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Michael R. Pratt

This course is for aspiring or active entrepreneurs who wants to understand how to secure funding for their company. This course will demystify key financing concepts to give entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs a guide to secure funding.

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This course is for aspiring or active entrepreneurs who wants to understand how to secure funding for their company. This course will demystify key financing concepts to give entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs a guide to secure funding.

Examine the many financing options available to get your new venture funded. Learn the basics of finance, valuations, dilution and non-dilutive funding sources. 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:

* 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’?

With this course, students experience a sampling of the ideas and techniques explored in the University of Maryland's master's degree in technology entrepreneurship, an innovative 100% online program. Learn more at http://mte.umd.edu/landing.

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What's inside

Syllabus

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.
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Sources of Capital for the Early Stage Company
This session examines the options that entrepreneurs 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.
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.
Pitching Investors and Closing the Round
This final session instructs learners on how to share their investment opportunity with investors and partners. 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
Develops a comprehensive understanding of funding and investment options for early-stage startups
Provides practical insights into the funding process, term sheets, and investor negotiations
Emphasizes the importance of pitching and presentation skills for securing funding
Covers key topics such as company valuations, due diligence, and the startup financing landscape
Offers a structured approach to fundraising, from early-stage to later-stage financing
Provides a strong foundation for entrepreneurs seeking to secure funding for their ventures

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Reviews summary

Well-received course on funding startups

Learners say this course provides a solid foundation for understanding how to secure startup funding through engaging video lectures, suggested readings, and practical tips that can be applied to creating a pitch deck. Students indicate the course is well-packaged and may be particularly helpful for aspiring entrepreneurs and young managers in the early stages of development.
The instructor was knowledgeable and actively engaged with students.
"Prof Michael Pratt is a great teacher, with rich experience in the new venture financing field."
"He actively participated at the discussion forums to clear the doubts of students."
Students enjoyed this course.
"Solid course for a first contact with the start-up funding world."
"It will be of tremendous help for me as I intend to be an entrepreneur one day and start my own company."
"It was a great learning experience."
Learners found the course content to be clear and engaging.
"I would rate this course a solid 4."
"The course is well packaged with the video lectures and the suggested readings."
"Just lovely!"

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 New Venture Finance: Startup Funding for Entrepreneurs with these activities:
Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist
Gain insights into the venture capital landscape and negotiation strategies by reading this highly regarded book.
Show steps
Review Financial Accounting
Review basic financial accounting concepts to strengthen your foundation for understanding financial statements.
Browse courses on Financial Accounting
Show steps
  • Read a book on financial accounting
  • Take an online course on financial accounting
  • Review your old notes or study materials
  • Work through practice problems
Review Microeconomics
Refresh your understanding of microeconomic principles to better grasp the dynamics of markets and business decisions.
Browse courses on Microeconomics
Show steps
  • Read a book on microeconomics
  • Take an online course on microeconomics
  • Review your old notes or study materials
  • Work through practice problems
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Investment Term Sheet Analysis
Engage with classmates to analyze and discuss key provisions of investment term sheets, enhancing your understanding of financing agreements.
Show steps
  • Form a study group with classmates
  • Select a sample investment term sheet to analyze
  • Review and discuss each provision of the term sheet
  • Identify and debate potential negotiation points
  • Summarize your findings and present them to the class
Company Pitch
Develop a compelling investment pitch for a hypothetical or real-world company to practice presenting your business case effectively.
Show steps
  • Conduct market research and define your target audience
  • Develop a clear and concise value proposition
  • Outline your financial projections and growth strategy
  • Create a visually appealing and engaging presentation
  • Rehearse your pitch and get feedback from peers or a mentor
Startup Pitch Competition
Participate in a startup pitch competition to gain invaluable experience presenting your business ideas and receiving feedback from investors.
Show steps
  • Develop a compelling startup idea
  • Craft a concise and impactful pitch
  • Practice your pitch and prepare for questions
  • Present your pitch to a panel of investors
  • Receive feedback and evaluate your performance
Business Plan
Develop a comprehensive business plan to outline your company's goals, strategies, and financial projections, solidifying your understanding of business planning.
Show steps
  • Define your business concept and market analysis
  • Establish your company's mission, vision, and values
  • Develop a detailed marketing and sales strategy
  • Outline your operational plan and management team
  • Create financial projections and forecast your revenue and expenses
Startup Simulation
Engage in a simulation where you lead a startup from ideation to launch, strengthening your decision-making and problem-solving skills in a real-world context.
Show steps
  • Develop a business idea and conduct market research
  • Build a prototype or minimum viable product (MVP)
  • Secure funding and assemble a team
  • Launch your product or service
  • Monitor your progress, adapt to market feedback, and make necessary adjustments

Career center

Learners who complete New Venture Finance: Startup Funding for Entrepreneurs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Venture Capitalist
As a Venture Capitalist, you will need a strong understanding of how to finance your company. This course will provide you with a solid understanding of finance, valuations, dilution, and non-dilutive funding sources. Understanding the key components of the term sheet and how to negotiate them will accelerate your career as you are able to advise potential investments better.
Investment Banker
As an Investment Banker, you will need to pitch to investors. This course will provide you with a framework to develop winning investor pitches that can help you get your clients the funding they need.
Angel Investor
As an Angel Investor, you will need to understand the early stage investment landscape. This course will provide you with insights into how investors and lenders evaluate new ventures.
Entrepreneur
As an Entrepreneur, you will need to know how to secure funding for your company. This course will provide you with a comprehensive guide to securing funding, from developing a funding strategy to pitching to investors.
Financial Analyst
As a Financial Analyst, you will need to understand capital structure for new ventures. This course will teach you about the different types of capital structures and how to analyze them.
Private Equity Investor
As a Private Equity Investor, you will need to understand the differences between early-stage versus later-stage financing. This course will provide you with an understanding of the different types of financing available at different stages of a company's development.
Consultant
As a Consultant, you will need to understand the many financing options available to new ventures. This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the different types of financing available, so that you can advise your clients on the best options for their businesses.
Business Development Manager
As a Business Development Manager, you will need to understand how to pitch to investors. This course will provide you with a framework to develop winning investor pitches that can help you secure funding for your company's new ventures.
Sales Manager
As a Sales Manager, you will need to understand how to secure funding for your sales team. This course will provide you with the tools and techniques to secure funding from investors.
Product Manager
As a Product Manager, you will need to understand how to develop a comprehensive funding strategy for your product. This course will provide you with the tools and techniques to secure funding from investors.
Customer Success Manager
As a Customer Success Manager, you will need to understand how to secure funding for your customer success initiatives. This course will provide you with the tools and techniques to secure funding from investors.
Marketing Manager
As a Marketing Manager, you will need to understand how to pitch to investors. This course will provide you with a framework to develop winning investor pitches that can help you secure funding for your company's marketing initiatives.
Operations Manager
As an Operations Manager, you will need to understand how to secure funding for your operations. This course will provide you with the tools and techniques to secure funding from investors.
Data Analyst
As a Data Analyst, you will need to understand how to perform company valuations. This course will provide you with the tools and techniques to value companies so that you can make informed investment decisions.
Software Engineer
This course may be helpful as a Software Engineer since it will enhance your understanding of how to secure funding for your company's software development initiatives.

Reading list

We've selected 27 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 New Venture Finance: Startup Funding for Entrepreneurs.
Provides a comprehensive guide to the legal and financial aspects of venture capital financing. It is essential reading for any entrepreneur who is raising capital.
Provides practical advice on how to acquire customers for your startup. It must-read for entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their businesses.
Introduces the concept of the "lean startup" methodology, which emphasizes experimentation and iteration over traditional planning and forecasting.
Provides a unique perspective on the startup process. Thiel argues that successful startups are built on unique insights and that entrepreneurs should focus on creating something new rather than copying existing businesses.
Explores the challenges that large companies face when they try to innovate. It provides a framework for understanding how to overcome these challenges and avoid the "innovator's dilemma."
Provides a roadmap for marketing and selling technology products to mainstream customers. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who are looking to scale their businesses.
Provides a simple framework for evaluating the quality of a strategy. It must-read for entrepreneurs who want to develop clear and effective strategies for their businesses.
Provides practical advice on how to start a new business. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who are looking to get their businesses off the ground.
Provides a guide to angel investing. It covers all aspects of angel investing, from finding and evaluating deals to negotiating and closing investments.
Provides a controversial perspective on how to achieve financial freedom and escape the traditional 9-to-5 job. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who are looking to live a more fulfilling life.
Provides practical advice on how to work more efficiently and effectively. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who are looking to improve their productivity.
Provides practical advice on how to raise money for a startup. Cremades shares his experiences as a venture capitalist and offers insights into the fundraising process.
Provides a unique perspective on the challenges of running a small business. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who are looking to build a successful and sustainable business.
Provides a framework for understanding the DNA of successful innovators. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who are looking to develop the skills that they need to succeed in today's competitive business environment.
Provides a step-by-step guide to writing a business plan. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who are looking to raise capital or grow their business.
Provides insights into the creative process and how to foster a creative culture in the workplace. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who are looking to build a successful and innovative business.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the venture capital industry. It valuable resource for any entrepreneur who is looking to raise capital for their startup company.
Provides a checklist of 25 steps that you can follow to increase your chances of success as a startup company.
Provides a fascinating account of the history of the digital revolution. It valuable resource for any entrepreneur who is looking to understand the forces that have shaped the modern world.
Provides a thought-provoking examination of the potential impact of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies on the future of work and society.
Provides a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies on the future of work.

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