Curriculum - Executive Education - Harvard Business School

Raising private capital can be a daunting process, especially for new entrants in the sector. Foundations of Private Equity and Venture Capital delves into the fundamental challenges and best practices for successfully raising a new fund or venture. You will explore the full range of industry models, from venture capital to growth equity to buyouts, as well as the key issues related to investment criteria, management strategies, and decision-making processes.

For executives with significant experience in the private equity or venture capital fields, our legacy investment program, Private Equity and Venture Capital, may be more appropriate. The programs are designed to meet the needs of two distinct groups of investors, and applicants are advised to choose the program that best fits their goals and experience. For more information, connect with a program advisor by emailing executive_education@hbs.edu or by calling +1.617.495.6555.

Summary

Key Benefits

Providing deep insight into the landscape, players, and trends in private equity and venture capital, this new program boosts your investment expertise at every stage of the deal structuring and fundraising process. You will return to your company with the skills, strategies, and confidence to target the right investors, find the best deals, and raise the capital for your first-time fund.

Key Benefits

Understand industry models—from venture capital to growth equity to buyouts

Broaden your knowledge of industry processes and terminology

Assess the implications of different deal structures and terms

Establish a successful private equity/venture capital partnership structure

Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Who Should Attend

General partners of private equity and venture capital firms responsible for small funds
Entrepreneurs who are seeking private financing
Families and institutions in the process of raising their first fund or considering private equity investing
Angel investors who are looking to formalize their activities

Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact.

Executives with significant experience in private equity and venture capital are encouraged to explore our advanced investment management program, Private Equity and Venture Capital.

Participating Companies Have Included:

Australian Food Investments

Calder Stewart Holdings Limited

CRC Partners

Deutsche Bank

Fincentrum

GlaxoSmithKline

Macquarie Bank

Michael Kors

Pilgrim's Pride

Sterling Bros Investment & Development Ltd.

Tyndall Group

Unilever

Dive Deeper into the Experience

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Experience the Case Method in the Classroom

Watch participants debate the issues and present their viewpoints.

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Who Should Attend

General partners of private equity and venture capital firms responsible for small funds
Entrepreneurs who are seeking private financing
Families and institutions in the process of raising their first fund or considering private equity investing
Angel investors who are looking to formalize their activities

Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact.

Executives with significant experience in private equity and venture capital are encouraged to explore our advanced investment management program, Private Equity and Venture Capital.

Participating Companies Have Included:

Australian Food Investments

Calder Stewart Holdings Limited

CRC Partners

Deutsche Bank

Fincentrum

GlaxoSmithKline

Macquarie Bank

Michael Kors

Pilgrim's Pride

Sterling Bros Investment & Development Ltd.

Tyndall Group

Unilever

Dive Deeper into the Experience

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Experience the Case Method in the Classroom

Watch participants debate the issues and present their viewpoints.

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Learning and Living at HBS: When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

Admissions Criteria and Process

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

What You Will Learn

Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, group discussions, and practical exercises, you will develop a broader understanding of the best practices, core issues, and evolving trends in the private equity and venture capital industry. In the process, you will strengthen your problem-solving and decision-making skills and master new approaches to raising and investing capital.

What You Will Learn: Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, group discussions, and practical exercises, you will develop a broader understanding of the best practices, core issues, and evolving trends in the private equity and venture capital industry. In the process, you will strengthen your problem-solving and decision-making skills and master new approaches to raising and investing capital.

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Private equity and venture capital overview Private equity and venture capital overview

Surveying key limited partners
Structuring deals and raising funds
Analyzing term sheets and buyout structures
Examining the financing structures used by venture capital investors

Establishing and growing a private equity fund Establishing and growing a private equity fund

Optimizing decision-making and strategies for exiting investments
Managing the blocking and tackling of capital raising
Examining the economics and incentives of general partner and limited partner relationships

Navigating an evolving investment industry Navigating an evolving investment industry

Exploring the impact and future implications of globalization in the investment industry
Understanding emerging challengers such as cloud funding, special-purpose acquisition companies, and other alternative investment firms

Key Topics

Private equity and venture capital overview

Surveying key limited partners
Structuring deals and raising funds
Analyzing term sheets and buyout structures
Examining the financing structures used by venture capital investors

Establishing and growing a private equity fund

Optimizing decision-making and strategies for exiting investments
Managing the blocking and tackling of capital raising
Examining the economics and incentives of general partner and limited partner relationships

Navigating an evolving investment industry

Exploring the impact and future implications of globalization in the investment industry
Understanding emerging challengers such as cloud funding, special-purpose acquisition companies, and other alternative investment firms

FACULTY

Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Cochair

Victoria Ivashina

Lovett-Learned Professor of Business Administration. Faculty chair of the Global Initiative for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region; faculty cochair of "Foundations of Private Equity and Venture Capital." Member of the Finance Unit.

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Josh Lerner

Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking. Head of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit and member of the Finance Unit; faculty chair of "Private Equity and Venture Capital;" faculty cochair of "Foundations of Private Equity and Venture Capital."

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Paul A. Gompers

Eugene Holman Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Finance and the Entrepreneurial Management Units.

Read Full Bio

Nori Gerardo Lietz

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Finance and Entrepreneurial Management Units.

Read Full Bio

Kevin P. Mohan

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Negotiation, Organizations & Markets Unit.

Read Full Bio

Robert F. White

Senior Lecturer in the Entrepreneurial Management Unit.

Read Full Bio

FACULTY: Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Cochair

Victoria Ivashina

Lovett-Learned Professor of Business Administration. Faculty chair of the Global Initiative for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region; faculty cochair of "Foundations of Private Equity and Venture Capital." Member of the Finance Unit.

Read Full Bio

Josh Lerner

Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking. Head of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit and member of the Finance Unit; faculty chair of "Private Equity and Venture Capital;" faculty cochair of "Foundations of Private Equity and Venture Capital."

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Paul A. Gompers

Eugene Holman Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Finance and the Entrepreneurial Management Units.

Read Full Bio

Nori Gerardo Lietz

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Finance and Entrepreneurial Management Units.

Read Full Bio

Kevin P. Mohan

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Negotiation, Organizations & Markets Unit.

Read Full Bio

Robert F. White

Senior Lecturer in the Entrepreneurial Management Unit.

Read Full Bio