Programs & Projects

Acumen Fund aims to create a world beyond poverty by investing in social enterprises, emerging leaders, and breakthrough ideas. Ross student Rakesh Bajaj’s internship was a continuation of a 2011 WDI Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP) which was a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory environment in the education sector in India. The analysis was in advance of potential Acumen investments of over $6 million in the education sector with specific focus on private schools, school services and vocational training serving low-income populations in India. Bajaj sourced new deals by interacting with entrepreneurs and investment bankers; conducted due diligence of potential investments based on the internal social and financial metric developed by Acumen; maintained a log of meetings and conversations with entrepreneurs and sector experts; and worked with Acumen’s legal counsel to close an investment deal if the company decided to move forward with an investment.