The Introduction to Venture Capital class is a combination of Professor Scott Meadow’s Commercializing Innovation and Entrepreneurial Finance + Private Equity classes taught at Chicago Booth. This class will serve as a comprehensive introduction to the world of venture capital and equip you with the tools to analyze a private enterprise (startup). The first half of the course will focus on “building intellectual proof of concept” – a research- and data-driven approach to communicating the strategy and underlying economics of a new venture in an effective manner. The second half of the course will focus on the venture capitalist’s perspective on financing new enterprises and provide you with an understanding of valuation, security design, term sheet design, and the legal documentation and negotiation process that occurs around a startup financing event and exit. You’ll learn the methods of analysis to make the proper judgment from the investor’s point-of-view. The course will require that you develop primary and secondary research skills, a data-driven approach to creating referenceable projections, presentation skills, negotiation skills, and the ability to do meaningful analysis (i.e. to think creatively and logically).

Introduction to Venture Capital will be offered in Winter 2023. Introduction to Venture Capital will be offered in Winter 2023. The application link is available here and due on Sunday, December 4 at 11:59pm CT.

Questions? Contact Ellen Zatkowski, associate director for science programs and initiatives at the Polsky Center, at ellen.zatkowski@chicagobooth.edu.