Tech Finance Fundamentals: Investing in Tomorrow
Master the essentials of tech investment and financial analysis with a hands-on project, from analyzing market trends to pitching a startup.
Alice Ballard-Rossiter
Open Avenues Foundation
Wednesdays, 6:00 P.M. ET / 3:00 P.M. PT
8 weeks, 2-3 hours per weekDescription
The rapidly evolving tech industry presents unique challenges and opportunities for investors. With technology firms increasingly dominating financial markets, understanding how to evaluate and invest in these companies is crucial. In this Build Project, you'll step into the role of a Financial Analyst. Under the guidance of the project leader, you will analyze a tech company's financial performance and market position, then pitch a new startup for investment. You'll gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and methodologies like Excel for financial modeling and market analysis. This project simulates the fast-paced environment of a real venture capital firm, offering a valuable glimpse into the world of tech finance.
Application timeline
What you will learn
- Analyze financial statements to assess a technology company's health and potential.
- Conduct market research to understand the competitive landscape and market trends within a tech sub-sector.
- Utilize Excel for financial modeling and valuation of tech companies.
- Develop and deliver a compelling investment pitch for a promising technology startup.
Project workshops
Prerequisites
- Experience with market research and economic analysis, such as completing 1�2 college-level economics or accounting courses or pursuing a business degree.
- Understanding of financial statements and accounting, including how the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement relate, and the distinction between COGS and operating expenses.
- Introductory knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint.
- Strong interest in the technology sector, entrepreneurship, and financial markets.
Apply Now!
Ready to start this exciting project? Submit your application today and begin your journey with Build!
About the Fellow
Alice Ballard-Rossiter
Open Avenues Foundation
Visit Alice's LinkedInAlice Ballard Rossiter is a Finance Fellow at Open Avenues and the Director of Business Strategy and Growth for Wincast, an early-stage start-up that builds software for the world’s biggest sports leagues, advertisers and video game companies. Alice grew up in England and became fascinated by how finance, innovation and new technologies dominated current affairs. After studying engineering, business and entrepreneurship at Stanford, she has worked at top global firms across investment banking, hedge funds, and venture capital, specializing in the technology sector. As an Investment Banker, Alice worked directly with fortune 500 public companies and fast-growing start-ups on everything from mergers and acquisitions to strategic advisory. In Hedge Funds, Alice learned how to analyze the stock market, launching investment portfolios and analyzing technology and media stocks such as Spotify, EA Sports, Disney, Salesforce and Microsoft. As a venture capitalist, Alice worked with top silicon valley entrepreneurs and start-ups disrupting the tech industry. Wanting to build something exciting of her own, Alice joined Wincast, an early-stage sports tech start-up that works with sports leagues (e.g. NBA, UEFA , F1 Racing), live sports advertisers (e.g. Heineken, Nike), videogame developers and blockchain ecosystems.