IEL is pleased to profile the Venture Capital Funding for TechVenture Module from the Department of Industrial Systems and Engineering Management (ISEM). This module runs in Semester 2.
The module is an opportunity for students to continue to work on entrepreneurial projects developed in IEL’s experiential modules as it delves deeper into aspects of funding such ventures. It is led by Adjunct Professor Tan Kim Seng who has been a mentor to IEL teams and has worked closely with our faculty.
Introduction
Venture Funding (“VF””) is an action learning module on venture capital and technology venture funding. It adopts a system engineering approach in building technology company from inception, to acceleration and wealth creation. It covers the essentials of technology-focused venture capital from investment evaluation, to due diligence and realization of investment return.
This module will equip the students with fund raising know-how through understanding the typical fund-raising process and also learning from venture capitalists. Project teams will be guided through the development of a strategy for fund raising, ways of engaging investors, responding effectively to due diligence, drafting and negotiating term sheets and closing the financing round. Post-investment management and shareholders relationship will also be covered.
A high-tech private equity fund manager, ex-banker, ex-engineer and entrepreneur, Adjunct Professor Tan Kim Seng will lead the course with the support of distinguished speakers and panelists who will provide further industry insights and guidance on fund raising.
Pre-requisites
Preferred candidates include aspiring entrepreneurial students interested in technology funding and venture capital. Candidates must demonstrate strong interest and passion in entrepreneurship. Basic finance and accounting knowledge would be useful in the course.
How the course works
The module requires participation in a 3-hour class each week. The students will participate in class discussions, talks, case studies, market research, project team presentations and fund raising. The project team will reach out to the various sources of funding as they develop corporate milestones and work on deliverables.
Case studies of technology ventures in USA, China, Asean and Singapore will be covered to illustrate the venture funding process, the evaluation criteria, deal structuring, term sheets, due diligence, the investment agreements and exit strategy.
The class will be grouped into 4 sub-committees to organize various outreach and experiential learning activities including a final roundtable event for venture funding.
In Semester 2, AY2022, classes will be held on Wednesday 2 – 5pm at the UTown Stephen Riady Centre – Global Learning Room. The first class for the module will be held on Wednesday, 11th January 2023.
Welcome to attend the Info-session on 3rd Jan 2023 (Tuesday) at 7.30pm or 4th Jan 2023 (Wednesday) at 2.30pm through Zoom video conference.
Please refer to the following link for the module trailer but take note that the class will be held on every Wednesday 2pm-5pm.
Objectives
The students will gain the experience of team building to develop a technology venture and overcome challenges with entrepreneurial thinking and outreach activities.
The project team will adopt a system engineering approach in planning the lifecycle of technology venture with fundable milestones from inception to acceleration and wealth creation.
Our students will be familiarized with technology venture capitalists and acquire foundation knowledge on the essentials of technology venture capital, deal process and also investment exit strategy.
Assessment
Students will be assessed based on their overall participation, teamwork, progress made in financing their projects, individual class test results and peer reviews. Successful students will receive 4MCs for this course.
Project teams will present their project work to a panel of judges at Global Learning Room@SRC or E-Hive. The learning outcome will be measured by progress of fund raising, knowledge and skills demonstrated during the fund raising process and lessons learnt.
Practical Work and Work Load
In addition to the time in class, students will be required to allocate approximately 7 additional hours every week for preparation and fieldwork related to the course. The team will drive the exact allocation of time for preparation and fieldwork.
Project teams should allocate time during the day for communicating or meeting with potential investors and financiers, etc. No travel outside of Singapore is expected.
The approximate time allocation is
3-1-0-3-3
Workload Components : A-B-C-D-E
A: no. of lecture hours per week
B: no. of tutorial/case study hours per week
C: no. of lab hours per week
D: no. of hours for projects, assignments and fieldwork per week
E: no. of hours for preparatory work by a student per week
