Student Investment Fund
Managing more than $1.5 million in assets through disciplined, research-driven investing.
The Investment Management Academy manages a diversified long-only equity portfolio on behalf of the University of Illinois Foundation. The fund serves as a real-world laboratory where students apply classroom knowledge while making investment decisions involving real capital.
Investment Philosophy
The Academy follows a disciplined investment process focused on identifying high-quality small-cap companies with attractive long-term growth potential.
Students combine:
- Fundamental company analysis
- Financial modeling
- Valuation techniques
- Industry research
- Portfolio construction
to make informed investment recommendations and manage portfolio risk.
How the Fund Operates
Every investment follows a structured process designed to mirror professional investment firms.
- Research: Students identify potential investment opportunities through industry and company analysis.
- Model: Teams develop financial models and valuation analyses.
- Present: Investment ideas are presented and defended before the Academy's investment committee.
- Invest: Approved recommendations are executed within the portfolio.
- Monitor: Students continuously evaluate company performance and portfolio positioning.
Student Leadership
Each industry sector is managed by a Portfolio Manager supported by Senior and Junior Analysts. Together, students:
- Research investment opportunities
- Build valuation models
- Monitor holdings
- Present investment recommendations
- Evaluate portfolio performance
The portfolio is benchmarked against the S&P SmallCap 600 Index.
Performance
The IMA portfolio has outperformed the S&P SmallCap 600 benchmark year-to-date. Despite early volatility in the first quarter, the portfolio demonstrated strong resilience and recovery beginning in April, maintaining a steady upward trajectory through the remainder of the period. As of 10/6/2025.
Current Holdings
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Portfolio information is provided for educational purposes.
