NEW YORK - Columbia Business School Executive Education is proud to announce the Venture Capital Private Equity Program for investment professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of institutional investment opportunities. The program is being launched in collaboration with Emeritus, a global leader in making high-quality education accessible and affordable.

As global private equity fundraising reached US$989 billion in 2020, the third highest in history, it opened opportunities to be explored in the venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) spaces. The two are showing synergetic evolution as new investment sectors emerge and trends develop. Investment professionals must gain a holistic understanding of both sectors to become confident executives. The Venture Capital Private Equity Program from Columbia Business School Executive Education is designed to address this imminent need for sharp-eyed investment managers.

The program curriculum encapsulates the entire VC and PE life cycles. Participants will engage with faculty, industry experts, and global peers to learn to identify investment opportunities, strategize based on market conditions, create term sheets, and develop exit strategies. The flexible format is adaptable as per participants’ career goals, allowing them to select online or in-person electives to specialize in. This immersive program situates participants at the center of the global financial hub — New York City.

Angela Lee, professor of practice at Columbia Business School, who is a reputed personality in the PE industry, notes that this program addresses the needs of aspiring investment managers. “As the industry sees growth and volatility, the PE and VC sectors will see fundamental shifts. Through the Venture Capital Private Equity Program, participants can be assured that they will leave with the requisite foundation and in-depth information to manage multiple portfolios,” says Lee.

Donna M. Hitscherich, senior lecturer in discipline in business at Columbia Business School, has had a long career in investment banking. “Market shifts are creating rapid transformations in the world of VC and PE. It is critical that professionals keen on succeeding in this industry adapt to the tectonic movements to create profitable outcomes for their clients. The Venture Capital Private Equity Program will enable the pathway toward that result,” she says.

The program comprises two core modules spanning 12 weeks and three electives of six weeks each. In addition, participants get the opportunity to take one open-enrollment elective and opt to complete it on the Columbia Business School campus or take it live online. It concludes with a three-day graduation and networking event on the School’s campus in New York City.

“The emerging investment executive has to look at multiple avenues — VC and PE being two of them — to create strong profitable portfolios. Emeritus is delighted to partner with Columbia Business School Executive Education in helping investment executives gain a firm foundation of VC and PE to enhance their career and add value to their organizations’ portfolios,” says Lisa Rohrer, head of university partnerships at Emeritus.

The nine-month program is priced at US$28,000, which includes teaching fees, all academic material, and access to online coursework. The program starts on November 30, 2021 and is open for enrollment through Emeritus. For more information on the program, visit https://online1.gsb.columbia.edu/venture-capital-private-equity.

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