ENTREPRENEURIAL FINANCE - 2026/7

Module Overview

Students will gain a comprehensive understanding about key topics related to Entrepreneurial Finance.  We will look at both the perspective of startups and high-growth businesses seeking funding and the perspective of venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) investors attracted by high-return high-growth investment opportunities.  Emphasis is placed on financial theory, real-world deal analysis, valuation, risk assessment, performance metrics, and exit strategies. Students first examine the Entrepreneurial Finance ecosystem where startups are seeking funding.  We will look at different sources of funding including the VC model and fund structures, different valuation techniques, and deal structuring. Students then evaluate high-return investment opportunities related to PE funds which cover the PE investment model, investment strategies, leveraged buy-outs, and distressed investing. 

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

MAHON Christopher (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

• Entrepreneurial finance ecosystem including Venture Capital (VC) and Private Equity (PE) funds
• Key concepts and terminology for VC and PE funds
• Startup and growth cash flow valuation methodologies
• Portfolio management, value creation and exit strategies
• Leveraged buyouts and distressed investing
• Performance metrics and exit strategies

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

The group assignment Investment Proposal will be prepared as an individual project

Assessment Strategy

  The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of Entrepreneurial Finance theory and to apply it for business decision-making:  Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Project 40% group video presentation (addressing Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7)
• Coursework 60% 3000-word individual report (addressing Learning Outcomes 3, 4, 5, 6)

Formative assessmentStudents will receive individual and group feedback during the module from teaching staff which they are expected to use to improve their work for assignments.FeedbackStudents will receive formative feedback verbally in lecture or seminar while they will also receive written feedback for an assignment which can be used to inform further summative assessments

Module aims

• To develop a comprehensive understanding of Entrepreneurial Finance theory including venture capital and private equity funds.
• To develop critical insight into investment strategies and decision-making by institutional investors.
• To evaluate investment opportunities for venture capital and private equity funds using a range of valuation methodologies in a real-world context.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:Provide a comprehensive theoretical understanding of the key concepts, approaches and methods, accompanied by practical application of the knowledge in a real-world context. The learning will be developed from lectures, group discussions and workshop activities, including guest speakers.  In addition to academic literature and case studies, the module will make use of online resources.The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures, seminars, class discussions and debates.
• Group project and activities; Multimedia resources e.g. audio podcasts (used both in class and as part of guided learning
• Case study/class preparation
• SurreyLearn VLE (used to support learning and teaching and communication with students)
• Support materials
• Reading and class preparation via directed learning and independent study Individual work

Designated external resources to support skill development provided where deemed appropriate; In addition, those on the module teaching team are accessible throughout the semester to address and clarify questions.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM605

Other information

Surrey Business School, Master of Business Administration programme is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Employability: students develop key digital and business skills which they can apply in a range of different business contexts. This is assessed in both assessments.

Digital Capabilities: students develop an understanding and awareness of key digital skills which they apply in a business context. This is assessed in both assessments.

Resourcefulness and Resilience: students work in groups on a project where they are expected to respond to challenges to find solutions which require creativity and an ability to adapt based on the business context. This is assessed in the group assessment.

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.