Favourite sayings -- Introduction--playing the game -- Starting a business -- The entrepreneur--have you got what it takes? -- The market--how to analyse it -- The competitive advantage--why will your business win? -- The initial financial analysis -- Taking over an existing business -- The venture capital spectrum -- How the game is played -- Seed and start-up capital -- Expansion capital -- Funding for management buy-outs -- Raising the money--what entrepreneurs must do -- How to write a business plan -- Choosing the appropriate structure -- Preparing a business plan--market analysis and market strategy -- Preparing a business plan--the financial analysis -- Preparing a business plan--organisational and operational issues -- Choosing a venture capitalist -- Negotiations with venture capitalists -- Investing the money--what investors must do -- Screening criteria and due diligence -- Valuation -- Structuring the deal -- Post-investment activities -- Exit mechanisms -- Managing a venture capital fund -- Fund formation and structures -- How to run a venture capital fund -- Portfolio management -- Pro-forma cash flow projection, income statements and balance sheets -- Sample spreadsheet for investment monitoring.