Mayo Center - Darden Capital Management

Hands-On Investing Opportunities

Darden Capital Management (DCM)

Darden Capital Management consists of 28 second-year students chosen to actively manage six investment portfolios for the Darden School Foundation. The newest fund, focused on REITs, launched on 1 April 2022. Click here to learn more about it. 

In 1990, The Darden School Foundation recognized that the best preparation for careers in these industries is hands-on investment management experience. Accordingly, the Trustees earmarked $250,000 from the Foundation's overall endowment for active management by Darden students.

As of December 2023, Darden Capital Management's assets under management have grown to over ~$26 million held across the six funds, making it one of the largest programs of its kind. The Cavalier, Colonnade, Darden, Jefferson, Monticello and Rotunda funds are managed independently and provide the opportunity for Darden students to develop skills in investment analysis and portfolio management. Each team formally meets on a weekly basis to discuss any updates, examine new ideas, and adjust the portfolio accordingly.

Additionally, Darden Capital Management serves as the school's investment management club, open for all students to join. The Darden Capital Management Club sponsors presentations from leading professionals in the investment management, research and larger financial communities to enhance Darden students' learning experience in the classroom and as participants in managing the funds. The Club also seeks to assist current Darden students in beginning their careers by maintaining strong contact with the school's alumni currently working in the industry. To this end, the club publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Advisor, which is distributed to alumni and contains the holdings, activity and performance of the five funds as well as selected investment pitches being considered by the funds.

Darden at Virginia Investing Challenge (DVIC)

Every year, Darden Capital Management hosts the Darden at Virginia Investing Challenge (DVIC). DVIC is open to students from MBA programs who travel to Charlottesville to compete for cash prizes. 

Darden Executive MBA Fund (DEF)

Similar to Darden Capital Management, The Darden Executive MBA fund (DEF) is an opportunity for both Executive MBA students (EMBAs) and Part-time MBA students (PMBAs) to gain hands-on investment management experience. DEF is offered as an elective class for 10-20 students and is also a club that all professional MBA degree students can join to practice pitching and hands-on investing.