Venture Capital Methods

1.5 units

Students are exposed to the process of analyzing, valuing and structuring potential equity investments in privately-held, entrepreneurial, venture-stage businesses. The goal is to develop critical thinking skills in evaluating potential investments and understanding the dynamics of various risk factors predominant in such investments, including market risk, execution risk and technology risk. The classes will be a combination of individual readings, case learning, presentations and panel discussions by industry experts, and experiential learning in a team format. Classes will be case study driven and will focus on company-and fund­ specific situations. Guest lecturers will be used extensively and will provide content integral to the course. The final sessions of the class will be conducted as a presentation and analysis of a potential investment.