Evaluation and Due Diligence of early-stage technology companies

What is it?

The due diligence and evaluation  module focuses on some of the situations faced by business angels  investing in seed capital and how to  evaluate projects and perform due diligence. The course will include subjects such as determinants for value, due diligence processes, interpersonal relationships. It will focus on practical implications, some  cases studies are included in the program. The training will be completed by a participation to a start-up pitching session.

Why should you attend?

This intensive master class focuses on best practices and operational aspects. The limited group size allow participants to raise questions and discuss issues with peers and specialists It also provide a unique networking opportunity with peers from all over Switzerland. It will be part of a full Business Angel day.

Who should attend?

New business angels  who evaluate projects  or are about to invest in early-stage companies.

Speakers in Lausanne 22.5.2012

Balz Roth

Diego Braguglia

Claude Florin

Speakers in Zurich 5.9.2012                  Download TEASER and AGENDA for Zurich here.

Dr. Peter Pfister, StartAngels Network

Balz Roth, GoBeyond

Jan Fülscher, BAS

Claude Florin

JP Vuilleumier

Workshop Content

• The process
  • Timeline  and milestones
  • Investments criteria
  • SWOT and strategic analysis
  • Due diligence
  • Contract, term sheet
• The importance of people/team
  • Characteristics of the “Entrepreneurs versus Executives”
  • What is a good success team for a successful start-up?
  • How to evaluate the skills of a team?
  • How to build, reinforce and manage the team
  • Current organisation (professional managers / unseasoned young entrepreneurs
  • Policy of recruiting
  • Key persons to be secured
  • Motivation system, money remuneration, stock options
  • The relationship between BA and entrepreneurs
• Evaluation of the market opportunity (problem)
  •  The content of the business plan and its role
  • Analysis of risk factors as  markets, technology and competition
  • Ability to compare companies and business cases
• Evaluation of the product and technology (solution)
  • Various forms of intellectual property
  • How to protect it and manage it
  • Assessing IPR within the context of due diligence
  • Valuating IPR - piracy/erosion/dilution
  • IP costs
  • IPR in trade sale, IPR in floating exit
• The due diligence process
  • Development of a standard due diligence
  • The role of a lead investor
  • The role of the check list
  • Typical mistakes
• Valuation of companies
  • How to use a spreadsheets excel with valuation formulas
  • How to use the finance raised
  • Financial tools available: convertible actions, options, loans
  • Clauses of the term sheet which influence the valuation (sep class on termsheet)
  • Valuation at time of exit and valorisation of the investment