First-Time Founders
Designed for people preparing to launch their first venture. It is especially useful for learners who need a structured, practical route into people operations rather than a purely theoretical overview.
ESH-15593 · Human Resources
People Operations Advanced for First-Time Founders — Human Resources
A 20-hour advanced course for people preparing to launch their first venture who want to solve more complex strategic and execution problems in people operations. The course combines the human resources 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 hoursAdvancedFirst-Time FoundersScale pathway
What you need
A business idea is useful but not required.
European Startup Hub Certificate of Completion — People Operations 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 people operations in the context of human resources.
Outcome 2
Diagnose a realistic people operations challenge using structured startup tools.
Outcome 3
Build a practical people operations output appropriate for first-time founders.
Outcome 4
Evaluate evidence, assumptions and trade-offs before making people operations decisions.
Outcome 5
Apply people operations 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 People Operations
Practical study of foundations of people operations with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 2
The Human Resources context
Practical study of the human resources 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 People Operations
Practical study of tools and frameworks for people operations 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: People Operations in practice
Practical study of case study: people operations in practice with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 11
Applied workshop: build your People Operations output
Practical study of applied workshop: build your people operations 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?
People Operations Advanced for First-Time Founders — Human Resources · 20 hours · Self-paced online
Enrol for €300