Entrepreneurial finance and venture capital

This certification provides an analytical and applied introduction to entrepreneurial finance and venture capital, focusing on how high-growth, high-uncertainty ventures are valued, financed, governed, and scaled. Explores the dynamics of entrepreneurial ecosystems, investment decision-making, and startup growth strategies across international markets. Participants will analyze real-world venture capital cases, assess funding stages and investor expectations, and develop a strategic understanding of how entrepreneurs and investors create value in innovation-driven environments.

The course culminates in a group-based venture capital fund simulation in which students act as fund managers, selecting and valuing real startups. Group projects will be presented to and evaluated by three fund managers from leading private equity and venture capital firms in Portugal, with combined assets under management exceeding €2.5 billion. Guest speakers will rotate among venture capital fund managers from funds based in Spain, Portugal, Germany, US, and LATAM; angel investors, and founders with proven exits. The objective is to allow students to engage directly with professionals from the LATAM and European venture capital ecosystem.

• Finance professionals and alumni who wish to deepen their knowledge of entrepreneurial finance and venture capital.
• Startup founders with operational experience looking to enhance their ability to manage and scale their ventures through venture capital strategies.
• Professionals and entrepreneurs aiming to understand how high-growth, high-uncertainty ventures are financed, governed, and scaled in real-world environments, including emerging markets.
• Investment professionals aiming to increase their perspective with other funds' investment strategies, public policy incentives in Europe, and expand their vision comparing the Europe vs LATAM investment industry.

• Evaluate startup business models under uncertainty.
• Analyze and structure Venture Capital Term Sheets.
• Apply venture capital valuation methods.
• Understand Venture Capital fund mechanics and fundraising strategies.
• Analyze real case scenarios and industry best practices: Europe vs LATAM.

Participants gain access to a learning experience designed to strengthen their professional capabilities, apply relevant knowledge, and create value within their organizations.

• Institutional backing and academic excellence: Certificate awarded by Universidad San Francisco de Quito, through Escuela de Empresas of the School of Business, an institution recognized for its academic quality, international outlook, and commitment to business education and professional performance improvement.
• Practical and applicable learning: The program integrates active methodologies, case studies, simulations, real-world analysis, and applied projects aimed at transferring learning to the workplace.
• Market-aligned content: The curriculum responds to current trends, organizational needs, and the challenges professionals face in dynamic and competitive environments.
• Development of decision-making and action-oriented skills: The program strengthens technical, strategic, and interpersonal competencies to analyze problems, propose solutions, and act effectively in real business scenarios.
• Connection with a business community: Participants gain access to talks, forums, conferences, and events that promote networking, knowledge exchange, and the development of valuable professional relationships.
• Engagement with experts and strategic partners: Escuela de Empresas collaborates with organizations, faculty, and consultants with applied experience, enriching the learning process with a practical business perspective.
• Virtual flexibility: Access to Desire2Learn (D2L) enables participants to review materials, engage academically, and manage their learning flexibly.
• Continuing education benefits: Participants receive preferential discounts on open-enrollment programs from Escuela de Empresas, supporting an ongoing development pathway.
• Purpose-driven education: The program fosters professionals capable of creating value, improving team performance, and contributing ethically and effectively to organizational growth.

Extracurricular activities

This is a hybrid program with a duration of 80 hours, distributed as follows:

*Depending on the shared activities, their modality may vary. The table presents them in an in-person format.

Classes are delivered synchronously and complemented by asynchronous activities and the use of resources on the virtual platform. The program follows an active, participatory, and critical methodology that links theory with practice. Students are required to access the Desire2Learn (D2L) virtual platform to become familiar with it, use the study resources, and complete the virtual activities. Access to the D2L platform remains active from the start of the program until one month after its completion.

The program promotes the practical application of knowledge by combining a strong academic foundation with hands-on experiences that enhance active learning. Participants have access to a variety of resources, including presentations, readings, case studies, and audiovisual materials that support conceptual understanding and critical analysis. These are complemented by interactive activities, workshops, forums, cases, and exercises that allow participants to apply the content and develop competencies transferable to the professional environment.

• The program requires participation, attendance, and the completion of evaluation activities assigned by the instructor.
• The capstone project must have a minimum passing grade of 70/100.
• Specifically, participants must achieve a minimum score of 70% in the following activities:

The capstone project must have a minimum passing grade of 70/100.