Entrepreneurial capital raising and the start-up ecosystem

Ever wondered how companies like Linktree, Culture Amp and Airwallex were started and funded? To date, Australia has produced more than 20 Unicorns - start-ups that have reached a US$1 Billion valuation, and 6 Decacorns - companies valued at over US$10 Billion such as Canva, Afterpay, Atlassian and Wisetech Global. In almost all cases, investment, funding and venture capital played a critical role in getting these companies started and turbocharging their growth. This course will focus on the nuts and bolts of how investment can support start-ups and the role capital plays in building high growth companies and start-ups. It will also focus on how various sources of fundraising can change the future of business - whether that is through impact investing, new technology or bridging the diversity and gender gaps in business. It is designed for founders, future founders and students looking to pursue a career in business or within the start-up ecosystem. The subject will combine action-based experiences - interactive class role playing, theory and strategy delivered by industry experts and investors, as well as real life meetings with early stage start-ups. Through the unit you will learn to identify the need for investment or not; understand the different types of capital and investors; learn best practice regarding pitching for funding and be able to define, negotiate and execute early-stage investments as well as pathways to exit.