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 research funding rather than a purely theoretical overview.
ESH-22404 · Research Commercialisation
Research Funding Practitioner for Early-Stage Startups — Research Commercialisation
A 12-hour intermediate course for founders with an idea, prototype or early customers who want to turn concepts into practical startup outputs in research funding. The course combines the research commercialisation 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.
Blended online12 hoursIntermediateEarly-Stage StartupsBuild pathway
What you need
A current startup or validated venture concept is recommended.
European Startup Hub Certificate of Completion — Research Funding Practitioner
Applied exercises, one milestone submission and a final practical project.
Learning outcomes
What you will be able to do.
Outcome 1
Explain the core principles of research funding in the context of research commercialisation.
Outcome 2
Diagnose a realistic research funding challenge using structured startup tools.
Outcome 3
Build a practical research funding output appropriate for early-stage startups.
Outcome 4
Evaluate evidence, assumptions and trade-offs before making research funding decisions.
Outcome 5
Apply research funding 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
10 course modules.
Each module combines explanation, examples and an applied activity.
Module 1
Foundations of Research Funding
Practical study of foundations of research funding with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 2
The Research Commercialisation context
Practical study of the research commercialisation 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 Research Funding
Practical study of tools and frameworks for research funding 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: Research Funding in practice
Practical study of case study: research funding in practice with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Assessment
Applied exercises, one milestone submission and a final practical project.
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?
Research Funding Practitioner for Early-Stage Startups — Research Commercialisation · 12 hours · Blended online
Enrol for €230