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Venture Capital Financing for Startups

  • Finance & Investment
  • Basic
  • SkillsFuture
  • Short Courses

This module is conducted in-person.

Next course starts on
To be advised
Fee
SGD872* (as low as SGD101.60 after maximum funding) Learn More
Duration

1 day
Weekday (9am - 6pm)

Level
Basic

Who Should Attend

  • Entrepreneurs and business owners seeking venture capital (VC) funding
  • VC and angel investors and service providers involved in the deal process

Overview

Turning Business Ideas Into Reality

Have a compelling idea but need funding for the business to get off the ground? For many entrepreneurs, securing venture capital (VC) financing can be the first step to realising their dream of their idea becoming the next unicorn. However, securing venture capital seed money can be very challenging for a startup without an established track record.

This workshop aims to provide entrepreneurs with a better understanding of the process and investment considerations involved in venture capital funding raising, negotiation and deal structuring. The knowledge will help entrepreneurs understand what venture capitalists are looking for to increase the likelihood of securing the first tranche of funding from potential investors.

Learning Objectives

  • Gain an overview of venture capital industry and fund structure
  • Understand early stage financing
  • Know the investment filters used in deal screening
  • Learn valuation matrix to valuing startups
  • Evaluate exit strategies and impact on equity valuation

Topic/Structure

Introduction

  • Development lifecycle and funding stages for early stage firms
  • Overview of venture capital (VC) industry
  • Fundraising and investment process
  • Investment filters
  • Documentation and key clauses
 

Valuation Matrix

  • Pre- and post-money
  • Capitalization table
  • Relevant DCF and market comparable
  • Other factors of consideration
     

Forms of Investment

  • Convertible note/ preferred stock
  • Simple agreement for future equity (SAFE), etc.
 

Harvesting

  • Exit strategies
  • Financing option & impact on equity valuation

Assessment

As part of the requirement for SkillsFuture Singapore, there will be an assessment conducted at the end of the course. The mode of assessment, which is up to the trainer’s discretion, may be an online quiz, a presentation or based on classroom exercises.

Participants are required to attain a minimum of 75% attendance and pass the associated assessment in order to receive a digital Certificate of Completion issued by Singapore Management University.

Calculate Programme Fee

Click here for more infomation about SkillsFuture Credits (Not applicable for Company-sponsored participants)
For PSEA - Available only for Singapore Citizen below 31 (Not applicable for Company-sponsored participants)

Total Program Fee: SGD0.00

Fee Table

COMPANY-SPONSORED

PARTICIPANT PROFILE

SELF-SPONSORED

SME

NON-SME

Singapore Citizen < 40 years old

Permanent Resident

LTVP+

$261.60

(After SSG Funding 70%)

$101.60

(After SSG Funding 70%
+ ETSS Funding 20%)

$261.60

(After SSG Funding 70%)

Singapore Citizen ≥ 40 years old

$101.60

(After SSG Funding 70%
+ MCES Funding 20%)

$101.60

(After SSG Funding 70%
+ ETSS Funding 20%)

$101.60

(After SSG Funding 70%
+ MCES Funding 20%)

International Participant

$872

(No Funding)

$872

(No Funding)

$872

(No Funding)

All prices include 9% GST

Please note that the programme fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Post Secondary Education Account (PSEA)
PSEA can be utilised for subsidised programmes eligible for SkillsFuture Credit support. Click here to find out more.

Self Sponsored

SkillsFuture Credit

Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above may use their SkillsFuture Credits to pay for the course fees. The credits may be used on top of existing course fee funding.

This is only applicable to self-sponsored participants. Application to utilise SkillsFuture Credits can be submitted when making payment for the course via the SMU Academy TMS Portal, and can only be made within 60 days of course start date.

Please click here for more information on the SkillsFuture Credit. For help in submitting an SFC claim, you may wish to refer to our step-by-step guide on claiming SkillsFuture Credits (Individual).

Workfare Skills Support Scheme

From 1 July 2023, the Workfare Skills Support (WSS) scheme has been enhanced. Please click here for more details.

Company Sponsored

Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS)

  • Organisation must be registered or incorporated in Singapore
  • Employment size of not more than 200 or with annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million
  • Trainees must be hired in accordance with the Employment Act and fully sponsored by their employers for the course
  • Trainees must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents
  • Trainees must not be a full-time national serviceman
  • Trainees are eligible for ETSS funding only if their company's SME status is approved prior to the course commencement date. To verify your SME's status, please click here. 

Please click here for more information on ETSS.

Absentee Payroll

Companies who sponsor their employees for the course may apply for Absentee Payroll here. For more information, please refer to:

AP Guide (Non-SME Companies)
Declaration Guide (SME Companies)

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Trainers

Dr Ang Ser-Keng‹
Principal Lecturer of Finance
SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Dr Ang Ser-Keng‹
Principal Lecturer of Finance
SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business

Ser-Keng has taught undergraduate, executive, and postgraduate programs since 2003. Previously an investment banker for nine years in London and Hong Kong, he worked on cross-border transactions in the Asia Pacific at banks like Deutsche Bank and ABN AMRO, focusing on mergers & acquisitions and capital markets. Ser-Keng advises small businesses through his directorship at the UOB-SMU Asian Enterprise Institute since 2006. He holds a PhD in Finance from UNSW Business School, an MBA from London Business School (LBS), a Master in Business Research from UWA, and a Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc) from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is qualified for both CA and ACIS.

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