API Fundamentals for Product Managers
Emmanuel Paraskakis
Founder, Level 250 | 3x VP, API Products
Are you a PM looking to accelerate your journey into the world of APIs?
This course will help you bridge the gap between your current expertise and the technical knowledge needed to build products that power experiences for millions of users.
Here’s why an API PM role might be your next big career move:
• You’ll develop deep technical skills without needing to be a full-time coder.
• You can position yourself as a niche specialist, potentially earning a premium salary.
• You’ll have greater autonomy once you understand the ins and outs of APIs.
• You’ll build and launch products that are core to modern digital ecosystems.
API Fundamentals for Product Managers focuses on the essentials, getting you up to speed quickly so you can confidently talk to developers, gather requirements, and launch your first API product.
Here’s a preview of what we’ll cover in this live, cohort-based course:
• What makes an API Product successful
• Gathering API requirements from customers
• Examples of strong API design and usability
• Building a great Developer Experience as a PM
• Monetizing APIs
• Key metrics and KPIs for API Products
By the end of this course, you’ll have the skills and perspective to deliver real value and confidently guide the next generation of API-driven products.
What you’ll learn
Become an API Product Manager. Go from generalist to specialist and ship winning API products.
Articulate the importance and business impact of APIs.
Define relevant stakeholders and use cases.
Understand the API Product Manager’s pivotal role.
Explain how APIs work, illustrate core design principles that drive usability, and discuss why good API design matters.
Demonstrate how to invoke and test APIs using client apps, interpret responses, and ensure high-quality and relevant content.
Identify key success factors for real-world API products and how they drive business value.
Develop a clear business strategy for API products.
Work through prototyping, customer discovery, and validation.
Learn how to define the unique value of your APIs and explore strategies for monetizing them.
Build a compelling DX by understanding how developers evaluate, learn, and adopt APIs.
Write clear technical requirements and measure API success through key metrics.
Analyze best-of-breed Developer Portals, dissect their design, and evaluate their DX to uncover best practices.
Group discussions where you can learn from others.
Four projects, working hands-on to evaluate actual API products.
Optional Q&A after the main sessions with the instructor - we'll stay in the session as long as needed.
Learn directly from Emmanuel
Emmanuel Paraskakis
Emmanuel Paraskakis
15+ years in APIs | Product Consultant for SaaS and API Companies | 3x VP PM
Previously At:
Who this course is for
Product Managers with no API experience who want to launch and manage winning API Products.
New API Product Managers who are transitioning into the role.
Leaders who want to hire and manage API Product Managers.
Prerequisites
Some Product Management Experience Required
While you don't need API experience, it's a good idea to know PM fundamentals.
What's included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Emmanuel Paraskakis in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Maven Guarantee
This course is backed by the Maven Guarantee. Students are eligible for a full refund up until the halfway point of the course.
Syllabus
4 live sessions • 41 lessons • 4 projects
Week 1
Jan
8
API Product Fundamentals
Thu 1/85:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)Jan
9
Working with APIs
Fri 1/95:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)
Module 1: Build a Strong API Foundation
Module 2: Gain Hands-On API Skills
Week 2
Jan
15
The Business of APIs
Thu 1/155:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)Jan
16
Building Developer Experiences
Fri 1/165:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)
Module 3: Master the Business of APIs
Module 4: Deliver Exceptional Developer Experiences
Free lesson
How to break into API Product Management
What Is API Product Management and Why It’s Worth Pursuing
Understand how API PM differs from traditional PM roles—and why it pays off.
Where to Find an API Product Management Job
Discover which industries and companies need API PMs, and learn how to network with them.
How to Prepare for the API Product Manager Interview
Learn what hiring managers expect so you can stand out and secure the offer.
How to Upskill for the API PM Role
Identify gaps in your technical or market knowledge, then build a plan to fill them.
Schedule
Live sessions
6 hrs / week
2 Live sessions x 3 hrs weekly
Thu, Jan 8
5:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)
Fri, Jan 9
5:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)
Thu, Jan 15
5:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)
Fri, Jan 16
5:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)
Projects
2 hrs / week
Complete each session with a take-home project that helps consolidate your learning and lets you experience real-world products before applying the lessons to your own.
Async content
1 hr / week
Light pre-reading requirement for session 1
Frequently asked questions
Students Enrolled From
$999
USD