Course Title: Venture Capital and Start-Ups

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Venture Capital and Start-Ups

Credit Points: 12


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUSM1322

City Campus

Undergraduate

630H Management

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008

Course Coordinator: Professor Kosmas Smyrnios

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 1633

Course Coordinator Email:kosmas.smyrnios@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: School of Management: Bld 108.16.57

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

BUSM1317 Financing Entrepreneurial Ventures


Course Description

The focus of this subject will be on expanding the topic: attracting seed and growth capital from sources such as individuals, venture capital, investment banking, government and commercial banks.

Students will be introduced to the nature of the venture capital industry in Australia using a text written by an experienced Australian entrepreneur who has raised venture capital and has lived both here and overseas. The class will examine the unique nature of the Australian venture capital culture. Students will also gain an understanding of the type of documentation required by potential investors to assist them in their decision making, the investment process, negotiating deals, what goes on in the investors mind and understanding due diligence.

Students will perform cases studies on people who have created “something from nothing” and students will learn the common activities and behaviours of these individuals.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

On completion of Venture Capital and Start-ups students will:

1. Have an understanding of common behaviours displayed by entrepreneurs who have financed their venture

2. have knowledge and practical insight about how the finance industry works;
3. understand the issues surrounding the Australian and overseas finance industry; and
4. understand the issues associated with being ‘investor ready’ and the importance of presentation to attract capital.
5. Know the most common steps taken by entrepreneurs that have resulted in a successful outcome


On completion of this course students will have developed an understanding of

  • the implications of accessing various sources of start-up capital
  • the various sources of capital
  • the opportunity cost of the capital
  • capital requirements for various types of ventures


Overview of Learning Activities

Lectures and tutorials will be held on a weekly basis. Students are required to attend and actively participate in both lectures and tutorials.


Overview of Learning Resources

Prescribed Text/s
Students will need to acquire the prescribed Textbook for this course.
Use of DLS
Students also have access to course materials and additional readings on the DLS website via the course Blackboards including external internet links and access to RMIT Library on-line and hard-copy resources.
Other references
A list of other references will be made available on the DLS.


Overview of Assessment

Overview
A range of assessment will be undertaken in this course that may involve examinations, mini-quizzes, essays, business reports, case study analysis, presentations and participation.

Please use the RMIT Business referencing guidelines document for report style found at http://mams.rmit.edu.au/s9sx559hurvc.rtf

Course grades available
Assessment uses the following percentage scale. Your marks may be scaled

Grade Score %
HD High Distinction 80 - 100
D Distinction 70 - 79
CR Credit 60 - 69
P Pass 50 - 59
NN Fail 0 - 49

Academic integrity and plagiarism
RMIT policies concerning academic integrity and plagiarism apply to students in this course. For more details see http://www.rmit.edu.au/academic-policy/assessment_policies

As well, note further requirements in Part B of the Course Overview.