Overview
What this challenge is about.
Build an LBO model for a German industrial manufacturer and propose a capital structure. Earn a verifiable certificate.
The scenario
Mittelstand GmbH, a family-owned precision components maker with €200M revenue, 15% EBITDA margin, low leverage, and a strong customer base in automotive and aerospace. The founders are open to a sale but want to retain a minority stake.
The Brief
What you'll do, and what you'll demonstrate.
Determine whether a leveraged buyout of Mittelstand GmbH can generate target returns, and design a value creation plan to achieve them.
Earning criteria — what you'll demonstrate
- Apply LBO mechanics and model leveraged buyouts
- Conduct due diligence on a target company's financials and operations
- Design value creation strategies for portfolio companies
- Evaluate financing options and capital structure trade-offs
Program Fit
Where this fits in your program.
Sharpens the same skills your degree expects you to demonstrate.
Private Equity
Master · Finance
Strong alignment
This challenge maps to Private Equity at the Master level. It sharpens the same practical skills your coursework expects — but in a real industry context with actual constraints and deliverables.
Skills
Skills you'll demonstrate.
Each one shows up on your verified credential.
- Financial Modeling
Build and validate financial models that support strategic business decisions.
- Lbo Analysis
Apply lbo analysis to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- Due Diligence
Apply due diligence to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- Valuation
Apply valuation to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- Deal Structuring
Apply deal structuring to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
Careers
Career paths this challenge builds toward
Completing this challenge demonstrates skills that transfer directly to these roles: