Fundamental Long-Only Investing at Carnegie Mellon University

Logo for Tartan Student Tech Fund featuring a black Scottish terrier with a red tartan scarf and the text 'Tartan Student Tech Fund' in black and green.

The Tartan Student Fund (TSF) is Carnegie Mellon University’s leading undergraduate long-only investment fund, seeded with a portion of the University’s endowment. We actively manage capital and meet weekly during the Fall and Spring semesters.

At a Glance

We Manage:

$175,000+

In Assets

Across:

7

Sectors

Spread Across:

20

Companies

What TSF Does

Long-Only Value Investing

Modern white multi-story building with large windows and vertical structural elements under a clear blue sky.

TSF employs a bottoms-up approach to sourcing investments. We aim to identify mispricings and invest in high-conviction long-only positions within various sectors of the U.S. public equity markets. Employing thorough research and fundamental analysis, we carefully choose investments with the aims of achieving favorable risk-adjusted returns and generating alpha.

Our sector teams of research analysts, led by a portfolio manager and associate portfolio manager, leverage their expertise to:

  • Evaluate short- and medium-term company and industry trends.

  • Assess the long-term dynamics and business models of industries.

  • Determine the valuations of targeted companies to quantify investment catalysts.

TSF actively recruits and selects the most talented students at Carnegie Mellon through a highly competitive admissions process designed to test investment acumen and holistic fit within the club.

Our investment process targets maximum capital appreciation in line with reasonable risk.

Our Teams

We distribute responsibility for identifying and determining investments broadly within each of our 7 sector teams. Our Fund is built upon a culture of accountability, mentorship, and collaboration.

The Portfolio Manager selects the companies to build pitches for, from the investment ideas that they or their analysts generate. They are responsible for leading, developing, and mentoring their teams, as well as actively managing their designated portfolio.

The Associate Portfolio Manager conducts investment research and is responsible for delegating tasks to the Analysts. This is typically a transitory role on one’s ascent toward becoming a Portfolio Manager.

Analysts conduct broad industry - and company - centric research to support the investment thesis. Successful and dedicated analysts have an opportunity to become portfolio managers.

We invest in great ideas - but great ideas don’t invent themselves. We empower our members to identify opportunities, challenge consensus and build expertise.

Our Sectors

  • Colorful jackets hanging on a rack in a clothing store with a yellow, orange, and blue background.

    Consumer

  • Financial stock market graph showing global map with rising trend lines.

    Macro-Driven

  • Close-up of a telecommunications tower with various antennas and equipment, set against a foggy sky. In the background, there is another similar tower visible at a distance.

    TMT

  • Close-up of a brightly lit Ferris wheel structure at night with orange and yellow lights, showing intricate metal beams and supports.

    Industrials

  • A pipette dispensing a pink liquid into a well plate with many small clear wells.

    Healthcare

  • A low-angle view of tall modern glass office buildings against a cloudy sky.

    Financials

  • Offshore wind turbines in the ocean with a boat in the distance, under a clear blue sky.

    Energy