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Prof. Dr. Malte Brettel

As an entrepreneur and founder of a start-up company, you need money to build a successful business. You need capital to hire a great team, build a prototype, develop a market and increase your market share. Where do you get this kind of capital? Simple: from venture capitalists. But how do you get this capital? Tricky question! Good thing there's an introduction to venture capital.

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As an entrepreneur and founder of a start-up company, you need money to build a successful business. You need capital to hire a great team, build a prototype, develop a market and increase your market share. Where do you get this kind of capital? Simple: from venture capitalists. But how do you get this capital? Tricky question! Good thing there's an introduction to venture capital.

In this introductory course on venture capital, you will learn how to get money for your start-up. You will learn what venture capitalists are and how they think. You will learn what their motives are, how they invest and what they expect from you. Have you ever heard of this thing called a term sheet? Whether you've heard the term before or not, we'll explain what it means and what you should be aware of.

Our tips and tricks and dos and don'ts should make your work with venture capitalists easier. We also explain what happens when a VC joins and leaves your company. This course is truly practice-orientated and you will benefit from this course in your day-to-day dealings with venture capitalists.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Introduction: what is venture capital?
  • Pre-investment phase: how do i acquire venture capital?
  • Term sheets (basics & economic terms): what are key economic terms in term sheets?
  • Term sheets (control & other terms): what are key control & other terms in term sheets?
  • Post-investment phase: how do i work with a vc and what are potential exit options?
  • Pitfalls: what should i watch out for to avoid common mistakes

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction - What is venture capital?
You will learn what venture capital is and how it differs from other sources of early-stage financing. We will also explain the VC fund structure and its implications.
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Week 2: Pre-investment phase - How do I acquire venture capital?
You will learn whether venture capital is the right source of funding for you. You will also receive lots of helpful information on how to select and approach venture capitalists, increasing your chances of making it to your next meeting with a VC.
Week 3: Term sheets (Basics & economic terms) - What are key economic terms in term sheets?
This week, we will break down the essential economic terms found in term sheets, for example equity stakes, liquidation preferences, and anti-dilution provisions, to help you understand how these terms impact your financing deal.
Week 4: Term sheets (Control & other terms) - What are key control & other terms in term sheets?
We will explore the control terms in term sheets, for example voting rights, along with other important clauses like vesting, to ensure you are well-versed in the full scope of investor agreements.
Week 5: Post-investment phase - How do I work with a VC and what are potential exit options?
This session focuses on managing the relationship with your venture capitalists post-investment and understanding the different exit options to maximize your venture's success.
Week 6: Common pitfalls - What should I watch out for to avoid common mistakes?
We will identify and analyze common pitfalls in venture capital, such as choosing the wrong investors, misaligning expectations and provide practical advice on how to avoid these mistakes to ensure a successful partnership and sustainable growth.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores venture capital, which is a core topic in finance
Taught by Prof. Dr. Malte Brettel, who are recognized for their work in finance
Develops skills and knowledge that are core to finance and business
Coverage is comprehensive and covers the key economic and control terms found in term sheets, as well as the pre and post phases of investment
Provides practical advice on how to avoid common pitfalls, such as choosing the wrong investors or misaligning expectations
This course is not recommended for students with no prior finance or business experience

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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 Venture Capital with these activities:
Watch videos on venture capital
Watching videos on venture capital can help you learn from experienced investors and entrepreneurs.
Show steps
  • Search for videos on venture capital on YouTube or other online platforms.
  • Watch videos from reputable sources, such as venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and academics.
  • Take notes and summarize the key points from the videos.
Review key financial terms and concepts
Reviewing key financial concepts and terms covered in introductory finance courses will strengthen your foundation and prepare you for venture capital specific terminology.
Browse courses on Finance
Show steps
  • Go over your notes from any previous finance courses.
  • Review the definitions of common financial terms, such as equity, debt, and EBITDA.
Read 'Venture Deals' by Brad Feld
Reading 'Venture Deals' will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the venture capital industry.
View GiveFirst on Amazon
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  • Purchase or borrow a copy of 'Venture Deals'.
  • Read the book carefully and take notes.
  • Summarize the key points from the book.
Two other activities
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Attend venture capital workshops
Attending venture capital workshops can help you learn from experts and network with other entrepreneurs.
Show steps
  • Research different venture capital workshops.
  • Select a workshop that is a good fit for your needs.
  • Register for the workshop and attend all sessions.
Mentor aspiring entrepreneurs
Mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs can help you deepen your understanding of venture capital and the entrepreneurial process.
Show steps
  • Volunteer your time at a local startup incubator or accelerator.
  • Connect with aspiring entrepreneurs through online platforms or networking events.
  • Offer your guidance and support to help them develop their business ideas and secure funding.

Career center

Learners who complete Venture Capital will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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