COURSE NUMBER: MBA237.3A
COURSE TITLE: Private Equity: from LBOs to Emerging
Markets
UNITS OF CREDIT: 1 unit
INSTRUCTORS: Asiff Hirji and Theodore Kuh
E-MAIL ADDRESSES: asiff.hirji@gmail.com; theodore.kuh@gmail.com
CLASS WEB PAGE LOCATION: http://bspace.berkeley.edu
MEETING DAY(S)/TIME: Mondays 4:00-6:00PM during Fall A: 8/20,
8/27, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8
PREREQUISITE(S): MBA203 and basic Excel skills
CLASS FORMAT: Combination of lectures, cases, interactive
discussion and guest speakers
REQUIRED READINGS: Articles and cases
BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE: Group project presentations (oral
and written) and class participation
ABSTRACT OF COURSE'S CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:
The course will focus on how the private equity industry
attempts to create value for its investors through careful selection of its
investments, financial structuring and effecting operational improvements. What are the investment
attributes that make for an attractive investment? How are potential
investments valued? What are the key
value levers? A key part of the course
will be focused on the LBO transaction, the largest category of private equity
transactions. In addition, transactions in
international markets, including emerging markets will be reviewed. The course will also cover the evolution of
the industry and the current issues faced by the industry.
Students will learn how to evaluate investment
opportunities from a private equity perspective. Students will make a simulated presentation
to an investment committee on a prospective acquisition of a company - reviewing
the investment thesis, valuation, financing, business plan, potential returns
and exit considerations.
The course is designed for a broad audience, including
students interested in exploring a career in private equity, as well as those
interested in careers in investment banking, and management consulting. The course will also be relevant to those in
investment management and applicable to entrepreneurs and operating managers
who may partner with a private equity firm.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Asiff Hirji
is a Partner with TPG Capital with a specialization in Financial Services,
Technology and E-Commerce. Prior to TPG,
Asiff was President of TD AMERITRADE and was
previously a Partner at Bain & Company.
He received his MBA from The University of Western Ontario and his
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science at The University of Calgary.
Theodore Kuh was formerly Managing Director and Global Head of Citigroup's Retail Industry sector. He spent 24 years in investment banking, including 10 years in London and Hong Kong advising corporations and private equity firms on M&A and equity transactions. He received his MBA from The Wharton School and his BS from The Haas School at the University of California, Berkeley.