Launched in September 2009 by a group of MBA students, the University of Michigan Social Venture Fund (SvF) invests in and supports innovative companies that place social impact at the heart of their business model. SvF fosters the growth of enterprises responding to societal needs that traditional markets have insufficiently addressed. As the first student-run social venture fund in the country, SvF provides an unparalleled action-based learning experience, which places equal importance on maximizing financial returns and socially/environmentally-driven venture investing and entrepreneurship. The fund is housed within the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Ross School of Business.
Investment Philosophy
The Social Venture Fund focuses exclusively on for-profit enterprises that are committed to positive and measurable social or environmental impact. In evaluating potential investments, we employ rigorous social and financial valuation metrics to ensure that companies have the potential to provide a strong blended social and financial return. Read more here.
Investment Circles
SVF invests in US-based businesses working in the areas of Education, Food Systems & Environment, Health, and Urban Revitalization. The Urban Revitalization sector is particularly interested in business plans from the Southeast Michigan/Detroit area. To learn more about each circle, or to see if your enterprise aligns with our investment areas, please click one of the following:
Values of the Fund
Social Venture Fund members:
· Are mentors and coaches
· Create and value a flat organization
· Have fun building a connected, warm community
· Prioritize diversity and inclusion in everything we do
· Own the fund’s success and commit ourselves to improving its success
· Are intellectually curious, seeking chances to learn and help others grow, and enjoy an intellectually rigorous environment
· Support each other’s growth with feedback and respect
· Support a psychologically safe environment and ensure the fund is a safe place to fail where SVF-ers admit when they are wrong or don’t know the answer
· Are positive and resilient
· Are Entrepreneurial, outside-of-the-box thinkers
History and Founding of the Fund
The Social Venture Fund has published a case about it’s founding and philosophy. For more information or to purchase the case, please see the link here for the WDI publishing website