Alumni Investment Fund

[ziptrader]

A friend of mine I went to the u of A with has informed me of a coming Alumni fund. I think this is real exciting for the U of A as this fund will be investing in companies coming out of the U of A. They are also launching a student business contest in August that will conclude in May of 2009. He mentioned the winning idea would get 10-25k of start up money and a 500 scholarship. It is about time someone stepped up and did something like this. I wonder if the U of A will be invested in this fund. I know he mentioned it will be closed only to accredited investors (meaning you have to be rich to be in it). Exciting times at the U of A!!!!

[Zipsrifle]

A friend of mine I went to the u of A with has informed me of a coming Alumni fund. I think this is real exciting for the U of A as this fund will be investing in companies coming out of the U of A. They are also launching a student business contest in August that will conclude in May of 2009. He mentioned the winning idea would get 10-25k of start up money and a 500 scholarship. It is about time someone stepped up and did something like this. I wonder if the U of A will be invested in this fund. I know he mentioned it will be closed only to accredited investors (meaning you have to be rich to be in it). Exciting times at the U of A!!!!

GOOD because I'm NOT rich and everything I touch seems to lose value!

[ZachTheZip]

It seems like this should have been done a long time ago. UA is slowly catching up to the "bigger" universities in terms of alumni involvement and services.

[zen]

Interesting plan too. If you can encourage more entrepreneurialism among current and future alumni, you increase the odds that it will return to you manifold in future donations back to the University.

[ziptrader]

I totally agree. His firm, Davian Capital Advisors, is working with the University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) to develop this fund. I have offered to help out with the student contest and I will keep you all posted. It is sad that it has taken the U of A this long to get this type of fund associated. You are totally right that most larger Universities and especially Ivy leagues all have their own Private equity, Venture Capital, and Hedge Funds they invest part of their endowment in. This does promote students and alumni to start of companies and benefits the whole area. Look at facebook. That kid was bank rolled by Harvard. I will keep the boards posted on the developments. I am meet with Anthony who runs the fund tomorrow. I will have more information then.

[Zips Win!]

UA is slowly catching up to the "bigger" universities in terms of alumni involvement and services.

I'll believe this when I see it..

[zen]

I totally agree. His firm, Davian Capital Advisors, is working with the University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) to develop this fund. I have offered to help out with the student contest and I will keep you all posted. It is sad that it has taken the U of A this long to get this type of fund associated. You are totally right that most larger Universities and especially Ivy leagues all have their own Private equity, Venture Capital, and Hedge Funds they invest part of their endowment in. This does promote students and alumni to start of companies and benefits the whole area. Look at facebook. That kid was bank rolled by Harvard. I will keep the boards posted on the developments. I am meet with Anthony who runs the fund tomorrow. I will have more information then.

How about some funding for an entrepreneurial/investment information resource (and networking) center for students and alumni?Yes, funding is hard to come by, but if you believe in yourself enough, you can get loans and backers.Good information is harder to come by.When I went to organize a business several years ago, I was looking for a good place to get advice and information.I'm not a graduate of the business college, okay? So, the closest I could find was the akron sbdc (small business development center). The best I could get was 2 people to respond to my emails, and one phone call. I got no sense that anyone really cared about someone in Akron trying to startup a business... just a feeling of "Great, you don't know everything? Why should I help you (fail)?" heh.I think that some people in various fields or with various talents, no matter how intelligent they may be, don't have exposure to the realm of business and finance. They may have some great ideas, but they have no clue what to expect in the business law, tax, and finance world. Should someone really have to go for a 4 year degree from the college of business to become an entrepreneur? This is probably very true for any student with some degree not related to business/finance who wants to take his education and talents straight to market, skipping the employee/corporate world

[ziptrader]

The fund will address this issue as Anthony, his team, and the investors are going to provide start ups help. This will be accomplished by having his investors take on active roles within the companies they are looking into or investing in. His firm will also work hands on with these companies as well.You can believe what you want about the direction of this fund and or the University. If he tells me they are doing this I will promise you they are. He is a hard charging fund manager and takes no prisoners. Keep your eyes on the paper as the release of the student business contest will be here soon. Believe what you like.