A lack of funding, not knowing how to spend it effectively, and not adequately balancing the risks of venture financing are just some of the reasons that startups fail. Gaining an understanding of venture finance could enable you to secure funding for a business and help it to realize its potential, whether as an investment or your own entrepreneurial venture.

The Oxford Entrepreneurship: Venture Finance Programme aims to provide you with this understanding through an exploration of the nature and dynamics of venture finance. Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll embark on an online learning journey that covers various investment avenues, including venture capital funds and crowdfunding. Led by Saïd Business School, University of Oxford faculty and industry experts, you’ll use a ‘two-hat’ approach to investigate venture finance from the perspective of both an entrepreneur and an investor. This course also explores how to navigate the funding process, from the initial fundraising to the final exit strategy.

The coursework of this online programme is aimed at those who are planning, or currently involved in, a new business and would like to gain a comprehensive understanding of venture capital financing. It’s also ideal for current or aspiring investors wanting to break into the industry. Investors will learn to analyse different funding opportunities, while entrepreneurs will learn how to effectively present and prepare their venture as they go about the fundraising process. Basic financial knowledge or business acumen is recommended.