Institute of Advanced Investment Management

Moonshot Initiative

Funding & support for bold, applied faculty and student projects at the University of Utah.

Have a great idea? Whether it’s a tool, app, or research prototype, IAIM wants to help make it real. Our sponsored projects provide funding, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities, to turn innovative concepts into impactful, data-driven solutions. Through the Moonshot Initiative, we empower students and faculty to experiment, build, and refine their ideas with the support of IAIM’s network of industry professionals, access to financial and analytical resources, and guidance from experienced mentors. Our goal is to help you transform your vision into a project that advances the practice of investing and innovation at the University of Utah.

Benefits to Students

  • Real-World Application: Apply classroom theory to real investment, data, and analytics challenges.
  • Funding & Resources: Receive financial support, access to professional data, and mentorship from IAIM.
  • Portfolio & Resume Impact: Build tangible, portfolio-worthy tools, dashboards, or research prototypes.
  • Professional Mentorship: Work directly with faculty and financial practitioners for career and research guidance.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry sponsors, alumni, and thought leaders in finance and AI.
  • Skill Development: Strengthen technical (data science, coding, analytics) and soft skills (leadership, teamwork, communication).
  • Publication & Recognition: Opportunity to present projects at IAIM events.

Benefits to Faculty

  • Research Support: Gain funding and data access for developing research or applied projects.
  • Collaborative Innovation: Partner with motivated students to prototype tools, gather data, or explore new research ideas.
  • Visibility & Impact: Showcase innovative work through IAIM’s network, events, and industry partnerships.
  • Mentorship Opportunities: Guide interdisciplinary student teams in real-world problem solving.
  • Seed for Future Grants: Use successful projects as proof-of-concept for external grant or corporate funding proposals.

Selection Criteria

  • Open exclusively to University of Utah faculty and students
  • Apply using the U of U Qualtrics form
  • Clear objective and weekly deliverables
  • Feasibility and technical plan
  • Potential for practical impact
Application Process
Application Window
We operate on an open-ended application cycle — you can apply anytime you have a great idea. Whether it’s a new tool, app, or research prototype, IAIM welcomes proposals year-round. Complete and submit your application detailing your idea, objectives, and expected outcomes.
Proposal
A portion of applicants are invited to a brief meeting where you’ll present your concept, share your vision, and discuss potential impact.
Selection
After the review, IAIM will notify you if your project is selected to move forward for funding, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities.
Questions
Reach out to Mia Gaona-Riveros at u1501533@umail.utah.edu for any further questions.
Apply via Qualtrics Here
Logistics
Teams
Projects can be completed individually or in teams of 2–3 members.
Duration
The application process is open year-round; you can apply any time inspiration strikes. Once accepted, projects typically run for 12–15 weeks. Participants may continue beyond this period if they wish to expand or refine their work.
Weekly Deliverables
Individuals or teams are expected to submit a weekly deliverable summarizing progress, challenges, and next steps. These updates help IAIM track development and provide ongoing feedback and mentorship.
Final Presentation
Upon completion, individuals or teams will deliver a final presentation showcasing their outcomes, findings, or prototypes. This presentation also serves as a launch point for potential next steps such as partnerships, funding extensions, or additional opportunities.
Example Projects
Portfolio Optimization & Backtest Platform
Risk/reward tradeoff, Monte Carlo scenarios, allocation suggestions for student investors.
Risk Exposure Analyzer
Visualize factor, sector, and tail-risk exposures across portfolios.
Investor Behavior Simulator
Web experiment platform to test decision-making under risk and incentives.
On-chain Analytics & Risk Monitor
For crypto asset research: wallets, flows, and concentration risk.
Market Impact Simulator
Interactive tool to visualize how large trades affect asset prices and liquidity.
Personal Financial Wellness Dashboard
Personalized budgeting + investment guidance for students (financial literacy + simulation mode).
Market Sentiment Dashboard
Aggregated and analyzed sentiment indicators to visualize investor mood.
Financial Literacy Tutor
Interactive tool that teaches investing concepts, tailored to students’ knowledge level.
Factor Performance Tracker
Dashboard analyzing how investment factors (value, momentum, quality) perform across time periods.
Faculty Data Funding
Supports faculty seeking access to premium datasets, subscription tools, or APIs required for research.