Private equity has become one of the most influential sectors of global finance, providing capital, strategic guidance, and operational expertise to businesses at various stages of development. Private equity firms acquire, improve, grow, and eventually exit investments with the objective of creating substantial long-term value for investors. Unlike traditional public market investing, private equity requires deep expertise in business valuation, financial structuring, operational improvement, governance, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, and value creation.
This course provides a practical, executive-oriented study of advanced private equity investing. Rather than focusing solely on financial engineering or academic investment theory, students will examine the complete private equity investment lifecycle—from fund formation and capital raising through deal sourcing, due diligence, acquisition structuring, portfolio management, operational transformation, and successful exits. Students will also explore how private equity professionals evaluate businesses, improve organizational performance, manage portfolio companies, oversee governance, and maximize enterprise value.
Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on real-world decision-making used by private equity firms, institutional investors, family offices, corporate development teams, and executive leadership. By the end of the course, students will understand how private equity combines finance, strategy, operations, governance, and leadership to build high-performing businesses and generate superior long-term investment returns.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Understand the structure and operation of private equity firms and investment funds.
• Evaluate private equity investment opportunities using strategic and financial analysis.
• Assess companies through advanced valuation and due diligence processes.
• Understand transaction structuring and acquisition financing.
• Develop value creation plans for portfolio companies.
• Analyze operational improvements that increase enterprise value.
• Understand governance practices within private equity ownership.
• Evaluate exit strategies and investment performance.
• Assess risk management throughout the private equity investment lifecycle.
• Integrate private equity principles into broader corporate finance and investment strategy.
