Sign up to be the first to know when we launch the next cohort.
Raising capital is one of the most important—and difficult—steps in launching a startup. Whether it’s self-funding a passion project or landing millions from venture investors, each funding path has trade-offs that shape the future of a business. This course helps students unpack those decisions by looking at real startup journeys and understanding what investors look for, how deals are structured, and why access to capital is not always equal. Students will dive into concepts like founder equity, investor expectations, and financial metrics used to evaluate startups. They’ll analyze both success stories and cautionary tales to better understand the dynamics of startup growth. Ultimately, this course empowers students to think like founders and investors, while critically examining the broader economic and social impacts of capital distribution.
Students explore different types of startup funding (bootstrapping, angel investors, VC) and why capital is critical at different stages. They’ll begin identifying real-world startups and examining how they raised money.
Students learn what investors look for—traction, team, TAM (total addressable market)—and how these priorities influence startup behavior. They’ll analyze real pitch decks and funding stories for insight.
This week covers equity dilution, founder control, and the long-term impact of early funding decisions. Students debate common trade-offs founders face when raising money.
Students explore bias in venture capital and how gender, race, and geography affect access to funding. They reflect on how ethical considerations and social equity play into entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Students begin developing their own startup ideas or refining an assigned one. They craft a funding plan, define their target investor, and begin building the pitch deck.
.png){kind=small}
.png)
