Discover how fermentation is transforming industries and driving a sustainable future. This course begins by exploring the evolution of fermentation—from ancient food traditions to modern precision techniques—and why it matters today. You’ll dive into the science behind fermentation, including microbes, synthetic biology, and feedstocks, before examining the innovative products shaping global markets in food, beauty, and industrial materials. Finally, you’ll tackle one of the biggest challenges: scaling fermentation from lab to commercial production.
New Fermentation Markets and How They Scale
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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
Recommended experience
6 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Explain how fermentation evolved and why precision fermentation matters for sustainability.
Analyze market trends and product innovations shaping the global bioeconomy.
Evaluate scale-up challenges and strategies for moving from lab to commercial production.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Recently updated!
November 2025
Assessments
6 assignments
Taught in English
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There are 4 modules in this course
In the course orientation, we’ll get to know the course, our learning environment, and the tools we’ll use. Then, we’ll explore how fermentation has evolved—from ancient food traditions to cutting-edge innovations. Together, we’ll discover why precision fermentation is reshaping the future of food, sustainability, and the bioeconomy. This foundational module sets the stage for understanding the science and markets we’ll explore next.
What's included
4 videos4 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt
Building on the big-picture context, this module takes us inside the science of fermentation. We’ll learn how traditional and precision fermentation differ, explore the role of synthetic biology, and examine the sustainability of common feedstocks. By the end, we’ll have the core concepts needed to understand how fermentation technologies work—and why they’re gaining traction across industries.
What's included
5 videos2 readings1 assignment
Now that we understand the science, it’s time to see what fermentation can create. This module highlights key product categories—from food and beauty to industrial materials—and connects them to global market trends. We’ll even explore an interactive map of regional fermentation hubs to see how geography, feedstocks, and innovation shape the bioeconomy.
What's included
6 videos2 readings1 assignment
In our final module, we’ll examine what it takes to bring fermentation innovations to scale. We’ll explore capacity constraints, technology readiness levels, and workforce needs. Through a scenario-based activity, we’ll step into the role of an advisor helping a startup navigate scale-up strategy. After completing this module, we’ll be ready to take the final assessment and earn our Coursera certificate!
What's included
6 videos6 readings2 assignments
Offered by
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Status: Free TrialUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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