HPI ENGINE: Decoding Venture Capital

​​Figure out who's on the other side of the table ♟️

​​A 4-week short program by HPI Engine

​​You've heard of VCs. You've seen the headlines.

​​But how does venture capital actually work and what happens behind closed doors when investors decide whether to back a startup?

​​This program gives you the investor's perspective. Over 3 live sessions and async work, you'll learn how VC funds are structured, how deals get sourced and screened, and what metrics investors actually care about. Then you'll put it all into practice with a Harvard Business simulation.

​​What you learn

​​🏗️ Session 1: What is Venture Capital?

​​GP/LP structures, fund economics, the investment process end-to-end, funding stages, and roles within a fund.

📊 Session 2: Key Metrics & Financials

​​Reading pitch books, financial modelling, cap tables, term sheets, deal memos, and exit strategies.

​​🎮 Session 3: Harvard Business Simulation

​​A hands-on async simulation where you negotiate real startup funding scenarios.

​​🔍 Session 4: Sourcing & Screening

​​Data-driven deal sourcing, tools of the trade, pitching your fund to founders, and running your first founder call.

​​What you get

​​✅ Certificate of Completion from the Hasso Plattner Institut

​​📬 Weekly curated VC job newsletter

​​🎓 Harvard Business simulation experience

​​☕ For the winning team only: 1-on-1 coffee chat with an active VC investor

​​Format

• ​​Duration: 4 weeks

• ​​When: from May 6th to May 27th

• ​​Where: 3 × 2 hours at HPI

• ​​Who it's for: enrolled students (all universities welcome)

​​Why This Program?

​​Whether you want to work in VC, raise funding for your own startup, or simply understand how the money side of tech works, this program gives you the frameworks, vocabulary, and hands-on experience to hold your own on either side of the table.