Overview of Course

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to how financial markets and institutions operate within the overall framework of entrepreneurship. A primary focus will be on describing and explaining the funding sources for the various stages of a successful business life cycle, as well as, the basic characteristics of different financial markets (microfinance, venture capital, banking institutions, governmental). We will also discuss the importance of looking into the future when determining the financial valuation of a new business and examine different formal and informal methods to determine a venture’s value. On our journey, we will compare the financial markets and institutions in the developed and emerging countries that we visit and examine how entrepreneurs and small businesses access the resources in different financial markets to startup and grow. Our field class will include a visit to the Bank of Ghana or a similar institution. Students will gain an understanding of the important role that microfinance plays in developing countries. Through a combination of readings, interactive exercises, field classes, projects and exams, students upon completing this course will understand the importance of business valuation and access to finance to entrepreneurship engagement, organization and outcomes.