COURSE NUMBER: MBA237.3
COURSE TITLE: Private Equity: from LBOs to Emerging Markets
UNITS OF CREDIT: 2 units
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: Monday, 4:00-6:00PM
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), case write-ups 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 to target a broad audience, including both
finance and non-finance majors. Finance students interested in careers in
private equity, investment banking and investment management will find course
directly applicable to their profession. Non-finance majors interested in
management consulting, entrepreneurship, and operations will also find the
course to be very relevant.
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.