Entrepreneurial Finance London School of Economics and Political Science

Overview

Key facts

You will address the key questions which challenge all entrepreneurs: how much money can and should be raised; when should it be raised and from whom; what is a reasonable valuation of the company; and how should funding, and exit decisions be structured?

London School of Economics and Political Science's Entrepreneurial Finance course will make extensive use of case studies, with a particular focus on technology-based businesses. Students will follow the founding history of a software unicorn from its early steps to exit. We will also examine a fast-growing on-demand food delivery start-up that is seeking an investor to cover its increasing need for working capital, and explore the information and context needed to value Peloton, the subscription-based fitness company whose stock price dropped after its IPO.While primarily focusing on the entrepreneur’s perspective, we will also consider the investor’s viewpoint, in order to understand their motivations and incentives to avoid financing pitfalls and successfully negotiate the best financing outcome for a venture.