Funding And Financial Modelling

This subject is available under ICMS undergraduate degrees, please click the button below to find an undergraduate course for you.

Subject Code:

ENT301A/ENT204B

Note: Both A and B code subject versions are displayed as they are approved equivalent in content, assessments and learning outcomes. As ICMS courses are reaccredited, the subject is updated to a B-code suffix. Students studying a Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Business (Sports Management), Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), Bachelor of Business (Marketing), Bachelor of Business (International Tourism) and Bachelor of Hospitality Management will be enrolled in ENT204B in 2027. Students enrolled in all other courses at ICMS with this subject will complete ENT301A. This arrangement applies to the nested Diploma qualifications of these courses also.

Subject Rationale:

ENT301A

Many start-ups fail because aspiring entrepreneurs do not grasp the funding and financial modelling.

In order to successfully pitch to investors and Venture Capitalists (VCs), it is important to establish a strong business organisation that projects growth. To do this, it is crucial that the budding entrepreneurs can manage finances effectively by creating a financial model that allows them to make a profit and plan for growth.

The first purpose is to help budding entrepreneurs understand how to manage their finances effectively by creating a financial model that allows them to make a profit and plan for growth. Secondly, this subject looks at various methods of financing a business. From using savings to establish a business, asking for help from friends and family, crowdfunding options, grants as well as business loans, angel investors, and venture capital firms. With financing and pitching to investors and VCs, it’s important to establish a strong business organisation that projects growth.

The subject aims to help students understand the financial decision-making process largely from the point of view of the founder of an entrepreneurial venture. Students will learn to apply corporate finance tools and concepts related to modelling, valuation, control, and investment decisions within an entrepreneurial context. They will use cases with firms at different stages of their life cycles from initial angel or venture capital investments through exit decisions. Finally, students will explore new developments in entrepreneurial finance such as crowdfunding and early liquidity provisions.

ENT204B

In entrepreneurship, financial competence is a key predictor of venture success. Market trends and research consistently shows that while innovative ideas are essential, sustainable growth depends on entrepreneurs’ ability to translate vision into viable financial strategies. This subject builds these foundational competencies by integrating entrepreneurial theory, financial management, and applied modelling.

This subject takes students on a journey to sharpen their financial edge as an entrepreneur, from the tools to thrive when pitching to investors and Venture Capitalists (VCs), concept development and funding strategy design to performance analysis and exit planning. At the heart of it all is learning how to build a financial model that doesn’t just track profits but also fuels sustainable growth and inspires confidence in those holding the cheque books.

This subject goes beyond spreadsheets, teaching students how to step into the mindset of a founder making big financial calls, including modelling, estimations, evaluations, control, and investment choices that can make or break the business. Students will also learn how to use management accounting tools and data-driven insights to analyse business performance, identify growth opportunities, and make informed financial decisions.

Learning Outcomes:

ENT301A

a) Review terms such as financial forecast, revenue forecasting, expense forecasting, integrated financial model, profits and losses.
b) Design a financial forecast for a start-up.
c) Assess how to manage the financial resources associated with a business.
d) Evaluate various types of financing for a start-up.
e) Reflect on how to obtain financing and approach investors.

ENT204B

a) Explain key financial and entrepreneurial concepts relevant to start-up ventures.
b) Evaluate various sources of funding for start-ups, assessing their suitability in relation to estimated costs and business needs.
c) Prepare financial forecasts and develop integrated financial models tailored to start-up scenarios.
d) Analyse entrepreneurial performance using management accounting and data analytics techniques.
e) Effectively communicate a business plan tailored to specific stakeholders and funding contexts.

Student Assessment:

Note: (G) = Group assessment