The Start-up CFO from edX

Entrepreneurs and founders of a start-up are confronted with many issues in a young company. Above all, solid financing forms the basis for the company's success. Only if the necessary capital is available can entrepreneurs build up the company and make investments accordingly.

How do you optimise your financing in a start-up? And how do you gain access to sources of financing and what sources are actually available? In this introductory course on Entrepreneurial Finance you will learn exactly that: You will learn which financing strategies and sources of financing exist and which investors are particularly relevant for start-ups. You will also learn more about the role and importance of a CFO in young companies.

Our tips and tricks will help you with the first steps in financing your company and give you practical advice on what to look out for.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Introduction: what are the key aspects of entrepreneurial finance?
Financing strategy: what are my options and how do i make my financing decisions?
Business angels: what are business angels and how do i work with them?

Getting started: how do i approach and convince investors?
Valuation: how do i figure out what my venture is worth?
Common pitfalls: what should i watch out for to avoid common mistakes?

Introduction: what are the key aspects of entrepreneurial finance?
Financing strategy: what are my options and how do i make my financing decisions?
Business angels: what are business angels and how do i work with them?
Getting started: how do i approach and convince investors?
Valuation: how do i figure out what my venture is worth?
Common pitfalls: what should i watch out for to avoid common mistakes?

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction - What are the key aspects of entrepreneurial finance?

In this introductory week, we will explore the fundamental principles of entrepreneurial finance. You will learn why entrepreneurial finance is important and what liquidity planning and cash flow statements are. You will also familiarise yourself with the elements of financial controlling.

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what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by industry-recognized Prof. Dr. Malte Brettel, who has published extensively on entrepreneurial finance and startups

Examines entrepreneurial finance issues relevant to startups, which are often overlooked in more general business finance courses

Provides practical advice on securing financing and avoiding common pitfalls, which can be invaluable for startup founders

Suitable as an introductory course for those with limited knowledge of entrepreneurial finance

Reviews summary

Practical guide to startup finance

According to learners, The Start-up CFO is a highly practical and actionable course that provides a solid introduction to entrepreneurial finance. Students commend its ability to demystify complex subjects, making them digestible and easy to follow for beginners. Many highlight the invaluable advice on engaging with business angels and pitching to investors, calling these sections a game-changer for their fundraising efforts. While generally well-received, some more experienced learners found certain aspects basic, suggesting it's best suited for first-time founders or those new to startup finance rather than those with advanced financial backgrounds. There's a minor desire for more in-depth case studies or interactive elements.

Provides key insights into working with business angels and pitching.

"The module on business angels was particularly insightful, providing actionable strategies for engaging with investors."

"I particularly liked the section on pitching to investors; it gave me concrete advice."

"The week on 'Getting Started' with investors was a game-changer. The course breaks down complex subjects into digestible parts..."

"The advice on business angels was superb. This course empowers you with confidence."

Simplifies complex financial topics for easy understanding.

"The instructor clearly knows their stuff and presents complex topics in an understandable way."

"The course breaks down complex subjects into digestible parts, making it easy to follow."

"The instructor's ability to simplify complex topics is remarkable. I loved the practical examples..."

"This course equipped me with the foundational knowledge and confidence to navigate the financial aspects of my startup."

Offers highly applicable strategies and real-world advice.

"This course exceeded my expectations! The content is incredibly practical and directly applicable to real-world startup financing."

"The emphasis on practical advice is its greatest strength. Truly helped me feel more confident about approaching potential investors."

"I learned practical tips that were valuable and confirmed some of my existing knowledge while filling in gaps."

"The clear, concise explanations of topics like liquidity planning and capital requirements were invaluable. The tips for convincing investors felt truly actionable."

Some learners seek more advanced content and interactive elements.

"My only minor critique is that I would have loved even more depth on valuation methodologies, perhaps some case studies."

"Some parts felt a bit too general, and I was hoping for more advanced content, especially regarding diverse financing options..."

"I felt it lacked enough real-world case studies or exercises to truly solidify the concepts. I wished there were more interactive elements or templates..."

Ideal for those new to startup finance, less so for experts.

"If you're completely new to finance, this is a good starting point, but if you have some background, you might find it light."

"I found this course somewhat basic... Good for absolute beginners, but not for someone with a solid finance background seeking advanced knowledge."

"A solid introduction to entrepreneurial finance... a very useful course for someone new to startup finance."

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 The Start-up CFO with these activities:

Form a study group with classmates or peers to discuss course topics

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Enhance your understanding of course material by discussing and exchanging ideas with peers

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Identify classmates or peers who are interested in forming a study group
Set regular meeting times and locations
Prepare discussion topics or questions in advance
Take turns leading the discussions and facilitating the group

Read 'Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist'

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Build a solid foundation in financing strategies and venture capital to make informed decisions in your start-up

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

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Read Chapter 1: The Basics of Venture Capital
Summarize the different types of venture capital funds
Identify the key terms of a venture capital deal, including equity, liquidation preferences, and anti-dilution provisions

Follow online tutorials on business angel investment

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Gain valuable insights into business angel investment strategies and the role of business angels in start-up financing

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Identify reputable online platforms or courses on business angel investment
Select a tutorial that aligns with your learning goals
Follow the tutorial and complete the exercises or assignments

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Solve problems and case studies on entrepreneurial finance

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Strengthen your understanding of entrepreneurial finance concepts and develop your problem-solving skills

Browse courses on Entrepreneurial Finance

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Review lecture notes and materials
Identify practice problems or case studies
Solve the problems or case studies independently
Compare your solutions to those provided by the instructor or other students

Develop a financial model for your start-up

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Develop a practical understanding of financial modeling and gain hands-on experience in applying it to your start-up

Browse courses on Financial Planning

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Identify the key financial assumptions for your start-up
Build a revenue model that projects your start-up's future revenue streams
Create a cost structure that outlines your start-up's fixed and variable costs
Develop a profit and loss statement that shows your start-up's profitability
Conduct sensitivity analysis to test different scenarios and assumptions

Prepare a pitch deck for potential investors

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Learn how to effectively present your start-up to investors and increase your chances of securing funding

Browse courses on Pitch Deck

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Identify the key elements of a successful pitch deck
Create a compelling narrative that tells the story of your start-up
Develop financial projections that demonstrate the potential of your start-up
Practice your pitch and get feedback from mentors or peers

Attend networking events for entrepreneurs and investors

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Expand your professional network, connect with potential investors, and learn from industry experts

Browse courses on Networking

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Research upcoming networking events in your area
Register for events that align with your interests
Prepare an elevator pitch to introduce yourself and your start-up
Attend the events and actively engage with other attendees

Write a blog post or article on the importance of CFOs in young companies

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Gain a deeper understanding of the role of CFOs and effectively communicate your knowledge to others

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Research the role of CFOs in young companies
Identify the key responsibilities and challenges of CFOs
Outline the benefits of having a CFO in a young company
Write a blog post or article that presents your findings

Career center

Learners who complete The Start-up CFO will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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The Start-up CFO

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Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Practical guide to startup finance

Activities

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