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Financing Innovative Ventures

This course will demystify key financial concepts to give aspiring and active entrepreneurs and innovators a guide for understanding their financials and securing funding. Assuming that our learners have no prior knowledge in accounting, economics, or finance, we will work from the ground up to:

● Examine the many financing options available to get your new venture funded

● Learn the basics of finance, valuations, dilution, and non-dilutive funding source

● Understand capital structure for new ventures, term sheets and how to negotiate them, and the differences between early-stage versus later-stage financing

● Develop an understanding of how to develop winning investor pitches, who and when to pitch, how to avoid common mistakes that limit the effectiveness of the pitch, and how to ‘get to the close.

Key questions answered within the course include:

● If and when to raise outside capital?

● What kind of investors invest by stage and where to find them?

● What are your fundraising options?

● What are the key components of the term sheet?

● How to perform company valuations?

● How to pitch to investors?

● What techniques help the entrepreneur ‘get to the close’?

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand the concepts and speak the language of financial entrepreneurship for startup funding and corporate venturing
Analyze the common means of funding new companies including angel investors and venture capital

Create new business concepts that require limited funding during the nascent stages
Successfully present business ideas via persuasive written and oral presentations

Understand the concepts and speak the language of financial entrepreneurship for startup funding and corporate venturing
Analyze the common means of funding new companies including angel investors and venture capital
Create new business concepts that require limited funding during the nascent stages
Successfully present business ideas via persuasive written and oral presentations

Syllabus

Module 1: The Early Stage Investment Landscape

This session provides insights into the investment landscape, to include how investors and lenders evaluate new ventures. Key terminology and principles are addressed to provide learners without an accounting or finance background with an understanding of these areas.

Module 2: Sources of Capital for Startups and Corporate Ventures

This session examines the options that entrepreneurs and innovators face in where to raise their financial capital from in the early stages of their venture. From friends and family, to angel investors and venture capitalists, the pros and cons of each source of capital are explored. We will also explore the different sources of internal and external financing for the corporate venture.

Module 3: Getting Funded – Steps in the Funding Process

This session discusses the techniques and tools to secure funding for a new venture. This provides insights into how entrepreneurs can create a comprehensive funding strategy for their new venture.

Module 4: Pitching Investors and Closing the Round

This final session instructs learners on how to share their investment opportunity with investors and partners, to include those that manage internal corporate funding decisions. With practical tips on the do's and don'ts of pitching, learners are able to develop a compelling story for their new venture.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Targets ambitious and active entrepreneurs aiming to acquire capital and put plans into action

Suitable for aspiring and active entrepreneurs with little to no prior knowledge in finance

Facilitates understanding of financial concepts and their application in securing funding

Guides participants in developing effective investor pitches and comprehending key terms in the financial domain

Outlines a range of funding options available for businesses at different stages of development

Explores the nuances of term sheets and negotiations in fundraising

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Reviews summary

Highly rated venture capital course

Learners say this course is highly valuable, well-paced, and informative. There is an easy-to-follow structure that covers the fundamentals of financing innovative ventures. Students state that the faculty is highly experienced, knowledgeable, and ensures the concepts are presented in a manner that is easy to understand. This course is great for entrepreneurs who seek funding, students, and those who wish to expand their business knowledge.

Focus on practical applications

"It is worth all of your time you need to watch this basic online business start up structures guidance, and terminology, well done and well-made"

"This course gives you all the details (and more) for entrepreneurs in the early stages of their businesses. It is practical and well worth your time."

"Very comprehensive with well provided discussions and examples, full guidelines in raising capital; reasons for starting business venture with business plan; and the financial statements required from businesses."

Concepts are presented clearly

"Informative, well-paced course. Professor is extremely knowledgeable and thoughtful about his content."

"This has been the easiest and the most helpful course on startup financing so far."

"The course has been designed in an easy to understand format. Concepts have been explained very lucidly."

Faculty has real-world experience

"Excellent course! Such a difficult subject made so easy! Very knowledgeable and experienced faculty!"

"Very well-structured. I enjoy this class very much. Michael Pratt with his real-life experience guided me through an exciting journey of financing for my new ventures."

"The VC world can be intimidating and this class did an excellent job of summarizing the overwhelming amount of terms, demonstrating examples, providing templates and additional resources, as well as sharing senior expert advice."

Helpful information for entrepreneurs

"Really enjoy this class by Michael."

"The course is really useful to the beginners in financial and accounting, and especially helpful to the small business owners."

"This course gives a great introduction to concepts associated with financing Innovative Ventures."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Financing Innovative Ventures with these activities:

Learn the Basics of Financial Statements

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Complete a few guided tutorials on accounting and financial statements. You should understand how to read and analyze a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.

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Find a Tutorial on Reading Financial Statements
Complete the Tutorial
Find a Practice Balance Sheet and Income Statement
Analyze the Financial Statements

Read 'Venture Deals'

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Read 'Venture Deals' to learn about the legal, financial, and operational aspects of venture capital.

View Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and... on Amazon

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Review Your Notes
Purchase or Borrow 'Venture Deals'
Read 'Venture Deals'
Take Notes While Reading

Review Angel Investing Networks

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Review Angel investing websites and research existing Angel investing groups. This will help you see what types of businesses are typically funded by angel investors.

Browse courses on Angel Investors

Show steps

Search for Angel Investing Groups
Review Angel Investing Networks
Research Successful Angel Investments

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Fundraising Plan

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Develop a fundraising plan for your business venture. This should include details about your target investors, pitch deck, and funding goals.

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Research Funding Sources
Develop a Pitch Deck
Create a Fundraising Timeline
Set Funding Goals

Practice Financial Calculations

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Complete a few practice drills on financial calculations, such as calculating the present value of a future cash flow.

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Review Your Results
Find a Practice Test on Financial Calculations
Complete the Practice Test

Craft an Investor Presentation

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Develop an investor presentation for your business venture. This should include details about your team, product, and financial projections.

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Define Your Target Audience
Develop Your Presentation Outline
Create Your Presentation Slides
Rehearse Your Presentation

Organize Course Resources

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Compile your notes, slides, and other materials from the course into an organized format. This will make it easier to review and study later.

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Gather Course Materials
Organize Materials by Topic
Create a Study Guide

Career center

Learners who complete Financing Innovative Ventures will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business, and they must have a strong understanding of finance in order to make sound decisions. Getting Funded – Steps in the Funding Process can help budding Entrepreneurs through the financial aspects of starting a business, helping them better understand concepts like investment and valuation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Venture Capitalist

Venture Capitalists provide funding to early-stage companies with high growth potential. This course can help Venture Capitalists better understand the financial needs of new ventures and how to evaluate investment opportunities. Additionally, knowledge of The Early Stage Investment Landscape can help Venture Capitalists identify potential investment opportunities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Venture Capitalist

Corporate Venturer

Corporate Venturers are responsible for identifying, evaluating, and investing in new ventures that align with the strategic goals of their corporation. This course can help Corporate Venturers better understand the financial needs of new ventures and how to evaluate investment opportunities. Additionally, knowledge of Sources of Capital for Startups and Corporate Ventures can help Corporate Venturers identify potential investment opportunities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Venturer

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies raise capital and provide financial advice. This course can help Investment Bankers better understand the financial needs of new ventures and how to structure funding deals that meet the needs of both the company and the investors. Additionally, knowledge of Pitching Investors and Closing the Round can help Investment Bankers better prepare their clients for the fundraising process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts provide valuable insights to companies by analyzing financial data and making recommendations. This course can help Financial Analysts better understand the financial needs of new ventures and how to evaluate investment opportunities. Additionally, knowledge of Sources of Capital for Startups and Corporate Ventures can help Financial Analysts identify potential investment opportunities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Angel Investor

Angel Investors provide funding to early-stage companies with high growth potential. This course can help Angel Investors better understand the financial needs of new ventures and how to evaluate investment opportunities. Additionally, knowledge of Pitching Investors and Closing the Round can help Angel Investors better prepare their portfolio companies for the fundraising process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Angel Investor

Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities for their companies. This course can help Business Development Managers better understand the financial needs of new ventures and how to evaluate investment opportunities. Additionally, knowledge of Sources of Capital for Startups and Corporate Ventures can help Business Development Managers identify potential partners and customers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Credit Analyst

Credit Analysts evaluate the creditworthiness of borrowers and make recommendations on whether to approve or deny loans. This course can help Credit Analysts better understand the financial needs of new ventures and how to evaluate their creditworthiness.

See salaries and explore the career path for Credit Analyst

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and motivating their sales teams to achieve revenue goals. This course can help Sales Managers better understand the financial implications of sales targets and how to make sound decisions about sales strategies.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. This course can help Product Managers better understand the financial implications of new product development and how to make sound decisions about product pricing and marketing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. This course can help Operations Managers better understand the financial implications of operational decisions and how to make sound decisions about resource allocation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families plan for their financial future. This course can help Financial Planners better understand the financial needs of new ventures and how to provide financial advice to entrepreneurs.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns to promote their company's products or services. This course can help Marketing Managers better understand the financial implications of marketing campaigns and how to make sound decisions about marketing budgets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Financial Controller

Financial Controllers are responsible for the financial reporting and accounting of a business. This course can help Financial Controllers better understand the financial needs of new ventures and how to prepare financial statements for investors.

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Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. This course can help Economists better understand the financial implications of economic policies and how to make sound decisions about economic development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Financing Innovative Ventures.

Venture Deals

Save

Provides practical advice on the legal and financial aspects of venture capital deals. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who are raising capital or negotiating with investors.

Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and...

Hardcover

Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and...

Hardcover

Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and...

Hardcover

(Deutsch) Venture Deals: Seien Sie klüger als Ihr Anwalt und...

Kindle Edition

Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and...

Audible Audiobook

Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...

Save

Introduces the concept of the "lean startup" methodology, which emphasizes building a minimum viable product, testing it with customers, and iterating based on feedback. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who are looking to launch a new business or product.

The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...

Hardcover

The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...

Kindle Edition