Early-Stage Startups
Designed for founders with an idea, prototype or early customers. It is especially useful for learners who need a structured, practical route into strategic analysis rather than a purely theoretical overview.
ESH-01931 · Business Strategy
Strategic Analysis Advanced for Early-Stage Startups — Business Strategy
A 20-hour advanced course for founders with an idea, prototype or early customers who want to solve more complex strategic and execution problems in strategic analysis. The course combines the business strategy context with practical frameworks, realistic cases, guided exercises and a final applied output. Participants finish with a structured approach they can adapt to a real venture, team or project.
Self-paced online20 hoursAdvancedEarly-Stage StartupsScale pathway
What you need
A current startup or validated venture concept is recommended.
European Startup Hub Certificate of Completion — Strategic Analysis Advanced
Advanced case work, strategic analysis and a capstone decision brief.
Learning outcomes
What you will be able to do.
Outcome 1
Explain the core principles of strategic analysis in the context of business strategy.
Outcome 2
Diagnose a realistic strategic analysis challenge using structured startup tools.
Outcome 3
Build a practical strategic analysis output appropriate for early-stage startups.
Outcome 4
Evaluate evidence, assumptions and trade-offs before making strategic analysis decisions.
Outcome 5
Apply strategic analysis methods to a venture, project or organisational scenario.
Outcome 6
Create a next-step action plan that can be used after the course.
Full syllabus
12 course modules.
Each module combines explanation, examples and an applied activity.
Module 1
Foundations of Strategic Analysis
Practical study of foundations of strategic analysis with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 2
The Business Strategy context
Practical study of the business strategy context with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 3
Customers, users and stakeholder needs
Practical study of customers, users and stakeholder needs with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 4
Tools and frameworks for Strategic Analysis
Practical study of tools and frameworks for strategic analysis with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 5
Evidence, data and assumptions
Practical study of evidence, data and assumptions with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 6
Designing the approach
Practical study of designing the approach with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 7
Execution and operating decisions
Practical study of execution and operating decisions with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 8
Measurement and key indicators
Practical study of measurement and key indicators with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 9
Risks, ethics and common failure modes
Practical study of risks, ethics and common failure modes with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 10
Case study: Strategic Analysis in practice
Practical study of case study: strategic analysis in practice with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 11
Applied workshop: build your Strategic Analysis output
Practical study of applied workshop: build your strategic analysis output with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 12
Action plan and next milestones
Practical study of action plan and next milestones with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Assessment
Advanced case work, strategic analysis and a capstone decision brief.
Included materials
Digital course notes · Practical worksheets · Case exercises · Action-plan template · Completion record in ESH ID
Learning support
Platform learning support; live facilitator interaction is included where the delivery format states Live online or Blended online.
Course information & disclaimer
Educational programme. Completion does not constitute professional, legal, financial or investment advice and does not guarantee funding, employment or business outcomes. Catalogue version 2026.1 · Last reviewed 2026-08-24.
Ready to begin?
Strategic Analysis Advanced for Early-Stage Startups — Business Strategy · 20 hours · Self-paced online
Enrol for €300