Research performed by members of the IFEE covers a range of topics such as human capital in startups, crowdfunding, as well as endowment management at universities. This research has appeared in top tier academic journals such as Management Science, Organization Science, and Science. Research insights are diffused widely to practitioners and policy makers and have been covered by media such as the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and der Spiegel.

Institute for Endowment Management and Entrepreneurial Finance
The IFEE at ESMT Berlin integrates activities at the intersection of the fields of entrepreneurship and finance in a unique way. These activities span research, teaching, as well as interactions with practitioners. The IFEE is led by the POK Pühringer PS Chair for Entrepreneurship and also encompasses a visiting professorship in Finance and Endowment Management position.
Areas of focus
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Research
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Teaching
IFEE faculty offer courses and seminars in entrepreneurship, finance, as well as endowment management. Members of the IFEE are leading the Portfolio Management Program (PMP) at ESMT, which gives students the unique opportunity to build knowledge and skills in asset management and finance. The PMP has dedicated space at ESMT’s entrepreneurial Campus in Berlin Schöneberg, where students have access to professional tools such as Bloomberg terminals as well as collaboration spaces.
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Practice
The IFEE initiates and co-sponsors a range of activities that connect research and practice such as conferences and workshops. In addition, the IFEE closely interacts with SpaceShack, a public co-working space at ESMT’s campus in Berlin Schöneberg. SpaceShack gives ESMT students access to resources to develop their entrepreneurial ideas and stimulates IFEE research activities.
By integrating research, teaching, and practice in the areas of entrepreneurship and finance, IFEE pursues ESMT’s mission to create and impart new knowledge to advance business and society, and to develop entrepreneurial leaders.
Visiting professorship
IFEE Visiting Professorship in Finance and Endowment Management
(Berlin, Germany and Vitznau, Switzerland)
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Summer 2018: Michael Weber
Associate Professor of Finance and Cohen and Keenoy Faculty Scholar, Booth School of Business, The University of Chicago
Michael Weber joined Chicago Booth in 2014 as an assistant professor of finance and was promoted to associate professor in 2018. He is also a faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research in the Monetary Economics and Asset Pricing groups, a member of the Macro Finance Society, and a research affiliate at the CESifo Research Network. His research interests include asset pricing, macroeconomics, international finance, and household finance. His work on downside risk in currency markets and other asset classes earned the 2013 AQR Insight Award. He has published in leading economics and finance journals such as the American Economic Review, the Review of Economic Studies, and the Journal of Financial Economics.
Programs & initiatives
Portfolio Management Program (PMP)
An optional two-year elective, during the MIM program, wherein selected students actively manage a real-money portfolio - 1 million euros per group with a total portfolio value of 3 million euros. The concept of the PMP enables participants to combine theory and practice to develop real trading strategies on the open market. PMP students learn how to cope with the positive and negative dynamics of active investing and how to develop their own strategies in global markets.
SpaceShack
In cooperation with ESMT Berlin, the P & K Pühringer Gemeinnützige Stiftung is fostering startups with new co-working offices in Berlin-Schöneberg. The 3500-square-meter space is provided by the Pühringer Group. The company, which is run by two ESMT full-time MBA alumni with a third managing director, provides an inspiring working environment for entrepreneurs.
Additionally, ESMT students, who are starting their own businesses, can apply for free co-working space at Space Shack through ESMT. There is also a free working space available for use by ESMT staff, students, and alumni.
Events
Upcoming events
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August 17-18 (Postponed. New date not yet clear.)
3rd Conference on Entrepreneurial Financial Management -
May 7-8, 2020 (Postponed. New date not yet clear.)
2nd Open Innovation in Science (OIS) Research Conference 2020
Past events
- July 9, 2020
Digital Future Summit with Vali Berlin - February 27, 2020
ESMT's 1st Elevator Pitch Event - May 02-03, 2019
Open Innovation in Science (OIS) Research Workshop - September 5–7, 2018
2018 EPIP (European Policy for Intellectual Property) Conference - June 14-15, 2018
2nd Conference on Entrepreneurial Financial Management on The evolution of capital markets and entrepreneurship