Oxford Entrepreneurship: Venture Finance Programme

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Gain insight into how new ventures are financed from an entrepreneur and investor perspective.

Start dates:

Duration:

  • 8 weeks

Time commitment:

  • Short programme

Location:

  • Online

Cost:

  • £2,300

About the programme

Venture finance is the fuel for the next generation of technology and businesses.

The Oxford Entrepreneurship: Venture Finance Programme is aimed at those who are starting a new business or scaling an existing venture and would like to gain a comprehensive understanding of the industry. It’s also designed for current or aspiring investors wanting to break into venture financing.

Investors will learn to analyse different funding opportunities, while entrepreneurs will learn how to effectively present and prepare their venture as they go about the fundraising process.

Delivered in collaboration with digital education provider GetSmarter, a 2U, Inc. brand, you will be part of a community learning together through a dedicated Online Campus.

Introduction to the programme

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Benefits

  • A comprehensive understanding of how new ventures are financed from an entrepreneur and investor perspective, and knowledge of the types of investment avenues available, including venture capital funds
  • Practical skills to navigate the funding process, assess project valuations, determine financial projections, and ultimately decide on an exit strategy
  • An opportunity to network with and learn alongside a global cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs and investors
  • Guidance from leading industry experts and Oxford Saïd faculty
  • Membership of the official Oxford Saïd elumni community
  • Access to the official Oxford Executive Education Elumni group on LinkedIn

Programme outline

Orientation Module

Welcome to your online campus.

Applications to join the programme will be accepted until the end of the orientation module.

Module 1

The investment cycle

Reflect on the nature of venture financing and the role it plays for entrepreneurs and investors.

Module 2

Investor types

Explore the types of investors in venture financing.

Module 3

Fundraising

Learn about fundraising, financial projections, and ‘financial ask’.

Module 4

Valuation: art or science?

Discover how valuation occurs and why it is important.

Module 5

Venture capitalists

Explore the role of venture capitalists, venture capital funding, and venture capital firms.

 

Module 6

Negotiating deals

Discover how to negotiate a deal to reach agreement.

Module 7

Scaling up and scaling down

Learn about staged financing and how ventures deal with financial difficulties.

 

Module 8

Cashing in on success

Explore the process of ‘exit’ from the perspective of the entrepreneur and the investor.

 

Finance and entrepreneurship are like two different parts of the brain, they work very differently. What we do in this programme is merge them.

Thomas Hellmann

Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Meet the faculty

The programme is led by Professor Thomas Hellmann, and is guided by prominent industry thought-leaders, who will share their experience and in-depth subject knowledge with you throughout the programme.

Industry expert contributors

The thinking behind the programme

The Oxford Entrepreneurship: Venture Finance Programme has been developed to provide a holistic understanding of venture financing, venture capital firms, and investment types. It’s designed to take participants through the steps taken during the funding process, from the initial fundraising to the final exit strategy. Viewpoints of both the entrepreneur and the investor are examined to provide the 'Two Hats' perspective. 

The financing programme draws on the world-leading research and ongoing emerging initiatives of the Entrepreneurship Centre based at Oxford Saïd. It sits within a vibrant ecosystem of innovation at the business school and wider university, and is showcased by the annual Oxford Saïd Entrepreneurship Forum

By combining the fertile environment of Oxford, with the extensive array of guest contributors taken from industries across the globe, this programme immerses participants in a truly unique learning experience.

Exclusive frameworks are explored with participants on this programme. These include:

  • The venture evaluation framework
  • Investor map

 

Continuing your development

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Explore the mindset and motivations that contribute to entrepreneurial success.

Led by Professor Thomas Hellmann, the Oxford Entrepreneurship: Venture Creation Programme is designed to equip you with the practical skills to become a successful entrepreneur in any business context.

This programme is an invaluable opportunity to develop your entrepreneurial skill set, whether you register for it on its own or together with the Oxford Entrepreneurship: Venture Finance Programme.

The CPD Certification Service

This programme is certified by The CPD Certification Service. It may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies.

Options for organisations

If you are looking to integrate Oxford online programmes with your organisation’s learning and development strategy, we have tailored solutions to help deliver an innovative learning experience across teams. 

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