Microcredentials 3 ECTS
Short learning experiences for the job mark

Microcredentials certify the learning outcomes of a short, voluntary educational experience, such as attending seminars and workshops, participating in field activities, completing a short course or training, and more. They offer a flexible and targeted way to help individuals develop knowledge, skills, and competencies for their personal and professional growth.

Each microcredential, upon completion of a project work evaluated by the academic supervisor, awards 3 ECTS credits (to be included in your study plan under “other activities” by selecting Block A: 6 ECTS internship + 3 ECTS microcredentials) and an Open Badge.

Why to choose microcredentials

  • because they allow you to acquire, update, and improve the knowledge, skills, and competencies you need to thrive in an evolving labor market and society, enabling you to fully benefit from a socially equitable recovery and just transitions to an eco-friendly and digital economy. This will better prepare you to face both current and future challenges
  • because they improve the quality, transparency, and flexibility of the learning offer, allowing you to shape and personalize your learning path
  • to promote inclusivity, access, and equal opportunities, and contribute to resilience, social equity, and prosperity for all, in a context of demographic changes and throughout all stages of economic cycles
  • because they provide a wealth of useful experiences in both academic and professional settings

Eligible participants and access requirements

If you are enrolled in one of the following Master’s degree programs:

  • Accounting and Finance [EMR4]
  • Global Accounting and Finance [EMR16]
  • Innovation and Management for Culture and Creativity [EMR17]
  • International Management [EMR18]
  • Management and Sustainability [ EMR60]
  • Marketing Management [EMR7]
  • Tourism Management and Sustainability [EMR9]

You may participate in one of the available microcredentials. Each microcredential consists of 4–6 sessions (equivalent to 15 academic hours). Sessions will be held in blended mode (in-person and/or online). The class schedule will be communicated to participants via email.

Registration and attendance are mandatory.
To participate, you must register online.
The microcredential will be activated if a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 30 participants is reached.
You may cancel your registration up until the closing date using the same link used to register.

Microcredentials offered by the Venice School of Management
Academic year 2026/2027

Contacts:
Venice School of Management - Educational Programmes Unit
didattica.management@unive.it

The schedule of microcredential activities will be published on this page.

Foto da Freepik.
About

The microcredential "Venture Capital and Finance of Innovation" offers an in-depth perspective on the critical role of venture capital in the investment ecosystem for startups and technological innovation. Through a mix of theory, real-world case studies, and practical simulations, the program guides participants through the fundamental principles of venture capital investments in early-stage and late-stage technology companies. This course is designed for individuals seeking to understand the financial and strategic dynamics behind investments in innovative projects, equipping them with the necessary skills in order to operate effectively in the arena of alternative and venture capital investments.

Affiliated professors

The course instructor will be Dr. Roberto Zanco from Kairos Partners SGR.

Goals

General objectives of the course are:

  • To provide students with an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms behind the creation and development of starting up a business, with a particular focus on financial support from the venture capital ecosystem.
  • To analyze venture capital activities from the perspective of financial intermediaries, focusing on scouting, investment (deal-making), portfolio management, and exit strategies.
  • To delve into regulatory, legal, and tax issues related to venture capital and private equity, with practical examples and real case studies.
  • To examine the skills required to operate effectively in the venture capital sector, including target company evaluation, investment management, and exit processes; and how these skills are evolving over time.

The added value of this project can be identified as:

  • The combination of theory and practice: students will apply acquired knowledge to real cases, developing essential operational skills for the venture capital sector.
  • The interdisciplinary perspective: by integrating knowledge in finance, economics, and law, the program prepares participants to understand and address the complexities of the sector.
  • Access to industry experts: direct interaction with professionals operating in the venture capital and risk capital markets, providing an up-to-date and informed perspective on market trends.
Who can participate

The course is open to 30 students enrolled in one of the Master’s degrees of the Venice School of Management.

Language

English

Activities

The workshop consists of 15 hours of lectures delivered in a blended format (online and/or in person) and will take place during the 4th term (April–May 2027) of the 2026/2027 academic year.

  1. Venture Capital in the Financial System Introduction to the role of venture capital in the economy
    • Market trends analysis in Europe and the United States
  2. Investment Models in Private Equity and Venture Capital 
    Private investment in risk capital (private equity, venture capital, private debt)
    • Angel investing, incubators and accelerators, closed-end funds, corporate venture capital, venture debt
    • Recommended reading: Metrick & Yasuda, Venture Capital and the Finance of Innovation
  3. Regulatory and Legal Issues 
    • Regulation and supervision of venture capital investments
    • Legal and tax aspects of investment schemes, term sheets, and binding legal documentation
  4. Managing a Venture Capital Fund 
    • Introduction to investment categories: startups, innovative SMEs, scale-ups
    • Deal flow and evaluation of target companies
    • Case discussion: “Village Ventures” (from Josh Lerner’s casebook)
  5. Investment Management 
    Deal making, funding process, and portfolio management
    • Exit strategies, valuation, and divestment
    • Case discussion: “Pear Venture Capital” (HBS 9-822-097)
  6. Practical Application Contest 
    • Presentation of a real-world challenge related to venture capital investments
    • Students will evaluate real investment cases, develop a final investment decision, and present it to the class, integrating all knowledge acquired during the course

These activities provide students with a comprehensive overview of the dynamics of venture capital, preparing them to face the challenges and seize the opportunities of this rapidly evolving sector.

Registration

To participate, you must register by completing the online form.
Applications will remain open until March 19, 2027. You may cancel your registration up until the closing date using the same link.
Once registration closes, participants will receive confirmation of the course activation along with the lecture schedule.

Microcredentials offered by the University

The Competency Labs (3 ECTS) organized by the Ca’ Foscari Competency Center (CFCC) are also recognized as microcredential activities.
Students participating in the Competency Labs must notify both the Lab coordinators and the Venice School of Management Educational Programmes Unit (didattica.management@unive.it) to ensure the correct registration of the 3 ECTS as a microcredential.