Financing the Entrepreneurial Business

VC and Growth Capital for Entrepreneurs and Investors

Create the perfect conditions to finance entrepreneurial businesses. Understand the different sources of financing and explore each stage of the deal cycle, from both sides of the table.

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Dates

Duration

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Programme Impact

Create the conditions for a successful deal

Are you a high-potential entrepreneur seeking investment, an angel, venture capitalist, or an early stage investor eager to create value and maximise returns? Come together with your counterparties and clients in this practical programme.

Good for you
Good for your organisation

Understand the full ‘venture capital cycle’ and the market for entrepreneurial finance: its players, their motivations and its impact.
Gain practical tools and frameworks. Learn to structure successful deals, understand valuation techniques and leverage funds to improve returns.
Value what an early-stage venture or buyout is worth – and learn how to buy a business with other people’s money.
Explore exit strategies, initial public offerings, and trade sales. Share experiences from both the entrepreneur and the investor viewpoint – all within one classroom.

For investors: Grasp what drives entrepreneurs, and build your network to enhance your deal flow.
For entrepreneurs: What drives investors? Discover what angels and venture capitalists are looking for, how to identify one who will add value and how to build ‘win-win’ outcomes.
For advisors and those in government support organizations: How can you successfully participate in the entrepreneurial ecosystem? What value can you add? How can the entrepreneurial financing mindset enhance your organization?

Attract and retain top talent.
Deepen your understanding of the big picture of financing innovative and high growth ventures.
Improve your organisation’s ability to secure better valuations and choose optimal financing options.

Learn to avoid costly pitfalls and make the right exit choices.
Enhance your deal flow and financing options through a strong and dynamic international network.

"Before, I didn’t pay much attention to shareholder agreements. Now, it’s the first thing I look at."

Leandro Rzezak

CEO, Intraway
Programme: Financing the Entrepreneurial Business
Nationality: American

Read Leandro's story

Right for you

This programme is designed for high-potential entrepreneurs and investors who invest in entrepreneurially-driven firms, as well as other professionals who participate in or support their country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Whichever side of the deal table you sit, this course offers unique insights and frameworks into those with whom you will deal.

industries

on average per cohort

nationalities

on average per cohort

Attendees include:

Entrepreneurs, and their advisors and consultants.
Investors in privately-held companies, limited partners and other providers of capital to venture capital and private equity funds.
Business angels.
Managers of accelerators and crowdfunding platforms.
Corporate venture capital investors and family offices.
Those in government agencies and NGOs supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The data above display the top nationalities and top 10 industries of participants who responded to our survey during the last full academic year.

Industry of recent participants

Finance – Investment Banking 23.5 %
Manufacturing 17.7 %
Finance – Asset Management 11.8 %
Finance – Venture Capital/Private Equity 11.8 %
Diplomatic Services 6 %
Downstream Oil/Gas 5.9 %
Finance – Private Banking 5.9 %
Logistics 5.8 %
Property/Real Estate 5.8 %
Wholesale/Retail 5.8 %

The data above display the top nationalities and top 10 industries of participants who responded to our survey during the last full academic year.

Programme content

Practical learning. Immediate impact.

Explore real-life case studies and gain insights to create future opportunities.

Gain hands-on exposure to the entrepreneurial financing process from beginning to end – giving you the expertise to create value and grow the pie.
Explore a range of scenarios, including financing start-ups, social enterprises, management buy-outs, and growth capital deals.
Investigate actual deals in emerging markets, Europe and the US, and improve your global deal-making perspective.
Discover how to value privately-held companies and examine the non-financial factors impacting those valuations.
See due diligence from both sides of the table, explore term sheets and shareholder agreements, and learn how to structure and price financing options and manage multiple rounds of financing.
Become a savvy investor – look at different considerations and pitfalls, and understand the psychology of deal-making.
Plan your exit strategy, focusing on initial public offerings and trade sales.

Experience the dynamism and lively rapport that comes with case-method learning.
Accelerate your learning by completing a valuation assignment ahead of time and taking it apart at the very first session.
Undertake a final hands-on assignment that cements your learning.
Meet, discuss and share experiences with industry professionals from the venture capital, private equity, impact investing, family office, and entrepreneurial communities.
Collaborate and apply your learning as part of an intimate, dynamic learning group.
Gain real-world insights into actual deals that our expert faculty know intimately.
Learn from faculty who offer a unique combination of academic rigour and practical experience and expertise.

Learn from Professor John Mullins: award-winning teacher, three-time entrepreneur, noted scholar and author, and one of the world’s foremost thought leaders in entrepreneurship and new venture growth.
Build your knowledge base and leverage global networks in London, a commercially-driven and vibrant business capital.
Join the dynamic LBS community and boost your confidence to seek out deals across different cultures and markets.
Gain unique insights – entrepreneurs and investors come together to share experiences, build knowledge and make connections.
Experience both group work and individual study – take time to reflect on your own learning journey.

What is the application process?

You can apply to the programme of your choice online. Acceptance is not automatic and your application will be reviewed by our team of Programme Consultants to ensure the best fit between applicants and programmes. Spaces on our programmes can fill up quickly so we encourage you to apply early and ensure your submission is as comprehensive as possible.

What does the programme fee cover?

It covers all required study materials, programme activities and excursions, as well as refreshments and most meals.

Do I need to obtain a visa if I’m coming from overseas?

Please check directly with the relevant embassy in your home country to determine whether you need an entry visa for the country where the programme will be held.

Download full FAQs

Our faculty

Experts in the field

Access some of the world’s leading thinkers whose cutting-edge research in global business is grounded in real-world practicality.

John Mullins

Co-Academic Director and Associate Professor of Management Practice in Marketing and Entrepreneurship

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John Mullins

Co-Academic Director and Associate Professor of Management Practice in Marketing and Entrepreneurship

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Academic Focus

Faculty lead for Financing the Entrepreneurial Business, and winner of nine teaching awards at LBS, John brings to his research and teaching 20 years of executive experience in high-growth retailing firms, including two ventures he founded and one he took public.

Recent Clients

John has served on the boards of fast-growth companies in Europe, North America and Asia.

Experience

John has delivered executive education on five continents, winning awards from the Marketing Science Institute, the American Marketing Association and the Richard D. Irwin Foundation. Widely published, he is the author of three bestselling trade books including, The New Business Road Test: What Entrepreneurs and Executives Should Do Before Writing a Business Plan.

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Farhan Lalji

Co-Academic Director and Teaching Fellow of Strategy and Entrepreneurship

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Farhan Lalji

Co-Academic Director and Teaching Fellow of Strategy and Entrepreneurship

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Academic Focus

Farhan’s main areas of interest are venture capital, digital technologies, the future of work, entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial finance.

Recent Clients

Farhan is the Founder and General Partner at LTV Capital an asset manager supporting and building the future of venture capital. Before founding LTV Capital, Farhan was a Managing Director at Anthemis Group. Anthemis is a Fintech-focused venture firm with over a billion dollars in assets under management. Farhan was responsible for the investment partnership with BBVA where he invested in a number of early stage fintech businesses and then was responsible for the firm's investments in emerging managers in venture capital.

Experience

Farhan started his career as a software developer and product manager, before completing an executive MBA at London Business School. After London Business School, Farhan joined Yahoo! as an executive before embarking on a decade of entrepreneurship, building a demand-side platform (DSP) in the ad tech space, an e-commerce business in industrial goods, and then PeerIndex a social media data platform which Brandwatch acquired in 2016.

As a Teaching Fellow at London Business School, he teaches "Technology and Innovation strategy" to MBA students and "Managing a Digital Organisation" as an elective. He is also an Executive in Residence at King's College London, holds a bachelor's degree from McMaster University in Canada and an MBA from London Business School.

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How to apply

Submit your application through our online application form.

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Not ready to apply yet? Reserve a place

When should I apply?

We recommend you apply at least three months before the programme starts to guarantee your place. The application form will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete.
When will I hear back from you?

We’ll acknowledge receipt of your application by email within 48 hours, if it’s received during normal working hours (Mon-Fri – 09:00-18:00 GMT). We will review and respond to your application within two working days. We do this in order of receipt and acceptance is not automatic.
Can I reserve a place?

Yes. We can hold a provisional place for you for up to two weeks, but be aware that completed applications take priority and programmes often fill up several months in advance. You can reserve a place online, by phone or by email.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7000 7051 Email: feb@london.edu
What are your language requirements?

The programme is taught in English, so a good working knowledge of the language is essential. If English is not your first language, we may ask you for evidence of your proficiency.
What if I have more questions?

If you have any more questions, please read our FAQs here.

Read our full terms and conditions

Certificate in Finance

This programme can also be taken as part of the Certificate in Finance. Gain the knowledge and tools to build expertise in finance. Customise your learning by selecting four courses from our extensive, world-class portfolio.

Find out more

Fees

The fee for the programme is £8,300.*

The programme fee covers all required study materials, programme activities, as well as refreshments and most meals. It also includes access to a well-appointed gym with a swimming pool. It does not include accommodation.

We offer a 25% discount for London Business School Alumni.

For more information on what the programme fee covers, please speak to our Client Relationship Manager.

*Fees are subject to change.