Students

AFCP8142 – Private Capital

2025 – Term 4, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Marc Bohmann
marc.bohmann@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MAppFin or GradDipAppFin
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit covers the overall structure and dynamics of contemporary private capital covering both portfolio firm level and fund level considerations. Key issues of assessing, valuing, contracting, monitoring and exiting private equity and venture capital investments are dealt with at a practitioner level of detail. This unit covers a spectrum of private capital investments, from early stage and venture (seed and start-up) to late stage (management and buy-outs), together with managing private capital funded businesses. Consideration is also given to fund creation and management.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Examine recent developments in the private capital maket and explain the key issues of assessing, valuing, contracting, monitoring and exiting private equity investments.
  • ULO2: Research and critically appraise a range of private equity investments and approaches.
  • ULO3: Describe the full lifecycle of a private capital transaction and apply private equity investment considerations to ‘real world’ situations.

General Assessment Information

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). For example, for an assessment worth 30%, you receive a mark of 20/30 but your submission is late for 20 hours. With the late submission penalty applied, you will get a mark of18.5/30 (20-5%*30%). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to apply for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Professional Development: Private Capital Case analysis 30% No 23/11/2025
Skills Development: Deal Information Memorandum 30% No 30/11/2025
Formal and Observed Learning: Final Examination 40% No During Exam Period

Professional Development: Private Capital Case analysis

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 23/11/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to gain experience and expertise in a dedicated venture capital case study.

You will construct an integrated valuation analysis that gives you a thorough understanding of how venture capital operates and the capital structure in VC transactions is affected in multiple scenarios.

Skills in focus: - Critical Thinking - Digital Skills - Communication

Deliverable: Written report [max 3,000 words] and short answers Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Research and critically appraise a range of private equity investments and approaches.
  • Describe the full lifecycle of a private capital transaction and apply private equity investment considerations to ‘real world’ situations.

Skills Development: Deal Information Memorandum

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 30/11/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to gain experience and expertise in developing a professional Information Memorandum (IM) for a private capital or venture capital transaction.

You will construct the IM step by step across nine weeks, using public information where possible, to build a comprehensive investor-ready document. This process will give you a thorough understanding of how private capital and venture capital deals are structured, valued, and presented to potential investors.

Skills in focus: - Critical Thinking - Digital Skills - Communication - Discipline Knowledge - Work Readiness

Deliverable: Individual assessment – weekly submissions (PDF/PPT, presentation slide style), culminating in a complete Information Memorandum (approx. 30-40 slides). Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Examine recent developments in the private capital maket and explain the key issues of assessing, valuing, contracting, monitoring and exiting private equity investments.

Formal and Observed Learning: Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: During Exam Period
Weighting: 40%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate the expertise you have gained in this unit.

You will participate in a 2-hour exam held during the University Examination period. Important information about the exam will be made available on the unit iLearn page. You should also review the MQ Exams website for general tips: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/exams

Deliverable: Formal exam (2hrs) Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Examine recent developments in the private capital maket and explain the key issues of assessing, valuing, contracting, monitoring and exiting private equity investments.
  • Research and critically appraise a range of private equity investments and approaches.
  • Describe the full lifecycle of a private capital transaction and apply private equity investment considerations to ‘real world’ situations.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Online delivery

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2025.05 of the Handbook