This course is intended for students interested in learning more about creating and building private equity and venture backed companies, either directly as a principal or as an advisor. The course will take a practical and interactive approach on how venture capital and private equity companies are formed and scale, focusing on three main stages of development: (1) Formation; (2) Growth; and (3) Exit. Among the topics that will be covered are company formation (including term sheets and financing documents), scaling through M&A and organic growth, and liquidity events (IPO and sale). The course will have guest speakers, utilize case studies, and employ a project-based approach. If you want to learn more about the private equity process, this course is for you. The course is open to Stanford Law and GSB students. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, and questions for, and engagement with, guest speakers. Students will be expected to have completed the readings assigned for each course and be prepared to apply them to the class discussions. This class is limited to LAW 30 students, with an effort made to have students from SLS (LAW 25 students by lottery) and five GSB students by consent of the instructor. Special Instructions: Students on the waitlist for the course will be admitted if spots are available on the basis of priority and degree program. GSB students may submit a Stanford Non-Law Student Course Add Request Form available at https://law.stanford.edu/education/courses/non-law-students/ to request consent to enroll. Class meets first six weeks of the quarter.
2 units · Law Mandatory P/R/F
This course is intended for students interested in learning more about creating and building private equity and venture backed companies, either directly as a principal or as an advisor. The course will take a practical and interactive approach on how venture capital and private equity companies are formed and scale, focusing on three main stages of development: (1) Formation; (2) Growth; and (3) Exit. Among the topics that will be covered are company formation (including term sheets and financing documents), scaling through M&A and organic growth, and liquidity events (IPO and sale). The course will have guest speakers, utilize case studies, and employ a project-based approach. If you want to learn more about the private equity process, this course is for you. The course is open to Stanford Law and GSB students. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, and questions for, and engagement with, guest speakers. Students will be expected to have completed the readings assigned for each course and be prepared to apply them to the class discussions. This class is limited to 30 students, with an effort made to have students from SLS (25 students by lottery) and five GSB students by consent of the instructor. Special Instructions: Students on the waitlist for the course will be admitted if spots are available on the basis of priority and degree program. GSB students may submit a Stanford Non-Law Student Course Add Request Form available at https://law.stanford.edu/education/courses/non-law-students/ to request consent to enroll. Class meets first six weeks of the quarter.
Offered in Autumn 2025 at Stanford University.