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Empowering the Next Generation of Private Market Leaders
Launched through the generosity of longtime Drexel supporter and former trustee Manuel “Manny” Stamatakis, the Manuel Stamatakis Center for Alternative Investments is a new initiative housed in LeBow’s Department of Finance. The Center is designed to prepare students for careers in venture capital, private equity, private credit and other areas of the alternative investment space.
Through experiential learning, research partnerships and engagement with industry professionals, students will gain advanced knowledge and practical experience in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy.
Alternative investments are reshaping the capital markets of the 21st century. I am happy that this Center will ensure Drexel students are learning alongside the people who shape these markets from faculty experts to seasoned professionals actively deploying capital. The future of finance is private, data-driven and globally interconnected. Students who understand the alternative-investment economy will shape that future—not merely observe it. For universities committed to excellence and leadership, building rigorous programs in alternative investments is not a luxury; it is a strategic imperative.
Why Alternative Investments Matter
Global alternative investments now now exceed $22 trillion and are projected to surpass $30 trillion by 2030, representing a market increasingly accessible to individual investors. As private markets grow, so does the need for professionals who understand their structure, risk and return profiles.
The Center prepares students to navigate this evolving landscape with real-world experience, academic rigor and industry insight.
Experiential Learning Meets Market Innovation
Leveraging Drexel’s signature experiential learning model, the Manuel Stamatakis Center for Alternative Investments will:
- Develop a cutting-edge simulation game that mirrors the workings of alternative investment markets
- Foster research collaborations between LeBow faculty and industry practitioners
- Host symposia, forums and conferences featuring prominent academic and industry leaders
- Organize career panels and mentorship opportunities for students pursuing jobs in the alternatives space
As the Center grows, it will expand its activities to include collaboration with the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association and the formation of a student club focused on alternative and venture investing.
Leadership
Dean Emeritus and George B. Francis Professor of Finance George Tsetsekos, PhD, will serve as the Center’s inaugural Executive Director and oversee key initiatives.
