As a student at an INVEST alliance partner university, you have access to flexible, international, and future‑focused online courses.
INVEST offers four online course options to help you take your skills to the next level. You may choose one or more courses based on your interests. The courses are open to Bachelor’s and Master’s students from all study fields.
During spring 2026, four online courses will be available. The courses are offered with two application periods and two different implementation schedules, depending on the course. Detailed information about each course is provided under the course descriptions below.
Developing a Business Growth Plan with the Help of AI – 2 ECTS
Application period: February 13 – March 4, 2026
Apply here: Karelia UAS students, please apply in Peppi (PR10088-3001), students from other INVEST universities, please apply via this online form
Course duration: March 9 – April 30, 2026
In this asynchronous online course, you will learn to create simplified growth plans for an existing business idea or business model by adapting it to the three fundamental growth engines (sticky, viral, and paid). Using artificial intelligence (AI) as a drafting, ideation, and evaluation partner, you will produce three distinct versions of your business idea/model. Each version modified is based on one of the three growth engines. This is followed by you learning to define the key metrics required to monitor and sustain growth for each version.
Course Content
- Introduction to the three growth engines: sticky (high customer retention and long lifetime value), viral (customer-driven acquisition through referrals and network effects), and paid (acquisition through paid marketing channels)
- Adapting the business model to each growth engine: systematically modify key elements (product description, marketing processes, and revenue streams) to align with the chosen engine while preserving the core customer need targeted.
- Defining and calculating key metrics: identify and quantify the essential metrics for each growth engine (e.g., churn rate and LTV for sticky; viral coefficient and referral rate for viral; CAC, payback period, and LTV/CAC ratio for paid).
- Using AI throughout the process: apply targeted AI prompts to brainstorm modifications, generate metric scenarios.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the three growth engines and their underlying mechanics.
- Adapt an existing business idea or model into three distinct versions, each optimized for a different primary growth engine.
- Define and calculate the key metrics required to monitor and sustain growth for each engine.
- Use AI prompts effectively to generate modifications and refine growth plans.
Course Format
This asynchronous online course is conducted in English and consists of instructional materials, AI interaction prompts, and hands-on assignments. You will, with the help of AI, produce three adapted versions of your business model together with their growth plans and defined metrics. An online multiple-choice exam is used as one assessment method. The course is designed for bachelor and master level students with at least a B1 level of English proficiency and basic familiarity with digital tools.
Defining and Evaluating a Business Model with the Help of AI – 2 ECTS
Application period: February 13 – March 4, 32026
Apply here: Karelia students, please apply in Peppi (PR10087-3001), students from other INVEST universities, please apply via this online form
Course duration: March 9 – April 30, 2026
In this asynchronous online course, you will learn how to turn an initial business idea into a complete, explicit business model and then test whether it is viable using artificial intelligence (AI) as a drafting, checking, and iteration partner. The course combines two structured method cards: Business model definition (to create a coherent model with clear choices) and Business model quantitative evaluation (to test profitability, product–market fit requirements, and feasibility using a reverse income statement approach).
Course Content
- Business model definition: Clarify the business foundations (vision and founders) and define the key elements of the model: product, pricing, customers and customer need, target area, competition and advantage, marketing & sales, production & delivery, resources & partners, and cost structure—then run a quality check for clarity, completeness, and internal consistency.
- Quantitative evaluation and improvement: Use a reverse income statement to calculate required unit sales and break-even point, translate required sales into customer and market-share requirements, and assess feasibility via working-hours (FTE needs) and marketing budget. Identify bottlenecks (e.g., unrealistic market share, weak margins, capacity constraints), adjust assumptions or redesign parts of the model, and re-run the evaluation to compare scenarios.
- Using AI throughout the process: Apply AI to draft and refine business model elements, uncover missing components, challenge assumptions, and support scenario testing—while verifying calculations and keeping only inputs you can justify.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Define a complete business model with clear, explicit choices (from customer need to cost structure) using a structured checklist.
- Use AI prompts to draft, refine, and quality-check a business model while maintaining critical judgement and validation discipline.
- Build a quantitative model (reverse income statement) to calculate required sales volume, customers, market share, working-hours, and marketing budget.
- Evaluate viability across profitability, product–market fit, and feasibility.
- Improve the business model using targeted changes and re-test for viability.
Course Format
This asynchronous online course is conducted in English and consists of instructional materials, AI interaction prompts, and hands-on assignments. You will, with the help of AI, produce business model definition documents and quantitative evaluations (with calculations and viability checks), and then propose improvements based on bottlenecks. An online multiple-choice exam is used as one assessment method.
INVEST in YOU! – 2 ECTS
Key skills for navigating multicultural collaboration and sustainable development
Application period: March 9 – 27, 2026
Apply here: The application form will be available here during the application period
Course duration: April 1 – May 15, 2026
In this asynchronous online course, you will learn essential skills for navigating the future of work, which is increasingly international, rapidly changing, and aligned with sustainable development goals. We aim to equip students with the competencies they need to thrive in a multicultural and dynamic working environment. The content is created from the INVEST alliance point of view, providing practical information and examples to help you start your international journey through INVEST during your studies.
Course Content
- Introduction to INVEST: Understand the structure and goals of the INVEST alliance.
- Multicultural Teamwork and Communication: Learn effective strategies for working in diverse teams and enhancing communication skills.
- Soft Skills: Develop essential soft skills that are crucial for personal and professional growth.
- Sustainable Development: From Studies to Future Career: Explore the principles of sustainable development and how they can be applied to your future career.
- Shaping Your Future: Reflect on your aspirations and plan your career path within the context of global megatrends
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Navigate multicultural collaboration effectively.
- Adapt to the rapidly changing working life.
- Work towards sustainable development goals.
- Utilize practical information and examples to start your international journey through INVEST.
Course Format
This asynchronous online course is conducted in English and consists of various learning materials, including videos, podcasts, and assignments. These resources will help you apply the newly acquired skills in practice. The course is designed for bachelor and master level students with at least a B1 level of English proficiency.
AI-enabled early innovation – 3 ECTS
Developing New Business Ideas with Personal Means and AI
Application period: March 9 – 27, 2026
Apply here: The application form will be available here during the application period
Course duration: April 1 – May 15, 2026
In this asynchronous online course, you will learn to develop innovative business ideas by combining your personal resources with emerging technologies, enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI). We aim to equip students with practical skills for early-stage innovation, focusing on effectual entrepreneurship and AI-assisted creativity. The content draws from proven innovation frameworks, providing step-by-step guidance and AI prompts to help you generate, refine, and plan viable ideas during your studies.
Course Content
The course consists of a 10-step innovation process with guidance on using AI at each step:
- Identifying Personal Means and Problems: Assess your assets, skills, experiences, networks, and values to uncover real-world problems and goals.
- Exploring New Technologies: Analyze innovative products/services as multipurpose technologies and their potential applications.
- Idea Generation and Selection: Combine means with technologies to brainstorm ideas, then select the most promising using structured methods like the Pugh approach.
- Market and Concept Development: Define target markets, refine product concepts, and establish competitive advantages and value propositions.
- Planning for Implementation: Create minimum viable products (MVPs) and outline actionable plans for launching ideas.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify and leverage your personal means to generate grounded, achievable business ideas.
- Use AI tools effectively for analysis, idea generation, market insights, and implementation planning.
- Apply a structured 10-step process to develop innovative solutions that address real problems and align with emerging technologies.
- Evaluate and refine ideas for better product-market fit, competitive advantage, and sustainability.
- Utilize practical AI prompts and templates to document and present your innovation journey.
Course Format
This asynchronous online course is conducted in English and consists of various learning materials, including instructional videos, AI interaction prompts, and assignments. A multiple-choice exam is one of the assessment methods. These resources will guide you through hands-on activities, such as completing an innovation template (report) based on the process steps. The course is designed for bachelor and master level students with at least a B1 level of English proficiency and basic familiarity with digital tools
