How a Student-Athlete Co-Founded the Ivy Investment Banking Initiative at Iowa State

Episode 31 | November 3, 2025

In this special episode of The Coffee Chat Podcast, spotlighting selective student organizations, host Ben Dowell speaks with Ty Claiborne, a senior at Iowa State University and co-founder of the Ivy Investment Banking Initiative.

The Ivy IB Initiative is a selective, high-impact program designed to help students from Iowa State’s Ivy College of Business stand out in investment banking and other competitive finance careers. Each year, 10–20 “Ivy Scholars” are chosen based on academic excellence, leadership, and communication skills, gaining access to technical training, mentorship, and alumni support.

From Defeat to Inspiration

Ty’s journey began in 2024, during a stock pitch competition against the University of Iowa. “We got blown away,” he admits. But instead of giving up, Ty saw an opportunity. He noticed that Iowa’s team belonged to a well-structured program (the Hawkinson Institute) and realized Iowa State needed something similar.

“That experience was eye-opening,” he said. “I didn’t want to be in a position again where I wasn’t the most prepared in the room.”

Ty began researching similar programs at other public universities like Kansas and Kansas State, learning how they institutionalized investment banking preparation. He then reached out to Iowa State alumni working in finance, many of whom offered mentorship and advice.

Building the Framework

With the encouragement of alumni, Ty developed a pitch for a formal program within the College of Business. He even traveled to New York City to present his proposal to alumni. Two in particular became instrumental partners, reviewing his materials late into the night and joining meetings with college administrators.

Convincing the university wasn’t easy. “They asked, ‘Why not just make this a student club?’” Ty recalls. To gain support, he showed data from comparable programs that placed nearly all participants into investment banking roles. His vision was clear: a sustainable, director-led program that wouldn’t lose direction when student leaders graduated.

Launching a Lasting Program

After months of revisions, alumni coordination, and persistent advocacy, the Ivy Investment Banking Initiative received approval in 2025. The program launched with a summer alumni panel attended by more than 70 students and parents.

Now, the Ivy IB Initiative includes both freshman and sophomore cohorts, offering weekly training sessions, behavioral prep for freshmen, and technical workshops for sophomores, plus regular networking events with employers and alumni.

“It took weekly meetings all summer with career services, marketing, and academic advisors,” Ty says. “It truly couldn’t have happened without the support of the College of Business.”

Lessons from a Student-Athlete

As a Division I football player, Ty relates his athletic discipline to the persistence required to build the Ivy IB Initiative. “Sports will take what they need from you,” he reflects, “but you have to use that platform to build your future.”

His advice to other student-athletes: “Don’t let your sport use you, use it to connect, explore, and find what you’re passionate about.”

Through vision, humility, and teamwork, Ty transformed a moment of defeat into a legacy that will shape the careers of Iowa State finance students for years to come.

See Where Adventis Can Take You:
From undergrads to analysts, discover how students like you landed top roles. Explore Student Success Stories