Venture Capital Program – Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum provides a structured examination of early stage investing and venture portfolio management. Instruction develops advanced analytical capability in opportunity evaluation, due diligence, capital structuring, and portfolio level risk assessment under conditions of uncertainty.

Module Structure

The curriculum is delivered online through twelve structured modules. Each module combines analytical instruction, applied evaluation, and case based decision work consistent with institutional venture practice.

Modules

Module 1.

  • Foundations of Venture Capital
  • Venture market structure
  • Investment models
  • Capital formation and fund economics
  • Risk and return characteristics
Module 2.

  • Early Stage Company Evaluation
  • Founding team assessment
  • Product and technology review
  • Business model viability
  • Qualitative judgment frameworks
Module 3.

  • Market Sizing and Competitive Context
  • Top down and bottom up sizing
  • Industry structure
  • Competitive positioning
  • Adoption dynamics
Module 4.

  • Financial Modeling for Venture Investments
  • Revenue drivers
  • Cost structure assumptions
  • Forecast uncertainty
  • Scenario analysis
Module 5.

  • Due Diligence Frameworks
  • Technical diligence
  • Commercial validation
  • Operational assessment
  • Sector specific considerations
Module 6.

  • Term Sheet Structure and Economics
  • Valuation approaches
  • Equity and ownership structure
  • Protective provisions
  • Economic implications of terms
Module 7.

  • Capital Staging and Investment Strategy
  • Financing rounds
  • Milestone based capital deployment
  • Risk management across stages
  • Follow on decision frameworks
Module 8.

  • Venture Portfolio Construction
  • Allocation frameworks
  • Diversification and concentration
  • Power law dynamics
  • Outcome distribution analysis
Module 9.

  • Risk Analysis in Venture Capital
  • Failure probabilities
  • Uncertainty and variance
  • Market cycles
  • Portfolio level risk assessment
Module 10.

  • Sector and Trend Evaluation
  • Emerging technologies
  • Innovation cycles
  • Macroeconomic influences
  • Sector mapping and prioritization
Module 11.

  • Exit Pathways and Return Realization
  • Strategic acquisitions
  • Public market exits
  • Secondary transactions
  • Timing and outcome considerations
Module 12.

  • Integrated Venture Case
  • Opportunity evaluation
  • Diligence synthesis
  • Portfolio placement decision
  • Outcome scenario assessment
Assessment

Assessment includes structured evaluation exercises, applied financial modeling, and an integrated venture case requiring full investment judgment.

Learning Outcomes

Participants completing the curriculum will be able to:

  • Evaluate early stage opportunities using disciplined analytical frameworks
  • Conduct structured commercial and technical due diligence
  • Model venture investment scenarios and outcomes
  • Construct venture portfolios aligned with risk and return objectives
  • Assess term structures and exit implications