Summary
The Kirchner Investment Academy (KIA) is a distinguished and intensive training initiative designed to unravel the complexities of the investment process for entrepreneurs and students. It also serves as a gateway for aspiring yet inexperienced ‘angel’ investors, introducing them to the nuanced art of disciplined capital deployment. With a global reach, the program has successfully imparted knowledge to over 1,000 individuals from more than 15 countries, showcasing its international appeal and effectiveness.
At the heart of KIA lies a comprehensive curriculum that transcends traditional investment finance concepts, integrating a holistic perspective on impact investing. This approach emphasizes the human element in investment decisions, aligning with the Kirchner Group’s ethos of ‘Creating Value while Promoting Values’. The curriculum is a product of the collaborative efforts of the Kirchner Impact Foundation and the seasoned investment professionals at Kirchner Group.
Who should attend
- Entrepreneurs
- Business professionals
- Potential investors
- Incubators
- Professors
- Mentors
Goal
Demystify the world of investment to the individuals in underserved Innovation-Entrepreneurship-Investment Ecosystems through a workshop that include talks, cases and exercises on topics related to investment with international standards.
If more entrepreneurs knew about the topics taught in this academy, the entrepreneurship ecosystem would be much more ready to receive international investments.
Sergio Medina, Aceleracintar
General structure
The program is meticulously structured into eight modules, each concentrating on a specific aspect of entrepreneurship and investment. We are dedicated to delivering an in person or online learning experience that is both immersive and engaging, utilizing technology and interactive group dynamics.
The program can be taught in English or Spanish with material available in both languages and takes some of the most significant teachings of the “Kirchner Fellowship” program, as well as some readings and reflections from the platform “Kirchner’s Exploring the Business Brain“.
The program is divided into modules, each focused on a particular aspect of entrepreneurship and investing. Each module includes relevant reading material, sessions, cases and exercises specific to the audience. The program can be customized to meet the needs of any audience including a variety of approaches ranging from intensive ‘bootcamp’ styles to week long ‘course’ styles.
“I learned a lot and feel more prepared both to invest in other companies, as well as to kickstart my own businesses/projects in the future.”
Anesveth Alvarado, Watson Institute/ Universidad Francisco Marroquín student
Lead Instructor
Adrian Garcia Casarrubias
Adrian is an innovator and entrepreneur with experience in founding, managing and assisting ag-related, social and tech-based business projects. Adrian holds a Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology from the Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV) in Irapuato, Mexico. He is also an entrepreneur, with his platform INFOOD® he helped more than 300 small farmer families from around Mexico with access to high-value markets. He also coordinates the “BioBusiness Diploma Course” at Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro where he teaches young entrepreneurs tools to develop their projects and receive investment. Adrian has received awards from his academic and entrepreneurship activities like being named one of the 10 best “Innovators Under 35” in Mexico by the MIT Technology Review in 2016 and in 2017 he was selected as one of the 10 best innovators in Mexico by the “Propiedad Intelectual Magazine”, in 2018 he was selected to participate in the “Young Leaders of Americas” of the U.S. Department of State. He has also received awards like the “Cesar Garza National Prize 2010 for Seed Research” and the “IDi4Biz Prize” in 2015. In 2017 he was selected as the first student from a Mexican graduate program to receive the “Kirchner Food Fellowship”.
Adrian has a passion to work in closing the knowledge and opportunity gap between developed and developing countries, understanding that smart investment is one of the most powerful tools to boost development and fulfill the goal of global food security.
The best part is knowing that the content in this program comes directly from the source, not from someone who learned it in a classroom but from people who experience it every day.
Entrepreneur
Terrance Range Lead Instructor – HBCU
Terrance brings deep enthusiasm and rational optimism to each aspect of his life, including social entrepreneurship and the global initiatives he has supported over the past 15 years. Terrance currently serves as the Vice President of Global Fundraising for Pencils of Promise; an international for-purpose NGO committed to democratizing education access for youth in Ghana, Guatemala, and Laos. Additionally, he is a Founding CoS member and incubator fellow with Primary Ventures, Republic Venture Partner, and co-founder of ImpacteX Ventures, a social-impact obsessed venture firm committed to catalyzing impact through proptech and real-estate investing. He previously served as COO for North Chicago’s fastest-growing housing, equity, and social enterprise, Open Communities. Before Open Communities, Terrance led Mastercard’s largest leadership and entrepreneurship agri-business innovation program, a $1.2B worldwide collaboration of international schools and for-purpose organizations committed to deploying 35,000 educational grants across 33 countries and 245 corporate partners in Africa.
Terrance received his bachelor’s degree from Wilberforce University, the first private Historically Black College and University (HBCU) founded in the United States. He attended graduate school at the University of Illinois and Michigan State University. Terrance is a Director of the Kirchner Fellowship HBCU Program, and works alongside the other HBCU Directors, emerging capital allocators, and mission-centered partners.
Hosting Organizations
Upcoming Academies
KIRCHNER INVESTMENT ACADEMY – HBCU
DATE: February 1, 2025
MODEL: Online – Bootcamp (Single Day) – – Investing fundamentals
LANGUAGE: English
ELIGIBILITY: FFAR Fellows
REGISTRATION: Private
DATE: February 8, 2025
MODEL: Morgan State University – Bootcamp (Single Day) – Investing fundamentals
LANGUAGE: English
ELIGIBILITY: Enrolled in any HBCU or recent HBCU alumni
REGISTRATION: Registration Form
DATE: February 15, 2024
MODEL: Online – Bootcamp (Single Day) – Deal Evaluation Pillars
LANGUAGE: English
ELIGIBILITY: FFAR Fellows
REGISTRATION: Private
DATE: April 11, 2025
MODEL: TechPlug – An Innovation Firm, New Orleans – Bootcamp (Single Day) – Investing fundamentals
LANGUAGE: English
ELIGIBILITY: Enrolled in any HBCU or recent HBCU alumni
REGISTRATION: Registration Form
DATE: April 12, 2025
MODEL: TechPlug – An Innovation Firm, New Orleans – Bootcamp (Single Day) – Deal Evaluation Pillars
LANGUAGE: English
ELIGIBILITY: Enrolled in any HBCU or recent HBCU alumni
REGISTRATION: Registration Form
For more information or inquire about registration for an Academy contact: academy@kirchnerimpact.com