Starts 17 September. Learn how to turn your business idea into a reality. Immerse yourself in the world of entrepreneurship as you discover, develop and drive forward business ideas to create new products, services or brands.

Microcredential

Online

Business (neutral UI)

Technology (neutral UI)

The Mind Lab - hidden

Paid

Entrepreneurship

<h6>LEARNING OUTCOMES</h6><h1>What you’ll learn</h1>

Wherever you are on your journey to entrepreneurship, this short course offers essential skills to take you to the next level. Build the essential skills, attitudes and attributes of a successful entrepreneur as you develop your own business pitch deck during this practical Level 8 NZQA accredited (15 credits) micro-credential. Gain valuable insights from course tutors and seasoned entrepreneurs on your business idea through weekly live online sessions over 10 weeks. This highly collaborative course offers regular opportunities for you to ask questions and seek useful feedback to improve your business idea or start up.

Start by learning the must-have skills of successful entrepreneurs. You’ll also dive into how to use data and spot patterns to validate your ideas, test them out, and create prototypes.

Grow your skills by exploring practical ideas for strategic thinking, funding, teamwork, communication, and staying balanced as an entrepreneur. You’ll put what you learn into action by creating a pitch deck for an idea you care about.

Put your project into practice or further your knowledge with our <a href="/courses/master/master-of-technological-futures">Master of Technological Futures</a> or <a href="/courses/master/master-of-change-and-organisational-resilience">Master of Change and Organisational Resilience</a>.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Sharpen critical thinking</h3>Gain confidence using critical thinking to find opportunities and solve problems

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Expand your network</h3>Connect with a network of like-minded business owners

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Craft a compelling pitch</h3>Develop a peer-reviewed pitch deck for your business idea

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Access resources</h3>Gain access to legal, financial and marketing business resources

What you’ll learn - List - ENT Micro overview

<ul><li>Aspiring entrepreneurs looking to turn their business ideas into reality.</li><li>Current business owners aiming to develop new products, services, or brands.</li><li>Individuals looking to start a side hustle or enhance their entrepreneurial skills.</li><li>Startup founders wanting access to legal, financial, and marketing resources to support their ventures.</li></ul>

Where this could take you - Course overview - PG/Micro-creds

Follow your passionTake your idea and continue to research, develop and evolve it as you work toward a successful side-hustle.

Start your own businessTurn your idea for a new business, product or service into a reality or add a new brand to your current business.

Continued learningStack your credits toward our <a href="/courses/master-of-technological-futures">Master of Technological Futures</a> or <a href="/courses/master-of-change-and-organisational-resilience">Master of Change and Organisational Resilience</a>

Where this could take you - List - ENT Micro overview

What you need to apply - Course overview - Micro-creds

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Proof of identity</h3>You will need to provide a copy of your passport or birth certificate to confirm your personal details.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Qualifications &amp; work experience</h3>You need to provide proof of previous study and work experience e.g. an academic transcript, graduating certificate, or CV.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">English language proficiency</h3>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of English language competence e.g. academic IELTS or PTE. <a target="_blank" href="https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/tertiary/english-language-entry-requirements-for-international-students/">Learn more</a>

Step-by-step process to apply for this course:

Application and admissions - Course overview - Micro-creds

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Apply online</h4>Choose a <a href="/browse/courses?course-type=microcredential">micro-credential</a> that aligns with your goals and complete an application form. Make sure to submit all the required documentation so your application can be processed as quickly as possible.

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Enrolment confirmed</h4>Once your documents and application has been reviewed and approved by our team, you will be enrolled in your course and advised of next steps.

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the whānau!</h4>You are ready to start your learning journey and join a group of like-minded, life-long learners.

Application and admissions - List - Course overview - Micro-creds

Domestic student fee Domestic student fees apply to all students who are citizens, permanent residents or those hold a residency visa in New Zealand.

International student fee International student fees apply to all students who are NOT citizens, permanent residents or those who DO NOT hold a residency visa in New Zealand. Please note that this course is not eligible for a student visa into New Zealand.

Lead Facilitator - DSW & Entrepreneurship

Evey Burilin

Industry Advisor

Felix Scholz

Jade Tang-Taylor

Kaihautū Moana Māori

Huw Jones

I took the leap - MCOR gave me the confidence to work for myself, doing what I do best. It’s been a total life-changer.

For Māori and Pasifika wanting to change careers or up-skill, academyEX offers a supportive environment for your journey.

Being future-ready is simple: hop on, or get left behind! I believe everyone has a responsibility to embrace and prepare for the future.

If you love ideas and you want to engage in an exciting community of people who are creating change give it a go because you have nothing to lose.

academyEX is for you if you have an idea, and if you are passionate about it, and if you want the tools and network around you to actually put it together.

This was the only place where they were providing the kind of context and the information that I wanted to be really future-focused.

My project focused on harnessing the power of technology through a blended learning model, aiming to transform education delivery.

If you think you&#039;re too busy or tied up with work, academyEX is the place to start—no better way to expand your horizons.

A micro-credential certifies achievement of a specific and coherent set of skills and/or knowledge. Micro-credentials are created through strong evidence of need by industry, employers, iwi and/or the community. Think of them like a ‘crash course’ on the future – bringing you up to speed on what matters today but also what’s critical for a thriving future. They are designed to be done alongside your busy work and personal life, so you don&#039;t have to take time off to study. Our Micro-credentials give you a recognised NZQA qualification.  Delivered through a combination of self-directed learning and weekly live online sessions, you’ll practice and apply the knowledge and skills you learn through two practical assessments. Between 7 and 15 weeks, all micro-credentials have a set price and we run regular intakes at set times of the year.

What is a micro-credential?

If we look at this from a purely academic perspective, a micro-credential is worth 15 educational credits which equates to 150 hours of learning. But how much time you need to commit each week will depend on the length of the programme. This 10-week micro-credential includes an average of 15 learning hours per week. The Entrepreneurship micro-credential’s blended delivery approach includes self-directed and directed learning activities supported by weekly 90-minute virtual synchronous class sessions. Online synchronous sessions will take place on Wednesday 4.00-5.30pm. These sessions will be recorded but we do expect attendance at these sessions to enable effective project work and to maximise learning and networking opportunities.  For further information, download <a rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://link.academyex.com/prospectus-2024">our prospectus</a>.

What is the time requirement for this programme?

The next intake for this micro-credential is scheduled to start on 2nd April, 2025.

When are the next intakes?

To be eligible to study on the Programme, applicants must meet the admission criteria. The high-level entry criteria as approved by NZQA are as follows:<ul><li>A Bachelor&#039;s degree or an equivalent level qualification </li><li>OR equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.</li></ul>For further information, including how to demonstrate equivalent professional experience, download <a rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://link.academyex.com/prospectus-2024">our prospectus</a>.

What are the entry requirements?

Applications close one week before the start date of the intake you are applying for. Applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis after the application close date at the discretion of academyEX. Please contact us if applications are closed and you would like to apply.

When do applications close?

<ul><li>The domestic tuition fee for the Programme is $450 (including GST). Unfortunately, students are not eligible to apply for StudyLink Student Loans for this micro-credential</li><li>The fee for international students in New Zealand is NZD$1,125 (including GST)</li><li>The fee for international students outside of New Zealand is NZD$1,087</li></ul>

What are the fees?

The Entrepreneurship Micro-credential (15 credits, level 8), will support individuals from a range of industries and communities to identify, develop and advance new business ideas or innovative products or services.  The programme is of value to those with a personal or professional interest in entrepreneurship and building an understanding of the skills, knowledge and capabilities that are important for successful entrepreneurial activities.

Who is this programme for?

Not necessarily. If you have an idea for a project or initiative that you would like to advance, you will be able to do this through the course. Through engaging with the material provided, ideas often emerge for learners. Be inspired by that idea that has always been at the back of your mind and see where it can be taken!

Do I have to have an entrepreneurial idea to do this course?

Generally, a 15 credit micro-credential will comprise two summative assessments. Some assessments are individual and others may be group based to encourage collaboration with others. Assessments are about applying your learning to your practice or context - developing small plans, strategies, designing initiatives, and exploring and evaluating key concepts or ideas. All assessments will add demonstrable value to your applied knowledge of the area you&#039;re learning in.In the Entrepreneurship micro-credential you will create a market validation proposal for an entrepreneurial idea, plus develop a lean canvas and pitch deck for your own project idea.

What sort of assessments are required for micro-credentials?

Our stackable learning means you can take a mix ‘n match approach to building your skills, knowledge and network across programmes, no matter which faculty, so you have a customised toolkit to make change and innovate where it matters most to you. You can think of micro-credentials as building blocks of learning. Each building block could be credited to larger qualifications (e.g. a Master’s degree) if a specific micro-credential aligns to specific learning outcomes covered in a larger qualification. It’s worth having a chat with us about what you’re seeking to achieve for your upskilling so we can help with selecting the right learning pathways for you.

What is stackable learning?

This programme is available to study as an international student either via online distance learning or if you currently reside in New Zealand and your visa conditions allow study. To find out more about studying with academyEX as an international student, and for programme fees, visit our <a rel="noreferrer" target="_self" href="https://academyex.com/student-support/international-students">International Students</a> page.

What do I need to know as an international student?

We are very happy to help you to communicate the benefits of studying with academyEX to your employer. If you would like us to provide you with a letter of support or further information, please just ask.

Can you help me to get support from my organisation to support me to enrol in the programme?

Yes, almost all academyEX learners work full time while studying part time. This programme has been designed to fit in around full time work or family commitments, with weekly online sessions taking place at lunchtime or in the late afternoon (usually 4 pm). Assessments are designed to be practical and linked to personal aspirations and projects. If you are concerned about the workload and how you will balance it, please reach out to us and we can chat about how it could work for you.

Can I study and work full time at the same time?

Micro-credentials are delivered entirely online. Each micro-credential has regular online facilitated classes and self-directed study, that includes viewing videos, completing quizzes and reading relevant papers.

Can I study fully online or do I need to be able to travel to Auckland for classes?

In the lead up to the start of each intake, fully enrolled students will receive onboarding emails from the team, as well as access to platforms that will be used during your study. During the first session, the team will talk through what you can expect during the programme and answer any questions.

What does orientation look like?

Absolutely. We’ve had loads of students do the course alongside family members, friends and colleagues. There are also opportunities to work collaboratively on assessments during the programme and work together on a project of interest. Learning is always better together!

Can I do this course with colleagues?

What you need to know - ENT Micro overview

Starts 19 August. Led by Frances Valintine, academyEX’s Disruptive Technologies: The AI One micro-credential provides hands-on, real-world learning in AI and emerging tech. Gain critical skills to lead through innovation and solve complex industry challenges.

Disruptive Technologies: The AI One

Starts 1 September. Learn how to create impactful change in your organisation and community and explore new ways to create positive change in your community, iwi, business, organisation or industry.

Leading Change for Good

Starts 30 October. Built for professionals who want to lead innovation explore emerging technologies and shape the future of work and industries. It&#039;s about creating real-world impacvt by applying foresight, systems thinking, and disruptive tech to today&#039;s complex challenges.

Master of Technological Futures

Starts 30 October. A postgraduate qualification for thos elading transformation in complex, fact-changing environments. Learn to build organisational resilience, manage systems change and lead with empathy AND strategic clarity.

Master of Change and Organisational Resilience

Tech Futures Lab

Learn how to turn your business idea into a reality. Immerse yourself in the world of entrepreneurship as you discover, develop and drive forward business ideas to create new products, services or brands.<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://link.academyex.com/2025-prospectus">Download 2025 Prospectus</a></li></ul>Next intake starts 17 September.

Complete in 10 weeks

Weekly classes, Wednesdays, 4:00-5:30pm

100% online, expertly facilitated

NZQA accredited, Level 8 (15 Credits)

<a href="/courses/micro-credential/entrepreneurship-micro-credential#section_m6h7envo">Learn more about fees</a>

Entrepreneurship Micro-credential#4 (17-09-2025) - Part time

Start your entrepreneurial journey with our Micro-credential Course. Turn ideas into reality. Enrol today!

MICRO-CREDENTIAL

Entrepreneurship

Course duration

Time commitment

Flexible study

Accredited

Entrepreneurship essentials

Skills, attitudes and attributes

Stack your learning

This course is ideal for:

PATHWAYS

Where this could take you

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

What you need to apply

HOW TO APPLY

Application and admissions

FEES & START DATES

Let’s get started!

MEET THE TEAM

Your course facilitators

TESTIMONIALS

Hear from our EXceptional students

KEY INFORMATION

What you need to know

RECOMMENDED COURSES

We think you’ll like these too

Join an EXciting community and stay in the know.