PE AND VC
A comprehensive masterclass on navigating the private capital landscape β from venture capital economics and funding rounds to cap table management and PE leveraged buyouts.
The Private Capital Landscape
How private capital markets are structured, the investment thesis behind each segment, and why the CFO's relationship with investors defines the company's financial trajectory.
Venture Capital Economics
The economic architecture of VC funds β LP/GP economics, the management fee and carry model, fund lifecycle, and the return math that drives every VC decision.
The Funding Round
Pre-money and post-money valuation mechanics, the term sheet provisions that matter most financially, liquidation preferences, and data room discipline.
The Cap Table
Building and maintaining a clean cap table, dilution modeling for financing rounds, option pool management, and exit scenario waterfall analysis.
Financial Reporting
The monthly and quarterly board package structure, the KPI framework that translates operational performance into financial terms, and investor communication cadence.
Unit Economics
Mastering CAC, LTV, LTV/CAC ratio, and payback periods. Using cohort analysis and gross margin segmentation to define the path to profitability.
Managing the Burn Rate
Cash runway modeling, spend prioritization, and headless management. The financial milestones that determine the timing and terms of your next round.
Revenue Recognition
ASC 606 implementation, gross vs. net revenue for marketplaces, and the reconciliation between ARR and GAAP revenue for audit readiness.
Growth Equity
The financial governance shift from venture to growth equity, budget approval disciplines, and the CFO's role as the company approaches profitability.
The Financial Plan for Scale
The annual budget process from kickoff to approval, rolling forecast disciplines, and financial model architecture connecting unit economics to the P&L.
FP&A at the Growth Stage
Structuring the FP&A team, the analytical tools and models FP&A must own, the business partnership model connecting finance to every function, and the data infrastructure for sophisticated analysis.
GAAP & Audit
The first audit process, common adjustments in growth companies, ASC 805 for acquisitions, ASC 718 for equity compensation, and navigating the audit committee relationship.
Equity Compensation
Tax treatment and governance for various equity instruments. 409A valuation management, timing discipline, and the financial statement impact of equity at scale.
M&A Strategy
Acquisition thesis, financial screening criteria, target due diligence, and deal structuring. The CFO's role in negotiations and purchase agreement financial terms.
Integration Finance
Managing Day 1 readiness, financial system harmonization, chart of accounts integration, and synergy realization tracking following an acquisition.
Series C & Beyond
Transitioning to SEC reporting standards, internal controls under SOX, auditor upgrade timelines, and building the financial narrative for the S-1.
Private Equity Mechanics
How PE funds structure and finance acquisitions, sources and uses analysis, debt financing components (Senior, Mezzanine), and the return arithmetic of the LBO model.
Due Diligence (Target Side)
Preparing for the systematic financial audit of a PE buyer. Quality of Earnings (QoE) from the seller's side, data room architecture, and management presentation discipline.
The 100-Day Plan
Immediate financial governance upgrades, debt facility onboarding, baseline holding period models, and building relationships with PE operating partners.
Capital Management
Managing leveraged capital structures: monthly covenant compliance, PIK interest mechanics, free cash flow for debt repayment, and the exit waterfall analysis.
PE Value Creation
The three levers of PE returns: operational EBITDA expansion, multiple arbitrage through transformation, and financial engineering through capital optimization.
PE Incentive Plans
Aligning management with the value creation agenda. Rollover equity mechanics, sweet equity ratchets, promote structures, and modeling management economics.
Add-On Acquisitions
The buy-and-build strategy from the CFO's perspective. Financial criteria for bolt-ons, accelerated due diligence, purchase accounting at scale, and synergy tracking.
Exit Preparation
Preparing for the hold-period conclusion. Financial cleanup 12 months out, sell-side QoE preparation, data room assembly, and crafting the exit narrative.
The IPO Process
The most demanding financial event. S-1 preparation, PCAOB audit requirements, the roadshow narrative, and the transition to recurring public reporting.
The M&A Exit
Managing a competitive sale process. Banker selection, negotiating purchase agreement financial terms (NWC pegs, earnouts), and interim governance.
Secondary Transactions
GP-led secondaries and employee liquidity events. Fairness opinions, LP transfer mechanics, and the valuation requirements of non-exit liquidity.
SPAC Transactions
An alternative IPO path. SPAC mechanics, PIPE financing, warrant liability accounting, and the complex pro-forma requirements of a de-SPAC merger.
International Considerations
Managing global complexity. Multi-currency reporting (ASC 830), cross-border transfer pricing, international tax structuring, and multi-jurisdiction cap table governance.
ESG in Private Capital
Integrating ESG into financial governance. LP reporting templates (ILPA), major frameworks (SASB, TCFD), carbon cost modeling, and ESG due diligence in M&A.
CFO Transitions
The personal dimensions of the private capital CFO role. First 90 days framework, establishing governance authority, and the financial terms of CFO departures.
Building Your Career
The skill set of distinguished CFOs, network architecture for private capital roles, and the financial career thesis from first PE role to public company.