Key Takeaways
- • Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business will host its fourth annual Collegiate Alternative Investment Summit on March 30-31, 2016, attracting hundreds of students and industry professionals to discuss hedge funds, private equity, real assets, and venture capital.
- • The two-day event features more than a dozen speakers from major institutional players, including Ryan Cotton (Managing Director, Bain Capital), Gary Bergstrom (Founder, Acadian Asset Management), and James Goodman (President, Gemini Investors), providing direct exposure to decision-makers in the alternatives space.
- • Summit organizers report the event has catalyzed curriculum development, inspiring creation of a new course in hedge funds, real assets, and private equity at the business school, signaling institutional recognition of alternatives' mainstream adoption in institutional portfolios.
- • The summit structure bridges academic and professional environments through dual programming: a Friday evening alumni panel (6-9 p.m.) focused on career pathways into alternatives, followed by Saturday talks and discussions (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) covering venture capital, real estate investing, and related disciplines.
- • Registration fee is $30 for the two-day event, positioning it as an accessible networking and education opportunity for business students seeking entry into the growing alternatives sector.
Summary
Northeastern University's student-led Collegiate Alternative Investment Summit is entering its fourth year as an established platform connecting emerging talent with established practitioners in hedge funds, private equity, and real assets. Organized by students within the D'Amore-McKim School of Business, the conference will be held March 30-31, 2016, and has evolved into a significant draw for both students and industry professionals seeking to exchange perspectives on the alternatives asset class.
Summit co-presidents Rohan Venkatesh and Jake Fulton (both DMSB'16) emphasize the strategic relevance of alternatives education across business disciplines. Venkatesh noted that "alternatives are a growing asset class around the world and have ties to whatever any business student is studying," while Fulton observed that "alternative investments are becoming more and more popular within portfolios and have been making their way into the mainstream." This positioning reflects market realities: alternatives have transitioned from specialized institutional strategies to core portfolio components for diversified investors.
The event's success has catalyzed academic program development. Since its 2013 inception, the summit has inspired the creation of a dedicated course in hedge funds, real assets, and private equity at the business school, demonstrating how student-initiated programming can influence institutional curriculum. The conference explicitly aims to bridge the gap between classroom theory and professional practice.
The 2016 summit's speaker roster includes senior figures from major alternatives platforms: Ryan Cotton (Managing Director, Bain Capital), Gary Bergstrom (Founder, Acadian Asset Management), and James Goodman (President, Gemini Investors). Friday's session (6-9 p.m. at the Alumni Center) will feature a panel of four D'Amore-McKim alumni working in alternatives, focused on industry entry strategies and career trajectories. Saturday's program (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) comprises multiple talks and panels spanning venture capital, real estate investment, and other alternatives disciplines. The $30 registration fee provides access to both days of programming.
Summit co-presidents Rohan Venkatesh and Jake Fulton (both DMSB'16) emphasize the strategic relevance of alternatives education across business disciplines. Venkatesh noted that "alternatives are a growing asset class around the world and have ties to whatever any business student is studying," while Fulton observed that "alternative investments are becoming more and more popular within portfolios and have been making their way into the mainstream." This positioning reflects market realities: alternatives have transitioned from specialized institutional strategies to core portfolio components for diversified investors.
The event's success has catalyzed academic program development. Since its 2013 inception, the summit has inspired the creation of a dedicated course in hedge funds, real assets, and private equity at the business school, demonstrating how student-initiated programming can influence institutional curriculum. The conference explicitly aims to bridge the gap between classroom theory and professional practice.
The 2016 summit's speaker roster includes senior figures from major alternatives platforms: Ryan Cotton (Managing Director, Bain Capital), Gary Bergstrom (Founder, Acadian Asset Management), and James Goodman (President, Gemini Investors). Friday's session (6-9 p.m. at the Alumni Center) will feature a panel of four D'Amore-McKim alumni working in alternatives, focused on industry entry strategies and career trajectories. Saturday's program (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) comprises multiple talks and panels spanning venture capital, real estate investment, and other alternatives disciplines. The $30 registration fee provides access to both days of programming.
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