About Us | QUAAF

Who We Are

We are a student-managed portfolio of alternative strategies in Canada, overseeing funds contributed by private investors, corporate sponsors, and Queen's University alumni.

QUAAF employs an investment mandate incorporating privately held and publicly traded investments. This educational initiative welcomes applicants from all graduate-level programs at the Smith School of Business.

Our goal is to provide aspiring capital markets professionals with practical experience managing a funded portfolio, alongside exposure to alternative strategies within a dynamic, continuously evolving learning environment.

Ultimately, we strive to enhance the educational experience at the Smith School of Business by establishing a mutually beneficial platform that connects alumni, current members, and industry professionals.

Our Mission

QUAAF is committed to helping students gain real-world experience in managing alternative investments. Our goal is to achieve strong, consistent returns in all market conditions by combining expert external fund managers with our own research-driven investment strategies. We focus on identifying unique opportunities across different asset classes while managing risk effectively.

Beyond investing, we provide hands-on training, workshops, and bootcamps to equip our members with essential skills in portfolio management, risk analysis, and financial research. Through these programs, students learn to analyze market trends, develop investment strategies, and think critically about the future of active investment management.

By combining education with practical experience, QUAAF prepares its members for careers in finance while striving to deliver strong, risk-adjusted returns in any market environment.

Our History

In the fall of 2011, eight full-time MBA students invested $6,000 of their own money with the goal of establishing Canada’s first student-run hedge fund at the Smith School of Business.

After the students achieved strong returns on their investment, showcasing their financial expertise, the Smith School of Business offered its support, leading to the creation of QUAAF in January 2012.

The group rapidly expanded by recruiting fellow MBA students, assembling research analyst teams, and building connections with key leaders in the financial industry. They conducted in-depth research on Canadian hedge funds and made their first investments before passing leadership to the next year’s class.

Originally, QUAAF was limited to MBA and Master of Finance (MFin) students, but it has since grown to include 10+ graduate programs, including: MMA, MMAI & MFIT students. The fund has continuously improved its portfolio construction approach, striving to achieve superior risk-adjusted returns with low correlation to broad market conditions.

Each generation of QUAAF is tasked with overseeing the fund’s ongoing operations and financial management. The fund remains focused on its core values and objectives, which include education, professionalism, and integrity.

Meet Our Team

At QUAAF, our dedicated and passionate team is focused on providing outstanding support and expert guidance to our thriving community of emerging professionals.