Course Modules:

Module 1: Introduction to Venture Capital and Private Equity

• Definitions, types, and sources of equity investment
• Stages of SME financing: seed, early-stage, growth, and expansion
• Roles of VC/PE in innovation and SME scale-up
  Case Study: Evolution of an African startup from bootstrapping to VC-backed
  Exercise: Map the financing stages of your SME or enterprise

Module 2: Structuring VC/PE Funds and Deal Flow

• Fund formation, investor relations, and governance
• Pipeline development: sourcing and screening SME deals
• Investment committees, mandates, and exits
  Workshop: Simulate the investment decision process of a VC fund
  Case Study: How a regional PE fund structured investments in agribusiness SMEs

Module 3: Investment Readiness and Valuation of SMEs

• Key components of investor-ready business models
• Financial modeling and SME valuation techniques
• Legal and due diligence preparation
  Exercise: Conduct a mini valuation of a case SME using earnings methods
  Case Study: How one firm prepared for investor due diligence and secured Series A

Module 4: Term Sheets, Negotiations, and Deal Structuring

• Understanding investor term sheets and cap tables
• Negotiating ownership, governance, and control
• Exit strategies: IPOs, trade sales, buybacks
  Workshop: Review and negotiate a sample term sheet
  Case Study: Lessons from a failed investment deal due to poor structuring

Module 5: Ecosystem Development and Policy Enablers

• Role of incubators, accelerators, and investment readiness programs
• Government facilitation tools and SME investor networks
• Building regional VC/PE ecosystems in Africa
  Simulation: Create an SME investment pitch and present to a panel of mock investors
  Peer Review: Provide structured feedback on peer investment proposals