The fund will provide students with supervised, hands-on experience in investment research, portfolio construction, risk management and governance.
ATHERTON, Calif. — Menlo College’s Board of Trustees has approved the launch of a Student-Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), a real-money investment program designed to connect classroom learning with practical experience in financial markets. Planned to launch in January 2027, the program will give students enrolled in the College’s Investment Fund course a structured opportunity to study investment decisions and portfolio oversight under faculty supervision.
The SMIF will operate as a separately managed component of Menlo College’s investable assets. Students will develop investment proposals, conduct fundamental analysis, deliberate and vote on investment decisions through a defined process, and contribute to an annual performance report. The program is designed to provide students with firsthand experience in investment decision-making while emphasizing responsible stewardship, accountability, and sound governance.
Menlo alumni Martin Fiala ’26 and Marc Hegele ’26 will serve as members of the SMIF Founders Circle, recognizing their contributions to the conception and design of the Fund.
The initiative builds on Menlo College’s commitment to applied financial education, including student participation in the Bloomberg Trading Challenge. Menlo teams have earned top-three finishes in North America in recent years, including a seventh-place global finish among more than 2,000 teams.
“We are excited to offer students a meaningful opportunity to connect classroom learning with careful, real-world investment analysis. The program is designed to put student learning first, with faculty supervision and institutional safeguards supporting every step,” said Finance Professor Manish Tewari, who will serve as the SMIF Faculty Advisor.
Through the Student-Managed Investment Fund, Menlo College continues to expand opportunities for students to apply their academic knowledge, develop professional skills, and gain experience that prepares them for careers in finance and investment management.
About Menlo College
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College is a small, residential liberal arts and business college dedicated to preparing students to be Future Ready Now. Through a highly personalized educational experience that combines rigorous academics, applied learning, mentorship, and direct access to one of the world’s most innovative economies, Menlo College helps students convert education into measurable career and life outcomes. For more information, please visit our website or contact pr@menlo.edu.
