Technology Investing

Abstract

Technology has the potential to transform our society. But without the right team & funding, some breakthroughs will never see the light of day. This course helps aspiring student/research entrepreneurs to understand how to fund the path from research into practice. The examples and cases will be primarily from software, AI, health, sustainability, and other deep-tech ventures.

Learning Objectives

After attending this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the differences between VC and founder thinking
• Evaluate if a start-up is suited for venture capital (“VC readiness”)
• Evaluate founder friendliness of term sheets
• Determine funding needs & strategy for a start-up from research to first round
• Write and evaluate an investment memorandum

Content

The course features guest speakers from leading venture capital (VC) firms and startups. The course embraces a unique perspective combining technology and investor thinking. We invite motivated students from ETH, HSG, and other universities to join that are interested in how VC works to fund big ideas. The learning experience is hands-on & interactive thanks to a simulated investment committee (IC) case. Participants form interdisciplinary teams, get pitched by actual Swiss Pre-Seed startups, create an investment memorandum ("deal memo") and defend the case in front of a  jury consisting of leading European VCs and investors. The course is structured in five days with the following themes:

1. Macro picture & hypotheses
2. Peek into the mind of a VC
3. Founders perspective
4. Raising capital
5. IC Simulation