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On campus program
Venture Asset Management

Build solid foundational knowledge on the risks and opportunities of investing in venture assets

On campus program

Venture Asset Management

Build solid foundational knowledge on the risks and opportunities of investing in venture assets

Location

On campus

Length
4 days
Fee
CHF 7,900
Next program starts
08 May 2025
Gaining confidence to make smart investment decisions in the venture capital market

Venture assets is an increasingly popular asset class, thanks to its ability to generate attractive returns and to foster innovations. Yet investing in venture assets remains a mystery for many investors. IMD’s Venture Asset Management program is designed to equip you with the tools to understand the risks and opportunities of investing in venture assets.

This program is designed to build solid foundational knowledge of the venture capital industry and to develop a cross-sectoral community for peer exchanges.

Gain venture capital finance literacy

Get an overview of the European venture capital market and explore the dynamics of venture assets.

Deep dive into the methods

Understand financial valuation methods to evaluate start-ups and their implications for investors.

Tackle risk assessment and portfolio diversification

Understand how risks of venture assets compare to other asset classes and how to construct well-diversified portfolios.

Manage sustainable portfolios

Learn what it takes to invest in venture assets and how to identify investment opportunities.

Join a growing community

Become part of a peer network of practitioners and leaders in this space.

You and your class

The program is ideal for finance professionals who are looking to gain a deeper understanding of venture investing and venture asset management; including pension fund managers, business lawyers, family office representatives, wealth and portfolio managers of banks, investment managers of insurance companies or large corporates, private angel investors.

Typical participants profiles include Swiss and European industry and finance representatives:

  • Pension funds
  • Business lawyers
  • Family offices
  • Private investors
  • Wealth managers / Relationship managers / Portfolio managers
  • CIO (banking)
  • Investment managers (insurance)
  • Asset Managers as well as External Asset Managers
  • Investment Managers (large corporates)

 

Benefit from a complimentary profile assessment to see if this is the right program for you.

What our participants say
Marc Davies, participant, IMD's Venture Asset Management program
Marc Davies

CEO and Managing Partner, Key Family Partners SA, Switzerland

An excellent program that covers a lot in two days. The speakers and practitioners were great. I really enjoyed the experience and the people I met. I’ve already recommended it to a colleague.

Guillaume Hingel, participant, IMD's Venture Asset Management program
Guillaume Hingel

Financial Innovation Lead, World Economic Forum, Switzerland

A fantastic line-up from start to finish! I very much enjoyed the program and the engaging combination of expert insights, peer exchange, and actionable frameworks.

Jean Chatelle, participant of IMD's Venture Asset Management program
Jeanne Chatelle

Business & Ecosystems Development Manager, Nestlé Purina Petcare, Switzerland

This program changed my perspective. Understanding the various stakeholders’ objectives and interests is very helpful for interacting with venture capitalists.

Felix Haas

Global Strategy Manager, M&A-Lead, iptiQ by Swiss Re, Switzerland

The program, speakers and participants were all great. I’m glad I was able to be part of it.

Pierre Morneau

General Manager, Takeda, Switzerland

The program was outstanding and the quality of the speakers was very high. I learned a lot and went away with great energy.

Jim Pulcrano - venture asset management

Entrepreneurs move society forward.  Without them, it stagnates. We need entrepreneurs to do big, bold things that help solve the world’s problems. And we need the VCs who support them financially. VCs’ access to capital typically comes from people and organizations that don’t understand the world of venturing, or what drives entrepreneurs.  Helping these organizations is the goal of this research project and the programs it spawns.

Read more

Jim Pulcrano Program Director
MichelDemare

There is enough innovation and creativity in Switzerland and Europe to compete with other countries in terms of quality of start-ups. Where we lag behind is in the area of funding capabilities. European risk capital is scarcer, there is less risk taking, and we hope through this project to promote venture capital as a new asset class in Europe.

Michel Demaré Chairman of IMD’s Foundation and Supervisory boards and start-up investor
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Discover the program 

 

“Winning, making money is a better alternative than just protecting against losses.” Hear from our Program Director, Jim Pulcrano, and past participants about their learning experience.

Kelly Carroll “It provided a very broad spectrum of topics and thought provoking material for me to become a better investor in the future.”
Martin Iffert “It is one of the few outstanding programs in the world.”
Simon Rolland “The Venture Asset Management program at IMD is eye opening.”

Benefit from cutting-edge research and practical know-how

Through a combination of theoretical foundations and practical know-how from professionals in the field, you will develop the necessary skills to make smart investment decisions.

You will gain insights from the most recent research developed within IMD’s Venture Asset Management Initiative – enriched by the practical experience of our partners and guest speakers from the industry.

This program provides plenty opportunities to network with other investors and industry professionals, creating valuable connections in different sectors.

Theoretical foundations and methods
Insights from researchers and practitioners
Practical takeaways
Rich network of committed practitioners
Topics covered (examples)
Venture Capital Markets – A European Perspective

Blend of theory, practical know-how, guest speakers and case studies.

 Example of topics covered:
• Industry and market dynamics in Switzerland and Europe
• Funding gaps in the Swiss start-up ecosystem

Investing in Venture Assets

Blend of theory, practical know-how, guest speakers and case studies.

Example of topics covered:
• Financial valuation methods
• Risk assessment
• Performance benchmarking with other asset classes

Managing Sustainable Portfolios

Blend of theory, practical know-how, guest speakers and case studies.

Example of topics covered:
• Portfolio construction and diversification
• ESG aspects of portfolio management

Benefit from faculty expertise and research

Karl Schmedders is Professor of Finance. His research and teaching focuses on sustainability and the economics of climate change. He is therefore able to provide key insights on the transition risk arising from the shift to a greener economy and help companies face up to the challenges of potential asset degradation and increasing carbon prices.

He says finance and economics offer many tools to combat climate change, and that the power of incentives and markets can be employed to make progress. In addition, businesses and consumers need to take a leading role in the search for solutions to the climate crisis and not just wait for governments and policymakers to introduce climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.

Jim Pulcrano and Karl Schmedders’s publications
Next start & fee

Length: 2 days on campus.

Dates
8 May – 11 May 2025
Location
Lausanne
Length
4 days
Price
CHF 7,900
Dates
25 Sep – 28 Sep 2025
Location
Lausanne
Length
4 days
Price
CHF 7,900

Tuition, teaching materials, and lunch are included.
All fees quoted are exclusive of any value-added or other indirect taxes that may be due in any country.
IMD reserves the right to modify the program dates, location, and fee at any time.

One step closer to joining IMD alumni network

Successful completion of this program takes you one step closer to joining IMD’s powerful alumni network.

130k+ alumni

Networking

250+ events per year

Communities

50+ clubs worldwide

Resources