefore you start

Before the start: write your idea in one paragraph and name five people who resemble your customer, to speak with in week one.

Module 1 · 11 hIdea and problem: who suffers and why

You restate your idea as hypotheses about customer, problem and solution, rank them by risk, and pick the riskiest one to test before spending any money.

Module 2 · 11 hTalking to customers

You practise an interview that uncovers real behaviour rather than politeness, run at least 10 interviews, gather what you learned and refine the problem you are solving.

Module 3 · 10 hA simple model and the economics of a sale

You build a low-cost prototype, work out the cost of winning a customer and the profit on each sale, and set the price that keeps a home-delivery venture alive.

Module 4 · 10 hThe first paying customer

You plan a small push to bring in your first customers, run a trial sale, decide whether to continue, change direction or stop, and present what you learned to your group.

Upcoming cohorts.

Upcoming cohorts
StartsPay byPriceTime
11 Jan 20279 Jan 20274,900 SAR6 weeks · 7 h a week (about 42 h)
22 Feb 202720 Feb 20274,900 SAR6 weeks · 7 h a week (about 42 h)
5 Apr 20273 Apr 20274,900 SAR6 weeks · 7 h a week (about 42 h)

Dates and prices are drafts.

Taught by aali's faculty.

Teachers' names and photos are added once confirmed.

  • Faculty member (draft)Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • Faculty member (draft)Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • Faculty member (draft)Entrepreneurship & Innovation

How you learn here.

  • Hands-on

    Something to do every few minutes

    Short questions and exercises keep you working, not just watching.

  • Peers

    A cohort learning beside you

    You discuss the same case and disagree about it.

  • Cases

    Real companies, real decisions

    Put yourself in the seat of the person who decided.

Common questions.

When does access start?

For cohort courses on the start date; for on-demand courses as soon as payment is complete.

How much time do I need each week?

About 7 hours a week. The details are in the course summary.

Do I need prior experience?

No. Willingness to learn is enough.

What do I get when I finish?

An aali certificate of completion you can add to your CV. We claim no degree and no accreditation.

Can my employer pay for me?

Yes. See the employer reimbursement guide.

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