Investment Fundamentals Program
Learn practical investing skills from experienced professionals who actually work in the field. Our autumn 2025 program starts September 15th.
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Linnea Thorvaldsen
Lead Investment InstructorI spent twelve years working in portfolio management before I started teaching. Most of that time was spent making mistakes, learning from them, and figuring out what actually works versus what just sounds good in theory.
- Portfolio construction for Canadian investors
- Tax-advantaged investing strategies
- Risk assessment frameworks
Vesna Bakić
Research Methods InstructorI teach people how to read financial statements without falling asleep. Sounds boring, but it's the difference between knowing what you own and just hoping things work out.
- Financial statement analysis
- Company valuation techniques
- Industry research methods
How We Teach This Stuff
We don't believe in memorizing formulas or following rigid systems. Markets change. What worked last year might not work next year. So instead of teaching you what to think, we focus on teaching you how to think about investing decisions.
Every session includes real examples from companies you've heard of. We walk through actual investment decisions, including the ones that didn't work out. Because honestly, you learn more from understanding why something failed than celebrating what succeeded.
Small Group Format
We cap each cohort at sixteen people. This isn't a lecture hall where you sit and take notes. You'll be discussing, questioning, and sometimes disagreeing with us.
Real Portfolio Work
You'll build a practice portfolio during the program. Not with fake money or simulations, but real research on real companies making actual decisions.
Office Hours Access
Both instructors hold weekly office hours. Come with your questions, portfolio ideas, or just to talk through something you're struggling with.
Ongoing Support
After the program ends, you'll have access to our alumni community. It's a place to share ideas, ask questions, and stay connected with other investors.
Questions People Actually Ask
Before You Enroll
Do I need investing experience to join?
Not really. We start with fundamentals but move quickly. If you already invest, you'll still learn new approaches. If you're starting from scratch, you'll keep up just fine.
How much time does this take each week?
Two evening sessions per week, plus maybe three hours of homework. Some weeks you'll spend more time if you're really into a particular topic. Some weeks less.
Is this program regulated or certified?
No. We're not a securities course or certification program. This is practical education from people who work in the field. You won't get credentials, but you'll get useful knowledge.
During the Program
What if I miss a session?
We record everything. You can watch later and catch up. That said, the live discussions are where a lot of learning happens, so try to attend when you can.
Can I get help with my actual investments?
We can discuss investment concepts and walk through analysis frameworks. But we can't give you specific advice about your personal portfolio. That would require being registered advisors, which we're not.
How technical does this get?
We use spreadsheets and basic math. Nothing beyond high school level. If you can calculate percentages and understand ratios, you're fine.
After You Finish
Will I be ready to manage my own investments?
You'll have the knowledge and frameworks. Whether you're ready depends on your comfort level and how much time you want to dedicate to it. Some graduates manage everything themselves. Others use what they learned to work better with their advisors.
Do you help with job placement?
This isn't a career program. We're teaching investing skills, not preparing you for finance jobs. If that's your goal, you'd need different training.
What We Cover
The program runs for twelve weeks. Each module builds on the previous one, but we keep things flexible based on what the group wants to explore deeper.
Investment Basics
Asset classes, account types, tax considerations for Canadian investors. The foundation stuff you need before anything else makes sense.
Reading Financials
Income statements, balance sheets, cash flow. How to find the information that actually matters and ignore the noise.
Company Analysis
Valuation methods, competitive positioning, management quality. The frameworks professionals use to evaluate businesses.
Portfolio Building
Asset allocation, diversification, rebalancing. How to put together a portfolio that matches your goals and risk tolerance.
Risk Management
Understanding what can go wrong and how to protect yourself. This is probably the most important module we teach.
Practical Strategies
Putting everything together. Real portfolio construction work with feedback from instructors and peers.
Next Program Starts September 2025
Our autumn cohort begins September 15th and runs through early December. We're accepting applications through August 30th. Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Eastern.
Program Length
Twelve weeks of structured learning with ongoing community access after completion
Class Size
Maximum sixteen participants per cohort for meaningful interaction and personalized attention
Format
Live online sessions with recordings available, plus office hours and community forum access