About the Book

This accessible, reader-friendly text guides students through a complete "life cycle of the firm" as it introduces the theories, knowledge, and corporate finance tools and techniques an entrepreneur needs to start, build, and eventually harvest a successful venture. With a strong emphasis on sound financial management practices, the text explores important issues entrepreneurs face, including how and where to obtain financing, using business cash flow models, and positioning the early-stage company strategically. Students will also gain an understanding of how to interact effectively with financial institutions and regulatory agencies that can affect venture growth and enable liquidity for investors. Drawing on real-life entrepreneurial ventures and common financial scenarios, the authors include an in-depth capstone case, numerous mini-cases, and abundant examples to engage students’ interest and vividly illustrate key concepts such as venture capital funds, institutional investors, strategic alliances, the role of business angels, licensing agreements, and exit strategies. Trust ENTREPRENEURIAL FINANCE, Fifth Edition, to provide the skills and confidence your students need for entrepreneurial success in today’s markets.

About the Author

J. Chris Leach J. Chris Leach is professor of finance and the Robert H. and Beverly A. Deming Professor in Entrepreneurship at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He received a finance Ph.D. from Cornell University, began his teaching career at the Wharton School, and has served as a visiting professor at Carnegie Mellon, the Indian School of Business, and the Stockholm Institute for Financial Research. Dr. Leach’s teaching experience includes courses for undergraduates, MBA students, executives, and Ph.D. students. He has been recognized as Graduate Professor of the Year and has received an award for MBA Teaching Excellence. His research on a variety of topics has been published in The Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Business, and Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, among others. Dr. Leach’s business background includes various startups dating back to the 1970s. More recently, he served as chairman of a New Mexico startup and, as an investor and advisor, participated in a late 1990s Silicon Valley startup that subsequently was merged into a public company. His consulting activities include business plan advising, valuation, and deal structure for early stage and small businesses. Ronald W. Melicher Ronald W. Melicher is professor of finance and chair of the Finance Division at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He earned his undergraduate, MBA, and Ph.D. degrees from Washington University in St. Louis. At the University of Colorado, he has received several distinguished teaching awards and was designated as a university-wide President’s Teaching Scholar. Dr. Melicher also has held the William H. Baugh Distinguished Scholar faculty position, served two terms as chair of the Finance Division, served as the faculty director of the Boulder Campus MBA Program, and was the academic chair of the three-campus executive MBA program. Dr. Melicher teaches corporate finance and financial strategy in the MBA and executive MBA programs and investment banking to undergraduate students. While on sabbatical from the University of Colorado, Dr. Melicher has taught at the INSEAD Graduate School of Business in Fontainebleau, France, and at the University of Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland. He has presented expert witness testimony on the cost of capital in regulatory proceedings and has provided consulting expertise in the areas of financial management and firm valuation. Dr. Melicher has published articles in the Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, and Financial Management.

Table of Contents:
Part I: THE ENTREPRENEURIAL ENVIRONMENT. 1. Introduction to Finance for Entrepreneurs. 2. Developing the Business Idea. Part II: ORGANIZING AND OPERATING THE VENTURE. 3. Organizing and Financing a New Venture. 4. Preparing and Using Financial Statements. 5. Evaluating Operating and Financial Performance. Part III: PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE. 6. Managing Cash Flow. 7. Types and Costs of Financial Capital. 8. Securities Law Considerations When Obtaining Venture Financing. Part IV: CREATING AND RECOGNIZING VENTURE VALUE. 9. Projecting Financial Statements. 10. Valuing Early-Stage Ventures. 11. Venture Capital Valuation Methods. Part V: STRUCTURING FINANCING FOR THE GROWING VENTURE. 12. Professional Venture Capital. 13. Other Financing Alternatives. 14. Security Structures and Determining Enterprise Values. Part VI: EXIT AND TURNAROUND STRATEGIES. 15. Harvesting the Business Venture Investment. 16. Financially Troubled Ventures: Turnaround Opportunities? Part VII: CAPSTONE CASES. Case 1. Eco-Products, Inc. Case 2. Coral Systems, Inc. Case 3. Spatial Technology, Inc.