The Sprott Student Investment Fund crosses $1.5 million in assets
Thirteen years since its launch, the Sprott Student Investment Fund has reached new heights and is now managing financial assets of over $1.5 million.
Launched in 2007 with a seed funding of $50,000, SSIF was created to give students first-hand investment experience, using real money to make real investments. In the spring of 2013, the fund received an additional $500,000 from Carleton University’s Board of Governors to grow its investments, and this summer, SSIF’s assets crossed the $1.5 million mark reaching a new, impressive, milestone.
“I’m very pleased with this achievement,” said Francesco Costanzo, Sprott Bachelor of Commerce student and the portfolio manager of SSIF. “I’ve got to credit my predecessors for setting the foundation to allow us to succeed, as well as our entire team, from our interns to our marketing team, for dedicating their free time to producing great work, day-in and day-out.”
Howard Nemiroff, the faculty advisor for SSIF and associate dean of undergraduate studies at the Sprott School of Business, is proud of the achievement and maintains the fund is one of the best ways for students to put theory into practice, while getting a head start in their careers.
“This is a real, live, hands-on approach,” Howard said. “It is structured just like an investment house would be structured. From the portfolio manager to the sector managers, to the research analysts, to the research associates.”
“Students are getting full hands-on experience managing money, and a significant amount at that. The opportunity to gain experience of this nature while still in school is allowing them to get a huge leg up. And, it’s allowing them to take what they’re learning in the classroom in terms of theory and see how to apply it to their job and industry.”
Building off of their recent achievement, the students managing SSIF are focused on integrating the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria more intimately into the research and analysis process.
“It is becoming increasingly important to take social considerations into account when choosing investments,” Francesco explained. “We would like to align our financial goals of returns with our civil and community goals for the long term.”