Structure, Funding and Negotiation For Startups

About this course

Building a startup takes more than a great idea. You need to understand how to protect it, fund it, and negotiate for it. This course gives you the practical legal and financial knowledge every early-stage founder needs — without the jargon. Across eight modules, you'll explore the full landscape of startup structure and finance. You'll learn how to access non-dilutive funding through Australian government grants and the R&D Tax Incentive, and how to protect your ideas through patents, trademarks, and copyrights. The Corporate Governance module gives you the frameworks to build a resilient, accountable organisation from the ground up. From there, you'll move into funding strategy — mapping the investor marketplace from bootstrapping and crowdfunding through to angel investors and venture capital. You'll learn what investors look for during due diligence, how to determine and communicate your startup's valuation, and how to negotiate term sheets with clarity and confidence. Expert practitioners guide you through each topic, bringing real-world experience in law, finance, and investment. You'll engage with video lessons, comprehension quizzes, interactive dialogue exercises, and hands-on pre-work activities that connect every concept to your own venture. This course is designed for early-stage founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and business professionals looking to strengthen their knowledge of startup law, funding, and investment. A general interest in business is helpful; no formal legal or financial background is required. The course is based on Australian regulation yet remains relevant to founders globally.