Private Equity & Venture Capital — Investments and Deals: How I Stopped Guessing and Started Structuring Top-10 Fund Level Deals

Until June 2026, my knowledge of Private Equity and Venture Capital was like a patchwork quilt. I read dozens of articles about LBOs and term sheets, watched webinars, but every time it came to real negotiations or building a waterfall, I felt uncertain. My fund was just starting out, and the cost of a mistake was high: an incorrect carry structure or a missed clause in the PPM could cost millions.

Then I stumbled upon the course «Private Equity & Venture Capital — Investments and Deals» on the asibiont.com platform. And it changed everything.

Why This Course Instead of an MBA or Private Consulting?

I considered several options: an Executive MBA at London Business School (about £80,000 and 18 months), online courses from Coursera (too basic), and private consultations with former KKR partners (expensive and fragmented). The course on asibiont.com attracted me for three reasons:

1. Focus on practice. The program is built around real deal stages—from fund structure (GP/LP, carry, waterfall) to exit (IPO, M&A, secondary). This isn't theory from 2010s textbooks, but working knowledge for 2026.

2. Depth. 10 modules, each a full executive lesson. For example, the Due Diligence module contains a 200+ point checklist used by top-10 PE funds. The securities law module covers the Securities Act of 1933 (Regulation D, accredited investor), SEC Private Fund Rules, and AIFMD—things usually studied only by M&A lawyers.

3. AI personalization. I'm skeptical of 'smart' algorithms, but here it works differently. The neural network doesn't replace the teacher; it generates lessons tailored to my level. When I failed the LBO modeling test, the AI didn't just show the correct answer—it restructured the next lesson, explaining the concept using a deal I was analyzing at work.

What I Learned in 4 Weeks?

The course is divided into 10 modules, each a stage of real deal flow. Here are the key skills I gained:

1. Fund Structure and Economics (GP/LP, carry, waterfall)

Previously, I thought 'carry' was just 20% of profit. Now I understand how to build a waterfall (deal-by-deal vs. whole fund), how to calculate hurdle rate, and how to structure clawback. In the course, we analyzed a real PPM (Private Placement Memorandum) and LPA (Limited Partnership Agreement)—the actual documents LPs sign.

2. LBO Modeling in Excel

This was my 'Achilles' heel.' The AI tutor (which generates lessons, not just chat responses) built 4 LBO scenarios for me: from conservative (EBITDA growth 3%) to aggressive (12%). For the first time, I saw how changing the leverage ratio by 0.5x affects IRR. The ready-made model template—I now use it at work.

3. Term Sheets and Negotiations (NVCA template)

The Term Sheets module was an eye-opener. We dissected every clause of the NVCA template: liquidation preference (participating vs. non-participating), anti-dilution (weighted average vs. full ratchet), drag-along and tag-along rights. The AI generated a negotiation scenario with a 'capricious' founder—and I practiced my arguments.

4. Due Diligence: 200+ Points

I always thought DD was just 'checking the numbers.' The course showed it's an art. The checklist includes not only financial and legal DD, but also commercial, operational, ESG, and even cybersecurity DD. For example, I learned that when evaluating a SaaS company, you need to look not just at MRR, but also at churn rate and LTV:CAC ratio by cohort.

5. Deal Memo: From Sourcing to Exit

Capstone—a full Deal Memo. I chose a real case—a HealthTech company (data from PitchBook's Q1 2026 public report). The AI helped structure the memo: executive summary, investment thesis, financial model, risk matrix, exit hypothesis. The result—a 40-page document I later used at the Investment Committee.

How Learning Works on asibiont.com?

This isn't a school in the classic sense. No video lessons, no scheduled webinars. All learning is text-based and AI-generated. Here's how it works:

1. Diagnostics. At the start, I took a 50-question test. The AI assessed my level: 'Intermediate—knows terms but can't build models.'

2. Lesson generation. The neural network creates personalized modules. If I didn't understand the waterfall concept, it restructured the explanation, adding examples from my industry (I'm in FinTech).

3. Practice. After each block—tests and assignments. For example, build an LBO model for a Harvard Business Review case (I used 'The Buyout of TXU Corp.'—restructuring of an energy company).

4. 24/7 access. I studied late at night after work—and the AI was always 'there' in the sense of being ready to generate a new lesson. No schedules.

Who Will This Course Save a Career For?

Based on my experience and the group composition (we chatted in a common chat), the course is ideal for:

• Startup founders preparing for a Series A round who want to understand what they're signing in a term sheet. One participant—a CEO of an EdTech company—said that after the SAFE notes module, he rewrote the terms of his round.
• CFOs and financiers transitioning to PE/VC. For example, my colleague from corporate M&A learned to build waterfalls and structure fund economics.
• Angel investors wanting to systematize their approach. Previously, I invested 'by gut'—now I have a DD checklist and an investment memo template.
• Lawyers specializing in M&A—the securities law module (Securities Act 1933, SEC Private Fund Rules, AIFMD) provides practical knowledge not found in textbooks.

My Concrete Results

4 weeks after starting:

1. I built an LBO model for a potential deal in my fund. IRR—24.7% under a conservative scenario. Previously, I would have just 'trusted' the investment banker.
2. I rewrote the 'Risk Factors' section in our PPM—the AI pointed out 3 missing risks, including regulatory risk under AIFMD.
3. I conducted my first round of negotiations with an LP, using arguments from the Fundraising & LP Relations module. Result—a conditional commitment of €5 million.

Why AI Learning Is Not Hype, But a Necessity?

I've studied in three formats: university (MGIMO), corporate training, and online courses. Nowhere was there such adaptability. The AI on asibiont.com doesn't just provide information—it builds a trajectory. If I failed a due diligence topic, the neural network doesn't move on but goes deeper. It's like having a personal tutor who knows your weak spots and never tires of explaining.

Key difference: the AI generates lessons for a specific student. My colleague, who came from an investment banking background, received more advanced materials on fund structuring, while I got more on financial modeling. One course—different content.

Conclusion: Is It Worth It?

If you're serious about working in Private Equity or Venture Capital, the course «Private Equity & Venture Capital — Investments and Deals» on asibiont.com is arguably the best investment of time and money in 2026. It doesn't give a certificate (and honestly, knowledge is more important than a piece of paper), but it gives tools you can apply tomorrow morning.

I stopped guessing. I started structuring.

Ready to do the same? Start learning on asibiont.com today.