Unnati is India’s first ever student-run mutual fund. It was conceptualized in June 2001 as a Diversified Fund with the objective of providing future managers with a launchpad to enhance their learning through the experience of managing a real investment portfolio. In August 2003 a Mid-Cap Fund was added to expand the universe of stocks researched by the team and open new avenues for learning the nuances of investment management by taking real investment decisions. 

Unnati’s investment philosophy is of value investing through fundamental analysis. The analysts-in-training generate quality research to aid investment decisions. The second year Senior Security Analysts (SSA’s) mentor the first year Junior Security Analysts (JSA’s) in analyzing sectors and evaluating investment options.The stock analysis meetings stimulate debate and a culture of forming opinions and questioning assumptions which leaves the team richer in experience. 

Unnati’s investors are at the heart of all its activities.The research generated is distributed in the form of newsletters, sector outlooks and stock recommendations to keep investors well informed. A high degree of focus is on investor education and not just providing excellent returns on investment.The Investor Education Series helps impart basics of investment while Industry Interactions and Valuation Workshops help cater to further advanced investor education needs. 

Professionalism is one of the core values around which Unnati is founded and is what differentiates it from the many funds across B-school campuses that have emerged following its success. Information and queries of hundreds of investors are handled with utmost promptness and discretion. The teamwork and knowledge transfer model in place ensures that the bar is raised every year and continuity of operations is seamless. 

Unnati’s activities have been regularly covered by the press and national television networks. Starting with a mere Rs.50, 000, Unnati has registered impressive growth and now has an AUM close to Rs.10 lakh under the two funds combined. The future holds exciting possibilities as Team Unnati looks to take this platform of shared learning and practical application oftheory to a whole new level through some creative and pioneering initiatives.