Michigan Ross stands out as a business school in part for its numerous action-based learning experiences. There are seven student-led investment funds at the University of Michigan, where students source real deals, make real investment decisions, and manage real capital while still in school.

On the season 10 finale of Business Beyond Usual, our hosts sit down with 5 MBA students who are each exploring venture capital (VC) at Ross. The guests delve into what makes each of their funds unique, sharing investment theses which often focus on both financial viability and social impact. They demystify the application process, explain how the funds are structured, and take us through the investment process — from sourcing deals, to conducting due diligence, to making the final decision.

Students pursuing VC at Ross acquire a wide variety of hard and soft skills, such as financial modeling, dealing with ambiguity, and learning how to take a bet on a team of people rather than on the product or technology alone.

Student Led Venture Funds Featured in the Episode

Michigan Climate Venture (MCV)

Wolverine Venture Fund (WVF)

Michigan Social Venture Fund (SVF)

International Investment Fund (IIF)

Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund (ZLCF)

• Hosts: Aishwarya Raja and Oghoghosa Igbineweka
• Guests: Arsh Anand, Prithu Verma, Sunny Huang, Taku Muravu, and Ivy Lee
• Executive Producers: Aishwarya Raja and Oghoghosa Igbineweka
• Studio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are around 60+ student organizations at Ross, spanning professional clubs, affinity groups, and social and sports clubs. On this episode of Business Beyond Usual, hosts Aishwarya Raja and Sylvia Percovich sit down with 4 deeply involved Ross students to discuss finding community outside of the classroom.

Topics covered include navigating the club fair as first years, deepening impact and involvement as second years, and, through it all, making it to Skeeps on Thursdays. Our guests take us inside the affinity groups, covering the Black Business Student Association (BBSA), Africa Business Club (ABC), Consortium, Latin American Business Students Association (LABSA), Brazilian Business Student Association (BRASA), Indian Subcontinent Business Association (ISBA), Michigan Business Women (MBW), MoMBAs, and more. The panel then looks forward to some favorite Ross events on the horizon, from Latin Vibes to the Follies Roast/Toast.

Our guests leave listeners with valuable advice: be open, show up, and get involved!

A list of all Michigan Ross clubs and organizations can be found here.

• Hosts: Aishwarya Raja and Sylvia Percovich
• Guests: Colleen Heaney, Elie Mutomb, Marina Balassanian, and Alyssa Daum
• Executive Producer: Aishwarya Raja
• Studio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Business Beyond Usual, hosts Oghoghosa Igbineweka and Jasmin Lopez sit down with three full-time Michigan Ross students to talk about what it’s like to call Ann Arbor home while pursuing an MBA. Our guests talk about living in a walkable community where the student body informs the whole town’s culture. They share their day-to-day routines, tips for setting boundaries so as to make the most of their time, and some of their favorite Ann Arbor spots like Dozer Coffee, Slurping Turtle, and York.

Our guests leave listeners with their invaluable advice: come to Ross with an open mind; do what scares you; and lean into the community.

Mentioned in Episode:

Africa Business Club

Black Business Student Association

Michigan Marketing Club

Peridot

Sanger Leadership Crisis Challenge

• Hosts: Oghoghosa Igbineweka and Jasmin Lopez
• Guests: Amidat Sonekan, Kameron Akbarzadeh, and Eva Ogudu
• Executive Producers: Oghoghosa Igbineweka and Jasmin Lopez
• Studio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.