The Application Process

The Cougar Venture Fund is a venture capital fund that has been created to give Bauer MBA students the opportunity to gain hands on experience in evaluating and investing in early stage technology companies. The Fund is run in conjunction with the Venture Fund, class GENB 7397. This class is a great opportunity for students interested in entrepreneurship or private equity finance to make valuable contacts and see how deals are done — likewise, for any student to see the process of turning technology into businesses.

Students taking GENB 7397 will conduct deal evaluation, due diligence, and portfolio tracking for the Cougar Venture Fund. As part of the coursework, students will see investment presentations from early stage technology companies and analyze/recommend prospective investments. As part of the evaluation process, they will meet members of the management team, learn about the company’s technology, and review the term sheet.

The class is a 3-credit hybrid that will meet once a week throughout the Fall semester to teach students how to evaluate a start-up company. Students will work outside class to conduct research and due diligence on possible investments.

Admission to the class is by application and approval of instructor. The application process consists of a personal written statement and resume, followed by interviews. The Fund encourages students with diverse backgrounds to apply, including those with technical, financial, science, legal, or start-up experience.

Additional details regarding the application process will be posted in early 2014, when we begin recruiting for the new Venture Fund class.