Description:

Master the Model Workshop Series: Learn the Art of Financial Modeling & Capital Raising for Startups
Financial modeling is more than just spreadsheets—it’s a critical skill that helps companies navigate uncertainty, seize opportunities, and chart a path to growth.  
  
If you're interested in building your first model, this workshop series is tailored to aspiring scientist entrepreneurs and will provide a hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of financial modeling and startup fundraising through expert-led instruction and practical case studies.  
  
Taught by Scott Walbrun of BMW iVentures, this three-part series will demystify core concepts through interactive instruction, Excel-based exercises, and guided Q&A discussions.   
  
Eligibility Requirements:  
Graduate students (PhD, MD, MBA), Post-Docs, Faculty & NU startups are encouraged to apply.  
 
Participation in all 3 workshops is required.   
  
Session Dates & Times  
Friday, May 30 | 9:00 – 10:00 AM CT (In-Person)  
Wednesday, June 4 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM CT (Virtual)  
Wednesday, June 4 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM CT (Virtual)  
Friday, June 13 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM CT (Virtual)  
  
Apply by Friday, May 16 at 3:00 PM CT. Space is limited.  
  
Session 1 
Market & Technology Risk, Firm Boundaries, and Milestones  
May 30, 2025 | 9:00-10:00 AM CT (In Person)  
In this session, you'll learn how to identify and refine the key risks that could limit your startup’s growth, define firm boundaries that align with your milestones, and map your risk profile to a strategic plan for scaling success.  
  
Session 2  
Unit Economics & Building Your First Financial Model  
June 4, 2025   
Physical Sciences | 2:00-3:00 PM CT (Virtual)   
Life Sciences | 3:00-4:00 PM CT (Virtual)  
Scott will cover how to define your startup’s core economic engine, walk through your first financial model with unit-level and non-unit cost estimates, and build a basic but powerful financial framework using a provided Excel template. There will be separate sessions for startups in the physical sciences and life sciences.  
  
Session 3  
Venture 101 – Fundraising, Round Structuring, and Financial Integration  
June 13, 2025 | 2:00-3:00 PM CT  
In this final session, you'll gain a clear understanding of how venture capital works and how startups raise funds, learn to structure funding rounds based on milestone needs, and integrate your financial model with a capital-raising timeline.  
  
  
  
  
 About the Facilitator:  
Scott Walbrun is a principal venture capital investor at BMW i Ventures, the independent venture capital fund managed on behalf of BMW Group based in Silicon Valley, where he focuses on Series A & B investments targeting the future of mobility, energy, supply chain, and AI. In this capacity, Scott has served on the board of 10 companies as a director or observer. He also serves as a mentor and workshop leader for hundreds of startups through various accelerator programs across the country.  
  
Prior to joining BMW i Ventures, Scott provided M&A and capital markets advisory as a member of Jefferies’ Technology Investment Banking team, where he supported the closing of more than $3 billion of transactions on behalf of clients including Thoma Bravo, Palantir, Monday.com, Procore, Malwarebytes, and PlushCare.    
  
Scott joined Jefferies after completing his MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. While completing his MBA, he worked at Kinzie Capital Partners evaluating private equity investments, as well as at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation supporting the commercialization of science-based and deep tech companies.  
  
Prior to business school, Scott managed Strategic Finance and FP&A at Truck Hero (a TA Associates portfolio company) and began his career in Fiat Chrysler’s Finance Leadership Development Program.