Link to Application- the deadline to apply has been extended to Thursday, November 12th at 4pm.

Over the past decade, technological innovation has greatly impacted the financial services industry, and further innovation and disruption are occurring every day. We are witnessing major global changes in the realms of payments, foreign exchange, consumer and corporate borrowing, insurance, consumer financial advice, and wealth management, just to name a few. To understand these changes, we need to understand both the technological changes and the underlying economics of the financial services industry, including the role of Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital (VC) firms that are often funding and fostering such changes, and are affected by them in turn. 
                
In this course, we will study this innovation and entrepreneurship in the financial services industry in general, with a special focus on Financial Technology (FinTech), Private Equity, and Venture Capital. We will examine whether and how the creative application of technology can responsibly address market shortcomings and meet consumer needs in the realm of financial services. We will do so through a combination of cases, lectures, class discussions, and guest speakers, designed to teach students economic principles and put students in the shoes of managers and decision-makers addressing a plethora of challenges facing the industry. We will examine innovation in both products and processes in the financial services industry, and explore FinTech as a venue for the application of entrepreneurial thought and venture launch.  

Furthermore, the course (as a Master Class) has a unique component: admitted students will work in teams throughout the semester on projects with prominent New York City VC, PE, or FinTech firms.  Students will choose between one of two types of projects.  In the first, each team will be assigned to a VC or PE firm and will work on a project involving current research, deals, and/or transactions.  In the second, each team will work on their own start-up / entrepreneurial venture in the area of FinTech / Financial Services, and will work with advisors from FinTech start-ups and VC firms, who will guide students on their venture and background research.  Project deliverables are described in the syllabus. 

R.A. Farrokhnia

Executive Director

R.A. Farrokhnia, a recipient of the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence, is an Executive Director at the Dean's Office of "Advanced Projects and Applied Research in Fintech." He also teaches courses at Schools of Business and Engineering; in addition, he is a lecturer and Board Member of the Knight-Bagehot Program at Columbia Graduate School of Journalism...

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Stephen Zeldes

Frank R. Lautenberg Professor of Economics and Public Policy

Stephen P. Zeldes is the Frank R. Lautenberg Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business.  He served as chair of the school’s Finance and Economics division from 2014-17.  

In his research, Professor Zeldes has examined a wide range of applied issues in both macroeconomics and household finance, including saving...

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