How to Apply
Student teams must apply to take part in the Sterling Partners Investment Thesis Challenge. The application will ask you to provide information (including a resume) on each team member, identify the title and sector focus of your proposal, and upload the complete investment thesis proposal.
Your investment thesis proposal should not exceed 10 slides (widescreen format). It should summarize your team’s investment thesis; explain why this particular thesis was selected; introduce your team members and the experience you each bring; and outline a strategy for developing your full investment thesis (including specific milestones). Sample proposals are available for review from the Polsky Center upon request. Selection will be based on the willingness of one of the hosting private equity firm sponsors to provide support and mentorship to the team.
View a list of firms interested in reviewing proposals for the 2023-24 program here. Teams may take these firm profiles into consideration as they identify and develop their proposals.
Eligibility
SPITC is open to current Chicago Booth students in the MBA program only. Prior experience in private equity is not needed to be considered.
- Team Size and Makeup:
Recommended team size for SPITC is two to four students. Individual applicants will not be considered. Teams may include any mix of full-time and part-time students, as well as first-year and second-year students. - Contact With Host Firms:
Students may not contact any participating firms directly regarding their proposal or application status without the approval of the Polsky Center. Doing so is considered an ethical violation and may render a student ineligible for the challenge. - Recording SPITC Participation On The Resume:
Students may post participation in SPITC as a bullet on their resume; however, students may not list the research they complete as work experience for the host firm without seeking prior approval from the firm.
If you are looking for teammates, please fill in your details on this SPITC Team-Building Spreadsheet and check frequently for updates.