Gate 8: Financials for Entrepreneurs
Gate Overview
Financials for Entrepreneurs empowers early-stage founders to master the language of startup finance and use it as a strategic tool to build, pitch, and fund their ventures. Through three interconnected keys — building a financial model, crafting an effective pitch deck, and executing a milestone-based fundraising strategy — this gate transforms abstract financial concepts into practical, growth-oriented action. Whether you're forecasting your first revenue, designing your story for investors, or navigating the fundraising pipeline, Gate 8 equips you with the mindset, tools, and confidence to manage your venture’s financial journey with clarity and purpose.
Gate Structure
The Gate is divided into several Keys ( Themes), each focusing on a specific aspect of entrepreneurship. Each Key includes readings, discussions, practical assignments, and business-related deliverables.
Themes you will cover
To achieve this, you’ll explore the following three essential keys:
Key 1 : The Financial Model of Your Startup
Key 2 : Pitch Decks Design
Key 3 : Fundraising: Executing Your Venture’s Fundraising Plan
What you will get from the Gate
By the end of this gate, learners will be able to:
Design a startup financial model based on assumptions, not historical data, including revenue projections, cost structures, staffing, and cash flow forecasting.
Differentiate between startup and corporate finance, understanding how uncertainty, milestones, and growth narratives shape startup financial planning.
Build a compelling 5-year financial roadmap that supports investor conversations and internal decision-making.
Develop and structure an effective pitch deck, using narrative frameworks and emotional arcs to clearly communicate the problem, solution, market opportunity, and traction.
Adapt pitch content and delivery for different audiences, including investors, accelerators, grant panels, and early partners.
Understand the types of startup funding (grants, loans, equity, SAFEs, etc.) and when each is most appropriate based on stage and strategic goals.
Plan a milestone-based fundraising strategy, linking business and technical goals to funding needs and investor expectations.
Build and manage a fundraising pipeline, tracking investor outreach, optimising conversion rates, and prioritising based on fit.
Create investor-ready materials, including an executive summary, an asynchronous deck, and a milestone timeline aligned with valuation logic.
Approach fundraising with the right mindset, treating it as a structured, ongoing process built on trust, clarity, and strategic storytelling.y.
By the time you reach Gate 8, your venture has already taken shape—from identifying your idea and customer to designing your product, building a business model, and preparing to scale. This gate adds the financial backbone your venture needs to succeed. You’ll no longer just have a great idea—you’ll have a growing venture that understands its numbers. You’ll know how to calculate your costs, forecast your revenue, evaluate financial risks, and confidently discuss how your venture can become a sustainable business. With financial literacy now part of your toolkit, you're ready to explore funding options
Delivery System
Concept Notes
Applications Exercises of each Theme
Videos Explaining Each Concept by Experts and Entrepreneurs
Webinars to discuss the themes with students
Thematic Interactive Discussion with the Learners
Peer Evaluation
Mentorship Session
Virtual Class
Assessments
Your New Venture After this Gate
Certificate and Badges
You are awarded a certificate upon completion of the gates. You’ll also receive badges upon completing an application related to a specific skill set.
What is Required of You
The Gate is divided into several sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of entrepreneurship. Each module includes readings, discussions, practical assignments, and assessments.
Delivery Platform
The Gate is delivered through our online platform, Entreprenerds Space. Delegates can access the platform online or via their mobile app, allowing them to participate in the programme on the go, even offline.
How we support you
We will provide support throughout your learning experience. Your learning Success manager will be available to support you if you have any questions or need any help. You can also schedule one session with a mentor to discuss entrepreneurship questions related to this gate.