COURSE NUMBER: MBA237.3
COURSE TITLE: Private Equity: from LBOs to Emerging Markets
UNITS OF CREDIT: 2.0
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, 4:00PM-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, growth
capital investments and 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 the founder of Inflekxion LLC, a private investment
and performance enhancement firm. Asiff
was formerly 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.