September 2009 Archives

The following blog written by 2nd year, Rob Delwo highlights some exciting finance-centered offerings of both the Leeds School of Business and the MBA Finance Club. I am particularly looking forward to the VC Boot Camp...thanks for sharing, Rob!

The fall term of my second year has been flying by, I can't believe we are already through the 3^rd week of classes and mid-term exams are around the corner. It seems like yesterday when we started the term and I set the goal for the 2^nd year of my MBA; to further my understanding of private equity investing (this includes venture capital investing), and ultimately, to start a career in this space.

This term I am taking three PE/VC related classes:

 

• PE/VC law: This course is taught by Prof Victor Fleisher and has provided an amazing overview on how private equity works. So far we have covered topics such as the structure of a PE/VC firm, the limited partner's perspective, commission structures and the history of private equity which includes legal acts such as Erisa. I'm excited to get into term sheets and the course project which will have us analyze a local VC firm and some tech start ups.

 

• Entrepreneurial finance: Prof Chris Leach is one of the most entertaining professors I have ever had, giving this class the potential to be my favorite MBA course.

 

• Business Plan Preparation: Prof George Desiro and Liz Snowden provide guidance as students go through the process of creating business plan. While there are differing opinions on the business plan process, I believe it adds a great deal of value to "new" entrepreneurs.

Next term I'm looking forward to taking Entrepreneurship and the Venture Capital Process, a new class offering taught by Prof Bret Fund. The class will operate in conjunction with the recently proposed Deming Center Venture Fund, a seed capital fund run by a group of Leeds MBA students. The class will go through deal flow, due diligence, investment decisions and portfolio management. The goal for the class is for students to further their education in entrepreneurship and venture capital, and to use the funding from the Deming Center Venture Fund to make a real investment.

As one of the managers of the finance club I am proud to say that we have expanded our offering on the PE/VC side. Our goal for the new division of the club is to promote the educational experience in private investing and to take advantage of the network of venture capitalists in the Boulder area.

I recently attended an event sponsored by the Colorado Bioscience Association called "Negotiating the Venture Capital Term Sheet". Brent Fassett from Cooley and Dan Mitchell from Sequel role-played a VC negotiation and took "character breaks" to explain the term sheet. The CU MBA class was well represented with 15 participants.

There are several other incredible events that are taking place in the near term, these include: "Ask the VC" with Jason Mendelson from the Foundry Group and a "One on One" with Brad Feld, also from the Foundry Group. On Nov 3^rd I will be volunteering for the NREL Industry Growth Forum which will provide exposure to private investors and entrepreneurs in CleanTech.

Lastly, the VC boot camp on Nov 6^th and 13^th will be a two day event, put on by the finance club that will feature an all-star line up of speakers including: Pam Shepherd and Kim Bixel from Greenmont Capital, Jason Mendelson from the Foundry group, CU law professor Brad Bernthal, and professional investor Chris Wand.

Hopefully by the end of this term I will have a strong understanding of private investing and will be slightly ahead of the game when it comes to finding a job this spring, but only time will tell. That's all for now, I'm off to write my application for the Venture Capital Investment Team!

I am so excited to share this blog, written by Daniel Moncayo about his experience in Guatemala this summer! Enjoy!

This afternoon I made my radio debut on ' Stereo 100' down here in Xela, Guatemala. I never thought I'd be interviewed in Spanish . . . in Guatemala . . .  on the topic of an appropriate technology business plan competition, but . . .  the way things are working out during this summer internship . . . why should I be surprised?

I'm having a great time in Guatemala working for an NGO called AIDG (The Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group)! AIDG researches and develops sustainable infrastructure solutions such as solar water heaters, biodigestors, and micro-hydro power stations, and then incubates local businesses that market and sell the technologies.

The field of 'appropriate technology' is fascinating and it's exciting to think about it from an entrepreneurial perspective; especially its application in an international development context. In case you are not familiar, allow me to share a bit about what I've learned so far about a couple of appropriate technologies.

Biodigestors, for example, are like small storage tanks filled with organic waste such as vegetable scraps and animal excrement that produce methane gas and effluent (a liquid fertilizer). The methane can be used to power stoves and lights in rural areas that lack access to utility infrastructure. The effluent is a rich and hearty fertilizer for crops or gardening.

AIDG developed the technology for low-cost solar water heaters, and a local incubated business manufactures and sells the heaters. They consist of sheets of glass over black galvanized tubing in a large panel connected to a reservoir. The sun generates enough heat for comfortable showers at night or in the morning.

Finally, another exciting technology is the Rocket Stove. Briefly, this is a wood-burning stove that utilizes a more efficient combustion chamber than traditional stoves. The Rocket Stove offers local Guatemalans several benefits including: time saved, fewer respiratory problems, and money saved since the wood burns more efficiently. You can learn more about these and other appropriate technologies, along with AIDG's business incubation strategy on AIDG's website - www.aidg.org

The majority of my summer internship is focused on the development and coordination of an appropriate technology business plan competition called GuateVerde . Check out our new website at: www.guateverde.com to learn more about it. In addition to developing publicity and website content, I am giving public presentations on the contest and I am helping to develop all-day entrepreneurial workshops. The Leeds MBA is definitely coming in handy as I develop the curriculum for the all-day workshops. In fact, the training course will teach future entrepreneurs about finance, marketing, business plans, and management and operations - topics I've become quite familiar with during Business School!

I feel inspired by my internship with AIDG because it provides exposure to creative and sustainable infrastructure ideas in a context where contamination is rampant, rivers are polluted, and trash is tossed through the windows of passing 'chicken buses.' I see a lot of potential for innovative ideas that are both profitable and sustainable. I also recognize the latent potential of local entrepreneurs who are accustomed to running small businesses such as liquor stores and internet cafes. I'm curious to see how these entrepreneurs will transfer their enthusiasm and determination into 'green' ideas that make a positive impact on the local communities.

I look forward to reporting more about the GuateVerde Business Plan Competition and other aspects of life in Guatemala as the summer progresses. Until next time. ¡Hasta Pronto!

Wow.

 

This has been an event filled couple of weeks! The second years are officially in session and have settled into the classes that they will be working on for the next (and second to last) semester of the MBA program. Personally, it took a great deal of effort and thought for me to make final course decisions, as the end of the tunnel is certainly in sight and there is quite a bit of pressure to make every class count! This semester I am taking Entrepreneurial Finance, Marketing Intelligence and Social Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets in the Business School and a VC/PE Law class. My schedule represents some opportunities to step out of my 'comfort zone' (i.e. efinance) as well as some very exciting opportunities to 'round out' my experience at Leeds.

 

Along with the start of classes has been the resurgence of the packed social calendar! Each student club has presented the student body with a number of very exciting events to expect for the year. This week we will be announcing the re-launch of the Ladies MBA Golf Club in partnership with NAWMBA (National Association of Women MBA's). As well, Kim West and I, along with a few other classmates, will be launching the Leeds MBA Food & Wine Club which will provide some unique occasions to socialize among 1^st years, 2^nd years, faculty and alumni, while offering opportunities to engage those with significant others outside of the program. I am so excited to introduce our MBA's to the incredible Food & Wine culture that Boulder has to offer!

 

This post will not go into detail about the current state of our football team ... however, I will be there on Saturday, cheering our Buffs against Wyoming and hoping that those throwback jerseys serve us well! Let's hope for a big 'W' this weekend!

 

Welcome back everyone!