BEX5114 · Value creation and start-up capital optimisation for founders

Overview

Start-up finance and accounting examines the financial life-cycle of new ventures. The unit explores different financing models, including bootstrapping, organic growth, debt and risk capital, and equity financing including angels, venture capital, and crowdfunding. Firm valuation, term sheets and exit strategies are also covered in this unit. By utilising a blended approach to learning that may include face-to-face workshops, gamified simulations and flipped classrooms, you will be equipped to optimise value from financial assets across the business venture life-cycle. The unit provides a strong focus on operational and budgeting elements, in particular cash flow management to develop entrepreneurial capability in fostering understanding of the critical importance of sound financial acumen in becoming profitable.

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. enable effective analysis and understanding of the implications of various sources of start-up capital
2. develop the required abilities to source and read relevant financial information and to use this capability to inform strategic and operational decision making
3. demonstrate a sound understanding of what profitability looks like and how this differs from cash flow
4. facilitate understanding of firm valuation approaches
5. nurture critical problem-solving skills informed by sound financial acumen
6. understand the importance of being both a leader and a team player.

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 designed to be as practical and experiential as possible. As such, it includes activities such as: • content being delivered in multiple formats, alongside a weekly workshop that is focused on a simulation each week. Weekly simulations immerse you in real world experiences that are related to the range of accounting and finance concepts related to startup. • individual research activities and pre-reading, pertaining to content areas being explored, that are then discussed and further elaborated in class. It is expected that you will contribute your own research and ideas to each class, each week. All of the simulations culminate into a final Venture Capital (VC) Game Simulation. • A unit reflection to show your learning across the semester, using the VC Game as a central muse to unpack your learning experience and application to real life situations. This unit is peer-learning focused. You will be in a group to navigate the unit, working through particular examples or case studies that you can share with the other groups in the class, effectively broadening everyone's learning experience overall.

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