Entrepreneurial Finance

DESCRIPTION:
This course provides a rigorous and systematic study of theories and tools necessary for entrepreneurs to start, build and harvest a successful venture. The course discusses the financial needs and peculiarities of small scale businesses and the qualities required to obtain financing, and successfully manage investment projects.

RATIONALE: 
Despite common underlying theory, entrepreneurial finance differs from corporate finance in several important aspects as far as investing and financing decisions are concerned. Differences are also found in accessing capital, and in managing capital projects. This course is appropriate for those students interested in the financial management of small businesses.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
1. Discuss the role and the purpose of small business finance and describe the influences of the economic environment on entrepreneurship
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the financial management tools and techniques available to entrepreneurs in different stages of the life cycle of business ventures
3. Make use of different sources of finance for new ventures and develop exit strategies for entrepreneurs
4. Estimate the market value of new ventures using cash flows and other valuation methods

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
- In class exercises and real life examples that help lecturer to illustrate basic concepts, and techniques used in entrepreneurial finance
- Use of interactive cases that encourage students to identify the peculiarities and differences between corporate finance and entrepreneurial financial applications
- Value new ventures taking into account uncertainty and flexibility in management
- Group discussion - students are divided into groups to finish case projects and short research activities that involve the use of web search or the use of financial data bases
- Blackboard - use of material made available online