In support of fintech organizations’ initiatives and advancements, the education space has, naturally, begun to adjust its offerings in order to fill the demand for young entrepreneurs looking to gain new expertise.
One such initiative is from the newly minted Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance, which launched its inaugural lecture on Wednesday, April 3. The center, established by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with the help of alumnus Ross Stevens, CEO and founder of Stone Ridge Holdings Group, is one of the only dedicated research centers of its kind.
“The [the Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance] will stimulate cutting-edge teaching and research as well as student and industry engagement focused on the revolutionary impact of information technology on financial services,” according to its announcement. The inaugural roundtable brought together leaders in the industry, including:
- David Musto, Faculty Director, Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance (Moderator)
- Robby Gutmann, CEO of New York Digital Investment Group
- David Klein, CEO and co-founder of CommonBond
- Jacqueline Reses, Head of Square Capital
- Elad L. Roisman, Commissioner at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
“We are so grateful to Ross for his visionary leadership that will enable Penn and Wharton to continue to innovate at the vital intersection of finance and technology,” said Penn President Amy Gutmann in a statement. “From its founding to today, Penn’s unique mission has always been to take on the biggest real-world challenges and opportunities through knowledge-based and data-driven innovation.”
The program will be helmed by David Musto, Ronald O. Perelman Professor in Finance. Among its initiatives are the analysis of transformative technology through the curation and collection of “innovative datasets,” hosting fintech leaders and providing research and career opportunities,” the announcement reads.
“Wharton has always defined the state of the art in finance teaching and research,” said Dean Geoff Garrett. “With FinTech morphing from a buzzword into the rocket fuel of financial innovation, information technology is poised to revolutionize financial services—from mobile payments to microcredit, from lending to insurance, from cryptocurrencies to financial planning, and more.”
Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance Adds KoreConX Advisor As Fellow
Across the Pond from Wharton, the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance is making moves of its own, adding Keith Bear as one of its fellows. Bear is a company advisor for KoreConX, a blockchain fintech, and he has more than 35 years’ experience in finance, strategy and blockchain, according to information from Cision PR Newswire.
Bear was responsible for IBM’s “global strategy, development and execution” in the financial markets industry prior to his role at KoreConX.
"We are very grateful to have Mr. Bear on our advisory board; he has been instrumental in our goal to revolutionize the private capital markets. Being appointed a Fellow in one of the most prestigious universities in the world only confirms once again the quality of our advisors, not only guiding us in our business strategy and approach but also directing the industry as a whole, educating and removing friction for innovation in the fintech and alternative finance worlds," said Oscar Jofre, the co-founder and CEO at KoreConX in a statement.
