Course coordinator
Dr Leo Luong
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (18/08/2025 - 03/10/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- Brisbane City
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
Private Equity and Venture Capital places emphasis on cash flow modelling of potential/actual portfolio company investments, fund level performance, understanding addressable markets and the power rule. The course explores business model viability and technological feasibility in detail using appropriate methodologies covering market and illiquidity risks.
Course requirements
Companion or co-requisite courses
You'll need to complete the following courses at the same time:
FINM7101
Restrictions
Restricted to students enrolled in the MFinInvMgt and GCFinInvM.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Mr Christopher Wade
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
This is an intensive course that will include both self-paced online and face-to-face teaching as part of its delivery. Important dates for this course that do not appear on the public timetable are as follows:
- Online Content Available: 18 August 2025
- Face-to-Face Delivery: 17, 18, 19 September 2025
- End of Course: 14 October 2025
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to give students a deeper understanding of the distinct characteristics of private equity, private credit, and venture capital investments. Students will be expected to understand the motivations and compensation mechanisms commonly utilised in the sector.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Integrate financial and non-financial data from multiple sources to make robust investment decisions.
LO2.
Analyse return streams on the various stages of a private business/venture evolution over different investment horizons to maximise returns on exit.
LO3.
Present conclusions, key valuation strategies and findings to stakeholders with a group of peers.
LO4.
Evaluate technological feasibility and business model viability.
LO5.
Customise incentive frameworks appropriate for different stakeholders within the investment model.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
A1: Case Study Analysis
|
50% |
8/09/2025 3:00 pm |
| Presentation, Reflection, Role play/ Simulation |
A2: Simulation Reflection
|
35% |
Part A During Class 19/09/2025 3:00 pm Part B Group Reflection 3/10/2025 3:00 pm |
| Reflection |
A3: Reflection
|
15% |
3/10/2025 3:00 pm |
Assessment details
A1: Case Study Analysis
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
8/09/2025 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L04
Task description
Students will be required to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the initial online/self-directed learning content to analyse a chosen case study connected to Private Equity. They will provide a written paper responding to a range of questions and advise on strategies and approaches to Private Equity investments.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
To be submitted via Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
A2: Simulation Reflection
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Presentation, Reflection, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
Part A During Class 19/09/2025 3:00 pm
Part B Group Reflection 3/10/2025 3:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
On Day 3 of the face-to-face course you will work on an LBO simulation. You will be assessed on your group collaboration and the quality of the answers you present on the day. The questions you will present will depend on the number of groups on the day (70% of the total grade for this assignment).
Following the face-to-face sessions, an additional short reflection piece on this exercise will be done in your group highlighting what you did well, what you could have done better and what you learnt from the exercise (30% of the total grade for this assignment).
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
To be submitted via Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
A3: Reflection
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
3/10/2025 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L04, L05
Task description
Following the face-to-face sessions students will submit a short reflection referring to the practical investment negotiations they performed. You will incorporate what you did well and why, what you could have done differently and the anticipated outcomes and provide specific examples of negotiations to describe the specifics of venture-capitalist/entrepreneurs negotiations.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
To be submitted via Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 5 |
General contact hours |
Online Learning / Self-Paced Learning 18 August - 16 September 2025 (Self-Directed Learning) Topics covered include structuring a fund and raising capital, assessing investment opportunities and valuing potential investments. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 5 |
Workshop |
Face-Face Learning: Day 1 - 17 September 2025 17 September 2025 Topics: Venture capital growth - negotiation and structuring the transaction. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Workshop |
Face-to-Face Learning: Day 2 - 18 September 2025 18 September 2025 Topics: Venture capital growth - Buy out valuation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Workshop |
Face-to-Face learning: Day 3 - 19 September 2025 19 September 2025 Topics: Buy Out – Putting it all together Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 6 To Week 8 |
General contact hours |
Online Learning / Assessment 20 September - 10 October 2025 Topics include Value creation in portfolio companies and exit strategies. In addition to self directed learning, students will be working individually to develop their assessment. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.