Wall Street Prep and Wharton Online Collaborate with TimesPro to Launch Online Certification Programs in India

TimesPro, India’s leading higher edtech platform, has strategically collaborated with Wall Street Prep, the world’s leading financial training provider, to launch online programs with Wharton Online. Spearheaded by Wall Street Prep, with TimesPro as its designated India partner, this endeavor represents a pioneering effort in the country. As global collaborators, Wall Street Prep and Wharton Online are providing these programs across leading economies and emerging markets. The launch of the Private Equity Certificate Program signifies the commencement of this distinctive initiative aimed at upskilling Indian professionals across various domains.

The Private Equity Certificate Program is aimed at equipping finance professionals with practical approaches to PE investment and deepening their understanding of investment strategies, valuation techniques, and deal structuring
principles. The Private Equity Certificate Program is structured as a self-paced online learning endeavor.

It is designed to prioritize the acquisition of techniques and the adoption of best practices employed by contemporary investment professionals in the assessment and execution of private transactions. The program will be conducted via a state-of-the-art interactive learning (IL) platform and delivered in direct-to-device (D2D) mode. The program has opened up enrollment for the September 2024 cohort.

The global private equity market played a pivotal role in the transformation of businesses around the world and has been valued at USD 645.2 billion in 2022. It is anticipated to exhibit significant growth through 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.45 percent.

Allied Market Research published a report projecting the global private equity market to reach $1,098.74 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 9.7 percent from 2023 to 2032. The burgeoning initial public offering (IPO) market and the surge in dealmaking activities within venture capital and growth equity sectors are additionally fueling the demand for talent across senior and execution levels. Notably, there have been as many as 437 transitions across various levels in global and domestic private equity-venture capital (PE-VC) entities in India over the past year — a notable increase from 365 transitions recorded in 2022 and marking the highest figure in five years, according to data compiled by job search firm Native. Approximately 56 percent of these recruitments were made by domestic funds, while 36 percent pertained to growth funds.

Speaking at the announcement, Matan Feldman, CEO of Wall Street Prep, said, “We are pleased to announce our collaboration with TimesPro in making the Private Equity Certificate Program available in India. The private equity ecosystem in India will continue to grow, as will the competition for qualified and skilled talent. This program equips Indian professionals with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel in the dynamic realm of private equity and provide them with access to industry insights, cutting-edge methodologies, and real-world case studies, enabling them to navigate the complexities of private transactions with confidence and expertise.”

Anish Srikrishna, CEO of TimesPro, said, “The collaboration with Wall Street Prep heralds the opening of doors to one of the world’s leading financial trainers, offering practical approaches to private equity investment previously confined within the world’s largest PE firms. By amalgamating theoretical frameworks with pragmatic implementations, these programs will furnish learners with contemporary skills to adeptly maneuver the intricacies of private equity, thereby fostering superior investment outcomes.”

“We are excited about having a more concerted effort of expanding the Private Equity Certificate Program in India,” said David Musto, faculty director of the Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. “Through this program, learners have the opportunity to build their knowledge, skills, and resume alongside existing careers.”

Learners will acquire firsthand experience by procuring invaluable insights into emerging market trends and developments from esteemed faculty members and private equity industry luminaries. Emphasis shall be placed on a plethora of topics encompassing investment analysis, evaluation of competitive dynamics, analysis of companies and industries, construction of operating models, and LBO/returns model formulation, among others. The learning will equip professionals with methods akin to those taught within the world’s foremost private equity firms, enabling them to comprehend how such firms execute deals, scrutinize companies, evaluate investment prospects, and cultivate leadership acumen within the realm of private equity.

The curriculum of the program has been meticulously designed by industry experts with extensive expertise in private equity, investment banking, and corporate finance and is open to finance professionals at all stages of their careers, including investment analysts, portfolio managers, corporate finance executives, investment bankers, private lenders, entrepreneurs, and students seeking to enhance their understanding of private equity. Learners will get a Wharton Online Digital Certificate with personalized details upon completion of the program and get access to a large and highly engaged global network of peers, comprised of program alumni. This network facilitates the honing of networking skills for each cohort through a series of in-person and virtual gatherings, discussion forums, and networking events.