Overview

Even the most ingenious ideas need finance to bring them to life. This unit will demystify how to secure backing for new business ventures. Students will identify their specific financial needs and find relevant funding sources. They will become familiar with the world of angel investors, investment managers, and venture capitalists, and learn how to gain their support. Leading investors and entrepreneurs will share their experiences in industry and provide feedback. Students will build the confidence and tools they need to turn their vision into a commercial reality.

Requisites

Prerequisites

ENT10005 Ideas, Opportunities and Ventures

AND

ENT10006 Technology Commercialisation

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Date Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Date Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Experiment and build financial models for start-ups
  • Identify and evaluate different sources of funding to support start-ups
  • Critically evaluate and determine the funding needs of start-ups
  • Determine the value of a start-up and negotiate with potential investors
  • Work individually or collaboratively to prepare a term sheet to raise equity

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class
2.00 12 weeks 24
Online
Lecture
1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Quizzes Individual  20 - 30%  2,3,4
Report Individual  20 - 40%  2,3,4
Report and Presentation Group  50 - 60%  1,2,3,4,5

Content

  • What are the financial statements?  
  • How to do financial performance analysis?  
  • How to conduct financial forecasting, and which methods to employ?  
  • How to assess funding needs of a start-up?  
  • How to value an early-stage start-up, and which valuation methods to use?  
  • Where are the local and international sources of funding for start-ups? 
  • What are exit strategies for investors and start-up entrepreneurs?  
  • What is a term-sheet, and how is it prepared? 

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.