Paola Sapienza

Corporate Finance III (FINC-586-3)

This course provides a theoretical and empirical treatment of major topics in empirical corporate finance, including financial contracting; banking, securitization, and financial regulation: household finance and macroeconomics; entrepreneurship and venture capital.

Corporate Finance II (FINC-586-2)

This course provides a theoretical and empirical treatment of major topics in empirical corporate finance, including: investment decisions, capital structure, corporate governance, and law and finance.

Entrepreneurial Finance & Venture Capital (FINCX-445-0)

Entrepreneurial activity has been a potent source of innovation and job generation in the global economy. In the U.S., the majority of new jobs are generated by new entrepreneurial firms. The financial issues confronting entrepreneurial firms are drastically different from those faced by established companies. The focus on this course will be on analyzing the unique financial issues faced by high growth entrepreneurial firms (think: high growth startups), including the different sources of financing and the type of contracts offered to these type of firms. The course is aimed primarily at people who may be involved in an entrepreneurial venture at some point in their careers whether in a startup, a spinoff from a large organization, or a turnaround. The course is also useful for venture capital careers and students interested in Venture Capital as an asset class (Limited Partners).

Venture Investing (FINC-980-5)

This course provides an overview of venture capital and the VC investment process. The course covers the basics of startup venture evaluation and how VCs use qualitative and quantitative information to prepare forecasts, value companies, and assess risk. It also introduces basic term sheets and investment structures. The course is aimed primarily at people who may be involved in an entrepreneurial venture at some point in their careers or are interested in venture capital careers. The course is only offered in the San Francisco immersion program

Private Equity Lab (FINC-639-0)

This course offers an experiential learning opportunity in private equity. Following an interviewing process with host firms, if accepted, students will be placed as an intern with a PE firm, where they will work for two days each week for 10 weeks. A separate program within PE Lab provides opportunities for students to intern at PE portfolio companies where the work focus is on operational functions. All students commit to complete at least 150 hours of work during the quarter. Many host firms are in the Chicago area, where students are expected to work on-site two days/week, and other firms are remote, with most work completed remotely, and on-site work is usually limited to a few days during the quarter. Work is not compensated, but out-of-pocket expense reimbursements may be requested. Students meet in class only twice: during the morning of the first and last Wednesdays of the quarter. There are required readings and a project report that summarizes work completed for the PE firm, which is due at the end of the quarter. Course registration is by application only, which must be submitted directly to the application site approximately eight weeks before the quarter starts. Students do not need to bid for this course, but admittance to PE Lab is determined based on interviews with host firms and acceptance by the Professor.

The course is open to 2Y, 1Y, MMM, MBAi, and EW students.

For other recommended courses consult the Private Equity Pathway.

Registration for this course is by application only. Applications can be submitted through the Course Applications section of the Student Bidding Registration site.

Venture Lab (FINC-615-0)

This course offers students an experiential learning opportunity in the venture capital industry with a focus on all aspects of the venture space, including venture capital funds, corporate venture, seed, incubators, and social venture. A separate program within Venture Lab provides opportunities for students to intern at Venture Capital portfolio companies, where the work focus is on operational functions and product management. Following an interviewing process with host firms, if accepted, most students will be placed as an intern with a venture-related firm or portfolio company in the Chicago area, where they will work for two days each week for 10 weeks. Some students will be placed at a remote firm in another state, with limited on-site work. All students commit to complete at least 150 hours of work during the quarter, which is not compensated (but out-of-pocket expense reimbursements may be requested). A project report based on work for the firm is due at the end of the quarter. Students will meet in class only twice: during the first and last Wednesday mornings of the quarter. Course registration is by application only, which must be submitted directly to the application site approximately eight weeks before the quarter starts. Students do not need to bid for this course, but admittance to Venture Lab is determined based on interviews with host firms and acceptance by the Professor.

The course is open to 2Y, 1Y, MMM, MBAi, and EW students.

For other recommended courses consult the Venture Capital Pathway More information can be found on the Heizer Center webpage

Registration for this course is by application only. Applications can be submitted through the Course Applications section of the Student Bidding Registration site.