The Burridge Center Hosts Demonstration Panel on Funding Innovation
In November, the Burridge Center for Finance hosted a demonstration panel to share different career pathways in finance with Leed students. The panel focused on Funding Innovation, where speakers discussed the impact of private capital markets on scaling start-up businesses and innovation spaces.
“Private markets are so rarely discussed amongst students as a career option,” said Cat Pham, chapter founder of Girls into VC and current finance student Leeds.
“The most valuable thing that experiential events provide for students is exposure to careers we never hear about.”
Said Pham, Fin‘26
The panel provided examples of the breadth of career opportunities in this dynamic area of finance and the need for people with varied skill sets, strengths, personalities, and perspectives. By bringing together a robust group of eight panelists from across venture capital, private equity, and private credit, the speakers shared insights on early stage funding for start-ups all the way through exit.
Exploring Career Paths in Finance
Jeremy Held, managing director at Bow River Capital and Leeds alum, joined the event as a featured speaker giving an overview of private capital markets. He shared that, “Private companies are increasingly becoming the source of growth and innovation in the U.S. economy, creating massive opportunities for both investors and entrepreneurs.” Held believes universities are a critical part of that ecosystem acting as “the glue that connects new ideas and innovation to industry and investment partners that bring ideas to life.”
Held appreciates the work done by the Burridge Center to host events like the career pathways panel because these opportunities help students discover and explore different options for their career they might not have otherwise. He adds that “bringing private market funders to the campus” helps to “augment the robust innovation dialogue at ,” by adding the funding side of the equation to the entrepreneurial dialogue.
Students also heard from Steve Novakovic from CAIA Association. The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association is the global professional body dedicated to alternative investment credential programs, which prepares analysts to assess investments in hedge funds, venture capital, private equity, and private credit.
Creating a Lasting Impact
Learning about which certifications and professional organizations students may pursue and join can have a lasting impact. For some students, a professional certification is a helpful post-graduation goal that supports their career, and for others, it can inspire them to tailor their studies to a part of an industry they hadn’t previously considered.
Professional organizations also boost students’ ability to discover new career paths, build professional connections, and grow long after they graduate from Leeds.
For students who attended the event, they had the opportunity to connect with the finance industry professionals after the panel during a networking hour hosted as part of the evening's programming.
“The Funding Innovation event was truly eye-opening regarding career opportunities. We had the opportunity to network with professionals and hear about potential internship openings at their organizations.”
Shared Alex Dahm, Fin‘26
Industry Insights for Students
The Burridge Center strives to give students many opportunities to prepare for careers in finance and join the industry as leaders. With events like the Funding Innovation panel, the Center shares the breadth and depth of finance to inspire students, help them launch their careers, and develop a strong network for the future.
Pham, a member of the Boulder Venture Club, shared that the event helps “open the door to more students to find a unique career path they love. We couldn’t do this without the support of the Burridge Center.”