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 product design rather than a purely theoretical overview.
ESH-16358 · Design
Product Design Advanced for Early-Stage Startups — Design
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 product design. The course combines the design 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.
Live online20 hoursAdvancedEarly-Stage StartupsScale pathway
What you need
A current startup or validated venture concept is recommended.
European Startup Hub Certificate of Completion — Product Design 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 product design in the context of design.
Outcome 2
Diagnose a realistic product design challenge using structured startup tools.
Outcome 3
Build a practical product design output appropriate for early-stage startups.
Outcome 4
Evaluate evidence, assumptions and trade-offs before making product design decisions.
Outcome 5
Apply product design 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 Product Design
Practical study of foundations of product design with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 2
The Design context
Practical study of the design 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 Product Design
Practical study of tools and frameworks for product design 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: Product Design in practice
Practical study of case study: product design in practice with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 11
Applied workshop: build your Product Design output
Practical study of applied workshop: build your product design 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?
Product Design Advanced for Early-Stage Startups — Design · 20 hours · Live online
Enrol for €405