Academy

The Venture industry is very well known for its high returns on invested capital on one side, and increased risks on the other. The goal of “Venture Capital for Executives” course is to bring the best expertise and experience to people around the world who want to become successful venture investors. We will give learners practical instruments that will teach them how to evaluate the best deals, while significantly reducing the perils of investing in startups, and by that increasing their potential income.

The course is targeted at executives and/or wealthy individuals looking to understand how to invest in venture capital, learners looking for a career at the VC industry, VC fund employees, and co-founders looking to join a startup.

 

Goals and Outcomes

 

Student will know:

  • Where to scout for under-the-radar deals
  • How to analyze a potential deal
  • What to watch out for and how to negotiate an investment contract
  • How to mentor a startup
  • When to exit and how to maximize profits

 

Pre-requisites:

  • Good level of English to negotiate and seal deals 
  • Basic familiarity with how investments work: risks and profits
  • Understanding the provided financial information
  • Rudimentary business experience
  • Fundamental knowledge of technological trends

 

Module Structures

 

Module structure:

  • First Lecture: 45 min
  • Second Lecture: 45 min
  • Break: 15 min
  • Practical Task: 1 hour
  • Break: 15 min
  • Tasks debriefing: 1 hour

 

Daily schedule:

  • 9.00 – 13.00 Morning Module
  • 13.00 – 14.00 Lunch Break
  • 14.00 – 18.00 Afternoon Module
  • 18.00 – 19.00 Mingling

 

Modules Content

 

Module 1. “Venture investment fundamentals”              

  • Welcome, overview of the course and lecturers
  • Introductions
  • Venture Investments: specifics, history, trends
  • Venture Investments versus Alternative Investments
  • Different approaches in VC investments: angels, LP’s, funds, funds of funds

  

 

Module 2. “Under-the-radar scouting”

  • Technological trends
  • Where to find great startups – active and passive approaches
  • Working with sources – angels, CPAs, attorneys, founders
  • How to listen to elevator pitches and read startup decks
  • Startup scorecard
  • TASK: evaluate and rate 20 decks in 1 hour

 

 

Module 3. “Analyzing a startup”                                      

  • Product and Technology
  • Market Analysis
  • Legal
  • Business and financials
  • Analytics (Unit economy, ARPU, CAC, LTV, churn etc.)
  • Team
  • TASK: analyse a real startup

 

 

Module 4. “Sealing a deal”                                    

  • Types of financing: SAFE, CLA, Venture Debt, Equity
  • Investment agreement: liquidation preferences and rights
  • Cross cultural negotiations
  • TASK: Negotiate a deal with a startup (The Future Unicorn case)

 

 

Module 5. “Portfolio Management”.      

  • Mentoring a startup – best practices of being a director
  • Real time mentoring session
  • Startup methodologies – lean startup, the who, agile
  • Working with service providers – consultants, finders, advisors
  • TASK: fill in a lean canvas. Review and advise on a deck

 

 

Module 6. “Exit and course summary”.                                                                                   

  • Understanding when it is time to exit
  • Understanding how to exit: IPO, buyout, secondary
  • How to survive the ocean
  • Investment lifehacks: co-investments
  • Program conclusion
  • Evaluation and feedback
  • CLOSING RECEPTION

 

 

Thank you for your time to read through the Curriculum! If is is of interest, do feel free to leave us your email and contact below: