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The Essentials of Private Equity - What You Need to Know!

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Based on 3,687 ratings
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Michael Ng

The Essentials of Private Equity course is designed to provide you with a time-efficient way to learn the most important concepts within private equity.

We are not going to cover every single thing about private equity...but we will cover the essential, need-to-know concepts to make sure you can hit the ground running. The 100% free preview lectures and course outline will give you a feel for the style and level of content that will be covered.

Read more

The Essentials of Private Equity course is designed to provide you with a time-efficient way to learn the most important concepts within private equity.

We are not going to cover every single thing about private equity...but we will cover the essential, need-to-know concepts to make sure you can hit the ground running. The 100% free preview lectures and course outline will give you a feel for the style and level of content that will be covered.

I have worked with some of the leading private equity funds across three continents, having also previously advised numerous private equity funds within investment banking at leading firms such as J.P. Morgan and Citigroup. You should feel confident that you are in good hands.

Course Outline:

  1. Core Principles of Private Equity - discover the absolute essentials of what you need to know to speak confidently about private equity

  2. Sourcing Deals - dive into how private equity funds source deals for both proprietary and process-driven deals

  3. Executing Investments - learn about the full investment process for new deals at private equity funds

  4. Portfolio Management - understand how private equity funds create value within their portfolio

  5. Exiting Investments - use practical examples to understand how private equity funds sell investments and realise profits

  6. Private Equity Fund Considerations - understand the core concepts of how funds are operated and benchmarked

  7. How to Break into Private Equity - learn about the proven ways to maximise your chances of breaking into private equity

If you have absolutely any questions once you get started, do not hesitate to use the embedded Q&A function and we will get back to you shortly to continue your learning journey.

Whether you're brand new to the private equity world or are wanting to just learn more, this is the course for you.

We can't wait to see you inside the course.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Discover the basic, essential concepts within private equity
  • Learn about the different types of private equity
  • Understand how the full investment process works from sourcing deals to realising gains
  • Learn how private equity funds operate and what matters most to them today
  • Understand the best way to break into private equity in traditional and non-traditional markets

Syllabus

Explain what is private equity, the inner workings and business model of a private equity fund, its role within the investment landscape and the different types of private equity.
Read more

Covers the course outline, instructor background, goals of the course and key tips.

Covers the key characteristics of private equity and the goal of private equity funds.

Covers the private equity business model and typical team structure.

Covers the different types of private equity, with a focus on leveraged buyouts (LBOs).

Covers the typical private equity investment process from start to finish.

Covers how private equity firms source proprietary deals and process-driven deals.

Covers the typical characteristics of LBO targets and why they are important.

Covers the initial stages of due diligence conducted by a private equity fund during their assessment of an investment opportunity.

Covers what is included in an initial offer to a company during a private equity investment process, accompanied by a real-life case study.

Covers the exclusive stages of due diligence conducted by a private equity fund once their initial offer has been accepted.

Covers the final stages of the private equity investment process from confirmatory due diligence to signing and closing of the investment.

Covers the multiple ways in which private equity funds create value in their portfolio.

Covers one of the most popular private equity strategies to create value in portfolio companies.

Covers the key value drivers of a private equity exit and the various options available for the fund to exit an investment.

Covers a refresher on exit options with additional information on the respective processes, pros and cons.

Covers how private equity funds determine the split of proceeds upon the exit of a portfolio company.

Covers how the final return for a private equity fund is calculated.

Covers the various stages involved in raising a private equity fund, as well as the alternate strategy of deal-by-deal fundraising.

Covers the identity and motivations of fund investors, otherwise known as Limited Partners.

Covers the key metrics used to benchmark private equity funds, with a case study example included.

Covers the various entry points available to those looking to break into the private equity industry.

Covers the private equity recruiting processes for target and non-target candidates.

Covers the best way to answer common interview questions and the proven keys to success.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores leveraged buyouts, which are a core strategy employed by private equity firms to acquire companies using a significant amount of borrowed capital
Discusses the sourcing of deals, which provides insight into how private equity firms identify and evaluate potential investment opportunities
Examines the full investment process, which is valuable for understanding the lifecycle of private equity investments from start to finish
Includes a section on breaking into private equity, which offers practical advice for those seeking careers in this competitive field
Covers private equity fund considerations, which helps learners understand how these funds operate and are benchmarked in the industry
Requires learners to understand the basics of finance and investment before taking this course, which may exclude some beginners

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Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Essentials of private equity overview

According to learners, this course is a largely positive and highly recommended introduction to the world of private equity. Students praise its effectiveness in providing an excellent overview of PE fundamentals, covering the full investment process from deal sourcing to exiting investments. The explanations are frequently described as clear and easy to understand, making complex topics accessible. Many highlight the dedicated module on how to break into private equity as particularly practical and valuable. While lauded as perfect for beginners, some learners with existing finance knowledge found it too basic or desiring more in-depth coverage on certain strategies. Overall, it delivers effectively on its promise of covering the essential, need-to-know concepts in a concise and time-efficient manner.
Makes complex PE topics accessible to newcomers.
"Perfect starting point for beginners."
"As someone completely new to PE, I found it incredibly accessible."
"Exactly what I needed as a beginner."
Offers valuable tips on breaking into the industry.
"The modules on ... breaking into the industry were particularly valuable."
"I appreciated the practical tips on entering the field. Highly recommended for aspiring PE professionals."
"The 'breaking in' section was gold."
Provides a clear and concise introduction to PE.
"Provides an excellent and comprehensive overview of the private equity world."
"Absolutely essential course for anyone looking to understand PE fundamentals."
"Good course overall. It delivers on the 'essentials'. ... for understanding the landscape, process, and key terms, it's great."
Lacks depth for learners with prior knowledge.
"Found this course too simplistic. I already had some finance background and was looking for more advanced concepts."
"Decent overview, but a bit too basic for me. I was hoping for a little more depth..."
"It covers the essentials, but feels very surface level... not much substance for developing a real understanding..."

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 Essentials of Private Equity - What You Need to Know! with these activities:
Review Financial Accounting Principles
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental accounting principles, which are essential for analyzing financial statements and understanding the financial health of potential investment targets.
Browse courses on Financial Accounting
Show steps
  • Review key accounting concepts and terminology.
  • Practice analyzing financial statements.
Read 'Barbarians at the Gate'
Gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics and complexities of leveraged buyouts through a real-world case study.
View Public Enemies [Film Tie-in] on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book 'Barbarians at the Gate'.
  • Identify the key players and their motivations.
  • Analyze the financial structure of the deal.
Read 'Mastering Private Equity'
Expand your knowledge of private equity strategies and operational aspects through a comprehensive industry overview.
View Mastering Private Equity: Transformation via... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book 'Mastering Private Equity'.
  • Take notes on key concepts and strategies.
  • Relate the concepts to the course material.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Presentation on Private Equity Fund Benchmarking
Solidify your understanding of private equity fund benchmarking by creating a presentation that explains key metrics and their significance.
Show steps
  • Research key metrics used to benchmark private equity funds.
  • Prepare a presentation outlining these metrics and their importance.
  • Include a case study example to illustrate the application of these metrics.
Analyze a Public Company as a Potential LBO Target
Apply the concepts learned in the course to a real-world scenario by analyzing a public company and determining its suitability as a leveraged buyout target.
Show steps
  • Select a publicly traded company.
  • Gather financial data and industry information.
  • Assess the company's financial health and potential for value creation.
  • Write a report outlining your findings and recommendations.
Build a Financial Model for a Hypothetical LBO
Develop practical skills in financial modeling by building a model for a hypothetical leveraged buyout transaction.
Show steps
  • Select a target company and gather financial data.
  • Build a financial model incorporating debt financing and operational assumptions.
  • Analyze the model's output and assess the feasibility of the LBO.
  • Refine the model based on sensitivity analysis.
Attend a Finance or Investment Conference
Expand your network and learn from industry professionals by attending a finance or investment conference.
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant conferences.
  • Register for a conference and plan your attendance.
  • Attend sessions and network with other attendees.
  • Follow up with contacts after the conference.

Career center

Learners who complete The Essentials of Private Equity - What You Need to Know! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Private Equity Analyst
A Private Equity Analyst plays a critical role in the investment process, from sourcing deals to analyzing potential acquisitions. This course, with its focus on the core principles of private equity, deal sourcing, investment execution, and portfolio management, helps build a foundation for an analyst role. The course's section on executing investments and calculating returns is especially relevant, providing insight into the analyst's responsibilities in due diligence and financial modeling. The course's overview of private equity fund operations may be useful for understanding the broader context of the analyst's work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Private Equity Analyst
Investment Associate
An Investment Associate in a private equity firm is involved in the full investment lifecycle, from sourcing to exit, making this course particularly beneficial. The course's focus on core private equity principles, deal sourcing, investment execution, portfolio management, and exits maps directly to the work of an investment associate. The course's detailed breakdown of the investment process, from initial due diligence to closing a deal, is especially useful. The content on fund considerations will also provide them a better understanding of their firm operates.
See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Associate
Investment Banking Analyst
An Investment Banking Analyst often works on transactions that involve private equity firms, making a foundational understanding of private equity essential. The course's coverage of deal sourcing, investment execution, and fund operations provides a valuable overview of the private equity landscape, enhancing an analyst's ability to understand their client's perspective and needs. The course goes into detail about the investment process from initial due diligence to closing, which is applicable in the investment banking context. Furthermore, the course offers insight into how private equity firms create value, which may be useful for analysts working on M&A deals.
See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banking Analyst
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst who works with private equity firms or companies that are potential targets may find the content in this course very helpful. This course covers topics such as deal sourcing, investment process, and financial modeling, all skills that are useful for financial analysis. The financial analyst can gain a clearer understanding of the private equity business model, how they source deals, and how they create value in portfolio companies by taking this course. The course's detailed look at how private equity firms evaluate targets and calculate returns is directly applicable to the skillset of a financial analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst
Portfolio Manager
A Portfolio Manager in private equity is responsible for creating value within a fund's portfolio companies, and this course is a great way to learn the basics of that. This course delves into how private equity funds create value, manage their portfolio companies, and plan for exits; all of which are central to a portfolio manager's duties. The course’s sections on portfolio management, value creation, and exit strategies can help build a foundation for a portfolio manager role. The course may also be helpful for understanding how private equity funds operate and are benchmarked.
See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager
Business Development Associate
A Business Development Associate, particularly in a firm that works with or provides services to private equity funds, will benefit from the knowledge in this course. The course covers essential private equity concepts and how funds source deals, execute investments, and manage their portfolios. Understanding the private equity investment process, as covered in this course, is useful for a business development associate when identifying potential opportunities. The course’s section on how private equity firms operate helps provide the necessary context for engaging with clients in this space.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Associate
Consultant
A Consultant who works with private equity firms or their portfolio companies needs a solid understanding of the private equity landscape. This course provides an overview of private equity principles, deal sourcing, investment execution, and portfolio management, which can be helpful for consulting engagements. The course's section on value creation and exit strategies is particularly useful in understanding the key drivers of private equity investments. The course's coverage of fund operations also provides insight into the structure and goals of private equity clients, which may be useful for their mandates.
See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant
Due Diligence Analyst
A Due Diligence Analyst needs a strong understanding of the investment process, and this course covers it from start to finish. The course explains how private equity firms conduct due diligence, moving from early stages to exclusive due diligence, and how they evaluate the acquisition targets. The course sections on executing investments and calculating returns are pivotal to helping a due diligence analyst understand how their work fits into the overall process. The course also covers specific characteristics of LBO targets, which can be helpful when assessing the viability of a potential investment.
See salaries and explore the career path for Due Diligence Analyst
Mergers and Acquisitions Analyst
A Mergers and Acquisitions Analyst who needs to understand the behavior of private equity firms will find this course invaluable. The course provides an overview of private equity, from sourcing deals to considering exits, which are all useful when working on M&A transactions that involve private equity. The course covers how private equity firms evaluate potential acquisition targets, and how they execute investments. The course may be useful in better understanding how private equity firms think about value when analyzing their deals.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mergers and Acquisitions Analyst
Venture Capital Analyst
While focused on private equity, this course may be useful for a Venture Capital Analyst due to the similarities in deal sourcing and investment processes. The course on how private equity firms source deals and execute investments may be helpful in understanding the wider investment landscape. An understanding of the private equity business model, as covered in the course, can be helpful in differentiating the business practices of a venture capital firm. The course on fund operations may give a better understanding of fund benchmarks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Venture Capital Analyst
Corporate Development Associate
A Corporate Development Associate who works on acquisitions or partnerships will find much of this course to be helpful. This course covers the full lifecycle of private equity investments. The course’s section on sourcing deals and executing investments may be helpful to those involved in corporate dealmaking. The course’s modules on portfolio management and exit strategies may provide useful insights when contemplating the consequences of a transaction. The course's coverage of the private equity business model may also be helpful to a Corporate Development Associate.
See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Development Associate
Investment Research Associate
An Investment Research Associate focusing on private equity may find this course helpful. The course covers core concepts of private equity, fund operations, and investment strategies. The course’s overview of the investment process, especially the sourcing and execution of deals, may be helpful for an Investment Research Associate. The course's sections on how private equity firms create value and benchmark their funds can provide a useful background for an analysis in private equity firms. The exit strategies covered can also inform research.
See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Research Associate
Financial Modeling Analyst
A Financial Modeling Analyst who needs to create models for private equity transactions can find this course useful. While it doesn't teach how to build financial models, the course covers how private equity firms evaluate investments and calculate returns, which are important inputs for modeling. The course's sections on due diligence and investment execution may prove helpful to an analyst. The course also provides a high level look into the inner workings of a private equity firm, which can also inform the analyst's work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Modeling Analyst
Fund Accountant
A Fund Accountant who wishes to work at a private equity firm can take this course to gain a better understanding of the investment lifecycle. The course provides an overview of private equity deal sourcing, investment execution, and fund operations. The section of the course covering how private equity funds operate and are benchmarked may be particularly useful. The course's modules on how private equity funds raise capital and manage portfolios may also be useful for a fund accountant.
See salaries and explore the career path for Fund Accountant
Real Estate Analyst
A Real Estate Analyst may find some concepts covered in this course helpful, even though private equity and real estate are different fields. This course covers how private equity funds source deals and evaluate investments, which are also skills used by a real estate analyst. The course's focus on the investment process and exit strategies may help them understand how private equity firms operate in the capital markets. The course's overview of financial modeling can also be useful to a Real Estate Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Analyst

Reading list

We've selected two 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 The Essentials of Private Equity - What You Need to Know!.
Cover image
Public Enemies [Film Tie-in]
Save
Provides a detailed and captivating account of the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco. It offers valuable insights into the deal-making process, the motivations of key players, and the financial complexities involved in large-scale private equity transactions. Reading this book will help you understand the human element and strategic considerations that drive private equity deals. It is considered a classic in the field and is often used as a case study in business schools.
Public Enemies [Film Tie-in]
Paperback
Check
Public Enemies [Film Tie-in]
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Mastering Private Equity
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the private equity industry, covering various investment strategies and operational aspects. It delves into venture capital, minority investments, and leveraged buyouts, offering a holistic perspective on private equity. This book is valuable as additional reading to expand your knowledge beyond the essentials covered in the course. It is commonly used as a textbook in academic institutions and by industry professionals.
Mastering Private Equity: Transformation via...
Hardcover
$$$

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Rating
4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
2 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Michael Ng
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores leveraged buyouts, which are a core strategy employed by private equity firms to acquire companies using a significant amount of borrowed capital
Discusses the sourcing of deals, which provides insight into how private equity firms identify and evaluate potential investment opportunities
Examines the full investment process, which is valuable for understanding the lifecycle of private equity investments from start to finish
Includes a section on breaking into private equity, which offers practical advice for those seeking careers in this competitive field
Covers private equity fund considerations, which helps learners understand how these funds operate and are benchmarked in the industry
Requires learners to understand the basics of finance and investment before taking this course, which may exclude some beginners
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