UChicago Activist Investing
The world’s first undergraduate activist investing club
We train undergraduates to think, research, and act like activist investors.
What is activist investing?
- Activist investing is the practice of acquiring a stake in a public company believed to be worth more than its share price reflects, then pushing for changes to close that value gap.
- Activist investors advocate for changes such as a revised strategy, asset sales, cost reductions, operational improvements, capital returns to shareholders, or new leadership.
- They typically begin by privately engaging with management and the board and may escalate to public letters, board nominations, and proxy contests.
What we do
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Guest Speakers
A speaker series featuring leading investors, advisors, executives, and other professionals who have shaped some of the most notable activist campaigns. Speakers share their perspectives on investing, corporate strategy, governance, and more.
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Educational Sessions
A structured curriculum covering the foundations of investing and shareholder activism, from financial analysis and valuation to capital allocation, corporate governance, and activist strategy.
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Activist Investment Pitches
Members work in small groups to develop an activist thesis on a public company. Groups conduct fundamental research, evaluate the company’s strategy and operations, and lay out their recommendations for change, to be published each quarter.
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Recruiting Bootcamp
A preparation track for investment banking, private equity, and general finance recruiting. Sessions will include crash courses in accounting, valuation, modeling, and interview preparation, with mentorship and mock interviews from experienced members.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do we look for in applicants?
Above all, we look for a genuine interest in activist investing and a true commitment to the club. No prior experience in investing or finance is required.
How does the recruitment process work?
Each cycle has an application round followed by an interview round. The interview round is two conversations with our leadership team.
Are applications open?
Applications for Fall 2026 are closed. Fill out our interest form to hear when the next cycle opens. You can also follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for updates.