Centers & Initiatives

When you contribute to teaching and learning experiences, you advance the school’s mission by supporting faculty in the development of research and curriculum, as well as by engaging students and alumni.

Current research initiatives examine topics that include corporate governance, entrepreneurship, value chain innovation, data and analytics, and technology, platforms, and markets.

Stanford Venture Studio

The Stanford Venture Studio, a part of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, is a program for graduate student teams exploring new venture ideas. It connects students to entrepreneurial expertise, resources, and a community of like-minded peers and alumni.

Through a range of highly targeted programs and resources, including co-working space, 1:1 advising, and a suite of tools and services, the Stanford Venture Studio supports students at all stages of their venture — from early brainstorming through early launch and fundraising. The program is open to graduate students from all disciplines and from any Stanford school.

CSI Innovation Fund

Gifts to CSI help signal the importance of social innovation to the school’s community and help fund growth in areas such as new course development, research and teaching, student programs, and alumni programs.

Gift amount: $10,000

Social Management Immersion Fund

The SMIF supports MBA students who seek solutions to social and environmental issues either independently or by securing internships with nonprofits, government agencies, and social-purpose businesses. Many social benefit organizations have summer employment opportunities for graduate students, yet find it difficult to fund MBA-level salaries. Fellowship stipends approximate students’ median summer salaries in the private sector. Since its inception, SMIF has funded more than 800 fellows working with over 450 organizations around the world.

Gift amount: $10,000

Stanford GSB Impact Fund

The Stanford GSB Impact Fund exposes students to impact investing — the intentional investing for both financial and measurable social and environmental returns. Your gift will enable students to manage an investment fund with faculty oversight, under the guidance of the Center for Social Innovation. Alumni and expert practitioners provide strategic guidance on co-investing, sourcing, structuring deals, measuring impact, portfolio allocation, and exits. The student-managed fund will make investments across multiple sectors in early-stage for-profit social purpose ventures. Financial returns are invested back into the learning experience.