Entrepreneurship, without the gatekeeping
“Ready to Build: Women in Entrepreneurship” micro-credential course
Course description
Ready to Build is the Women in Entrepreneurship Micro-Credential from SWEEP TransformHER. It is a short, video-based course that shows what starting a business actually looks like: not a straight line, not a perfect plan, and not reserved for people with the right degree. Through real founder interviews, you will see how journeys begin from wherever people are, how to check that you are solving a real problem, and how to approach money and investment with clear eyes. Each lesson ends with a quick quiz and one thing to do this week.
Three lessons. One path from first step to funding.
Course at a glance:
| Format | Online, self-paced short course: 3 lessons |
| Time | Approximately 1-2 hours, including reflection activities |
| Who it’s for | Women who are curious about entrepreneurship, thinking about taking the first step, or already building and wanting sharper foundations. No business degree, prior experience or finished ideas needed. |
| What you’ll do | Short, practical and built to act on. Every lesson follows the same simple rhythm, so you always know what is coming. WATCH – Founder clips. Short video clips from founders and investors, in their own words. CHECK – Quick quiz. Three multiple-choice questions per lesson, with feedback on every answer. REFLECT – One prompt A short reflection to apply the idea to your own plans, then share it with someone. GO FURTHER – A resource to explore One suggested link per lesson if you want to dig deeper. |
| What you’ll earn | A digital badge earned on completion. Complete all three lessons to earn the Ready to Build digital badge: a shareable record of your learning from SWEEP TransformHER. |
| Cost | Free |
What you will learn
- Starting from where you are. Why you do not need traditional qualifications or one defining moment to begin.
- Solving real problems. How to tell a real problem from a product you simply like, and why to delegate early.
- Funding with eyes open. Why financial struggle is normal, and the basics of getting investment-ready.
Course Outline
Lesson 1: Your Journey, Your Rules
Meet Mark Jarvis, whose path into entrepreneurship did not follow the traditional script. See why there is no single starting point, and write your own reason for beginning.
Lesson 2: Solve Real Problems, Then Get Out of Your Own Way
Learn the difference between problem-market fit and product market fit, and why the most valuable thing a founder can do is only what only they can do.
Lesson 3: Failure, Finance, and Getting Investment-Ready
Hear an honest take on financial reality, learn how to make an offer that is easy to say yes to, and see what investors look for in a pitch deck.
Wherever you are starting from,
it is enough to begin.
Meet the entrepreneurs
Mark Jarvis
Founder, NED, Business Growth Advisor (SMEs)
Mark Jarvis is a company founder, director, entrepreneur, business mentor and coach, of over 30 years experience, interim MD, NED, investor, author and speaker. Mark helps businesses and organisations to start-up, scale-up and sell-up by co-creating solutions that grow people, enhance processes, protect the planet, develop products and increase profitability.
Website: https://mark-jarvis.co.uk
Tommy Atkins
Founder, Multi-business owner, Entrepreneur
Tommy is an entrepreneur from Lincoln, best known for his position as founder of Identity Agency, a full-service, brand-first creative agency specialising in graphic design, website design, video production, and social media. He is involved in multiple businesses across a diverse range of industries.
Website: https://identityagency.co.uk
How to enrol
Access the course
- Follow the course link provided below to access the course you would like to complete.
- Before you can access the course, you will be taken to the Rise landing page. Ignore the message “This course is currently unavailable to students”, and go to the top right-hand corner, you will see a link labelled ‘Log In’.
- Under ‘External user login only’, enter your username and password. If this is your first time accessing the Rise platform, you can create an account using the ‘Create New Account’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. Please use the email address and full name details you would like it to be associated with your digital badge, which you will receive upon successful completion of the course. Make a note of your username, as you will need this to sign in. If you forget your username, you can request a password reset email, which will include your username.
- You will receive an email at the address you supplied. Follow the instructions to confirm your account.
- Once you have created your guest account, return to the original course link and click it again.
- You may be asked to sign in again. If so, use the external account credentials you have just created. If you have forgotten these details, you can request a password reset email.
Once signed in, you will be able to enrol on and start the course. We hope you enjoy the course!
If you have issues with accessing the course please contact us via ngulko@lincoln.ac.uk or Sanlie.Middelberg@nwu.ac.za
This micro-credential course is designed under the Student Women Economic Empowerment Programme (SWEEP), implemented in collaboration with the British Council, and hosted by the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme under Universities South Africa (USAf).
The course designers:
Dr. Mamorena Matsoso (University of Johannesburg), Dr. Leonie Greyling (North-West University), Prof. Liz Warren (Manchester Metropolitan University), Prof. Nadia Gulko (University of Lincoln), Prof Sanlie Middelberg (North-West University), Krimson.