Fundamentals of Private Equity: Financing, Investing, and Value Creation

This DIXONTECH course delivers a complete understanding of the private equity (PE) ecosystem, covering the key stages of deal sourcing, valuation, structuring, and post-investment value creation. Participants will explore how private equity firms raise capital, assess investments, and generate returns for stakeholders. The course emphasizes financial modeling, due diligence, and exit strategies, equipping professionals with practical tools used in top-tier investment firms.

TRAINING TOPICS

• Private Equity Landscape and Investment Cycle
• Fundraising, Structuring, and Capital Deployment
• Valuation and Financial Modelling in PE Deals
• Value Creation Strategies and Performance Management
• Exit Strategies, Returns, and Portfolio Optimization

By the end of this training course, delegates will be able to:

• Understand the private equity investment process and fund structures
• Evaluate investment opportunities through financial analysis
• Apply valuation and deal modeling techniques
• Identify key drivers of post-investment value creation
• Structure deals and manage portfolio company performance
• Assess exit strategies and calculate investor returns
• Interpret the PE industry’s regulatory and ethical frameworks

TRAINING IS TAILORED TO:

• Finance and investment professionals
• Analysts and associates in investment firms
• Corporate finance and M&A specialists
• Bankers and financial advisors
• Fund managers and portfolio managers
• Entrepreneurs seeking capital and growth insights
• Professionals exploring careers in private equity

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

This training blends expert instruction, case analysis, and interactive modeling exercises. Participants will evaluate real-world PE transactions, analyze fund performance, and build investment models to simulate valuation, leverage, and return scenarios.

DAY 1

INTRODUCTION TO PRIVATE EQUITY AND INVESTMENT CYCLES

• Overview of private equity and alternative investments
• Private equity vs. venture capital and hedge funds
• Key participants in the private equity ecosystem
• The PE investment lifecycle: fundraising to exit
• Sources of capital and investor categories (LPs, GPs)
• Market trends and global growth of private equity
• Case study: structure of a private equity fund

DAY 2

FUNDRAISING, STRUCTURING, AND CAPITAL DEPLOYMENT

• Fund formation, limited partnership agreements (LPAs)
• Capital commitments, drawdowns, and management fees
• Roles and responsibilities of GPs and LPs
• Investment mandate and portfolio construction
• Legal and regulatory considerations in PE
• Due diligence and target identification
• Workshop: structuring a PE fund and deal pipeline

DAY 3

VALUATION AND FINANCIAL MODELLING IN PRIVATE EQUITY

• Overview of valuation methodologies (DCF, comparables, precedent)
• Enterprise value vs. equity value calculation
• Leverage and LBO (Leveraged Buyout) fundamentals
• Building an investment model for acquisition analysis
• Sensitivity and scenario analysis in deal modeling
• Assessing return metrics: IRR, MOIC, and cash-on-cash
• Practical exercise: constructing an LBO model

DAY 4

VALUE CREATION AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

• Key drivers of operational value creation
• Strategic, financial, and governance improvements
• Performance measurement and monitoring KPIs
• Working with management teams and boards
• Role of digital transformation and ESG in PE value creation
• Turnaround and restructuring strategies
• Case study: post-acquisition value creation plan

DAY 5

EXIT STRATEGIES, RETURNS, AND INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

• Exit mechanisms: IPOs, secondary sales, trade exits, and recapitalization
• Calculating realized and unrealized returns
• Performance benchmarking against market indices
• Risk management and portfolio diversification
• Future trends in private equity and alternative investments
• Ethics, transparency, and responsible investing
• Capstone project: designing a full private equity deal lifecycle