The Investments course comprises an intensive overview of active fundamental investing in both the public and private equity markets. It is relevant for students who intend to pursue careers in private or public equity investing, as well as those who want to better understand investing from the perspective of an entrepreneur, senior executive or individual. The vast majority of sessions will feature outstanding investor guest lecturers. Previous guests included Andreas Halvorsen (Viking Global), Jim Coulter (TPG), Hadley Mullen (TSG Consumer Partners), Tim Bliss (Investment Group of Santa Barbara), Munib Islam (Third Point), Sarah Friar (Square and Nextdoor), and Charles Phillips (Recognize), and this year's lineup will be substantially similar. Established and taught for FINANCE 50 years by the legendary Professor Jack McDonald, the Investments course will be taught by Erik Ragatz `FINANCE 01, former Partner and FINANCE 20+ year member of the investment team of Hellman & Friedman, and Professor Steve Grenadier in Autumn 2025. The course enables students to learn a broad investing skillset-from establishing an investment philosophy to underwriting and pricing investment risk to driving value creation in companies-and study the careers of outstanding investors. Throughout the quarter, students delve into specific topics in private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, mutual funds and principal investing. Case discussions and lecture discussions will be led by the teaching team and investors/principals who were involved.
3 units · GSB Letter Graded
The Investments course comprises an intensive overview of active fundamental investing in both the public and private equity markets. It is relevant for students who intend to pursue careers in private or public equity investing, as well as those who want to better understand investing from the perspective of an entrepreneur, senior executive or individual. The vast majority of sessions will feature outstanding investor guest lecturers. Previous guests included Andreas Halvorsen (Viking Global), Jim Coulter (TPG), Hadley Mullen (TSG Consumer Partners), Tim Bliss (Investment Group of Santa Barbara), Munib Islam (Third Point), Sarah Friar (Square and Nextdoor), and Charles Phillips (Recognize), and this year's lineup will be substantially similar. Established and taught for 50 years by the legendary Professor Jack McDonald, the Investments course will be taught by Erik Ragatz `01, former Partner and 20+ year member of the investment team of Hellman & Friedman, and Professor Steve Grenadier in Autumn 2025. The course enables students to learn a broad investing skillset-from establishing an investment philosophy to underwriting and pricing investment risk to driving value creation in companies-and study the careers of outstanding investors. Throughout the quarter, students delve into specific topics in private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, mutual funds and principal investing. Case discussions and lecture discussions will be led by the teaching team and investors/principals who were involved.
Offered in Autumn 2025 at Stanford University.