BEX3120 · Entrepreneurial capital raising and the start-up ecosystem

Overview

Ever wondered how companies like Linktree, Culture Amp and Airwallex were started and funded? To date, Australia has produced more than 20 Unicorns - start-ups that have reached a US$1 Billion valuation, and 6 Decacorns - companies valued at over US$10 Billion such as Canva, Afterpay, Atlassian and Wisetech Global. In almost all cases, investment, funding and venture capital played a critical role in getting these companies started and turbocharging their growth. This course will focus on the nuts and bolts of how investment can support start-ups and the role capital plays in building high growth companies and start-ups. It will also focus on how various sources of fundraising can change the future of business - whether that is through impact investing, new technology or bridging the diversity and gender gaps in business. It is designed for founders, future founders and students looking to pursue a career in business or within the start-up ecosystem. The subject will combine action-based experiences - interactive class role playing, theory and strategy delivered by industry experts and investors, as well as real life meetings with early stage start-ups. Through the unit you will learn to identify the need for investment or not; understand the different types of capital and investors; learn best practice regarding pitching for funding and be able to define, negotiate and execute early-stage investments as well as pathways to exit.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. understand the start-up life cycle of a high growth company
2. develop a comprehensive understanding of the Australian start-up investment landscape and how this connects with the global investment industry
3. build confidence in engaging with various sources of capital
4. develop the skills and capabilities to pursue a career in start-ups
5. foster an accurate understanding of what it takes to negotiate funds vs equity and manage "deal flow".

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities. This unit is a practice-based unit with active engagement throughout the semester with industry experts ranging from startup founders, angel and impact investors, and venture capital funds. The unit places you in venture fund and startup style teams, and teams are treated like early stage investment groups and startups. Weekly workshops guide the teams through the lifecycle of a startup, what makes a great startup investment opportunity, how to invest in a startup, how to get investment for a startup and working in venture capital. All designed to ultimately empower you to make well-informed startup investments from both investor and startup sides. It is expected teams will work on their venture fund or startup an additional 9-12 hours per week outside the weekly workshops. Independent work requirements for teams may include associated readings, podcasts, assessment, out of class activities and preparation for scheduled sessions. Each session will build on previous week’s work and on the activities expected of teams in between classes.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.