Description
Participant Application Form
This programme is for University of Leeds staff who are, or might
become, directors or non-executive directors of University spin out
companies or companies that are in some way connected to University
business. The programme is funded by SDDU and is free of charge to
University of Leeds employees. Employees of University spin-out
companies and other organisations are welcome to participate in the
programme; please contact us about the price.
The programme is not open to anyone setting up their own personal or
private business or consultancy that is unconnected to their University
work or to University business.
Being a successful company director or non-executive director requires a
range of knowledge and skills which can be very different from those
needed to be a successful academic. Academic ‘entrepreneurs’ must, for
example, be able to understand the legal and operational
responsibilities attaching to the role of a company director and to
understand and interpret financial information. They must know how to
value their business and raise finance for its start-up and growth. If
the business is to employ staff a knowledge of the many and complex
employment issues is essential, as is a practical understanding of
marketing and strategy development for business growth and exit planning
for its continuation or sale.
Participant feedback on the programme has been consistently excellent,
demonstrating that it represents a good investment of time and leads to
increased knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities
of company directors and of the aspects involved in setting up and
running a company.
Participants can elect to take as many of the courses as they wish but
Courses 1 and 2 (in that order) are prerequisites for taking some of the
remaining courses, as they provide essential underpinning knowledge
about the role. Participants may also choose to take courses from one
programme only or can switch between programmes to suit their timetables
and needs. 14 places are available on each course.
Course 3 Buying & Selling Companies and Raising Finance
(09:00 -14:00)
This course is for University of Leeds staff who wish
(a) to start a new enterprise or acquire additional funds to secure
future growth, (b) to establish how others regard the value of their
company and to understand the valuation proces, (c) to sell their
company or (d) to acquireothers. It will help participants (a) to gain
an insight into thevarious methods of valuing a company (their own and
those of third parties), (b) to understand the rationale and market
changes that affect the worth of a business and how certain issues,
including market share, profit and key assets (both tangible and
intangible), affect value, and (c) to understand the requirements of
funders at different stages and how to present themselves in the most
favourable manner to secure the most equitable and suitable deal. By
the end participants will understand:
• What funders are looking for in a business proposal: the look,
the return, the Covenants
• What funding is available; from whom - venture capital, banks,
asset finance, business angels, grants, joint ventures; and how to make
the approach
• What the 'legals' will entail; how long it will all take; what it
will cost and how much you have to give up
• The various methods of valuation; exceptions to the norm; the
impact of goodwill and intellectual property; market changes; and
dangers of incorrect valuation.
Participation in Courses 1 and 2 is a prerequisite for this course.
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