Biodiversity Entrepreneurship
We study an emerging class of start-up organizations focused on biodiversity conservation and the challenges they face in financing these ventures. Using a novel machine learning method, we identify 630 biodiversity-linked start-ups in PitchBook and compare their financing dynamics to other ventures. Biodiversity start-ups raise less capital but attract a broader coalition of investors, including not only venture capitalists (“value investors”) but also mission-aligned impact funds and public institutions (“values investors”).
In-person Site Visits Matter, Even In the Age of AI
Smith School Associate Professor Sean Cao’s research shows investor site visits do more than gather information. On-site interactions also monitor managers, improving efficiency—an essential human role that artificial intelligence, he argues, cannot replace.
TerpTax: Social Media Tax Scam Epidemic
Sam Handwerger warns that TikTok is spreading 2025 tax scams, from fuel credit claims to fake W-2s and bogus self-employment credits. With AI voice cloning adding risks, the IRS created CASST and issued alerts urging caution over online tax advice.
Having an Egomaniac CFO Brings a Company Higher Valuations
The more narcissistic a company's CFO, the higher the analysts valuations of the firm, finds new research from the Smith School's Nick Seybert. He and his co-authors look at conference calls with analysts and find that narcissistic CFOs talk more, use euphemisms, and push back againtst — even threaten — pessimistic analysts.
For Students, By Students: Smith Student Looks to Reshape Campus Engagement
Aiden Polinsky ’27, a Smith School accounting and finance major, co-founded CampusAI and leads at Connyct, leveraging Smith’s entrepreneurial resources, faculty mentorship, and peer collaboration to build impactful, student-driven platforms before graduation.
Analytics for Finance and Accounting: Data Structures and Applied AI
Analytics for Finance and Accounting: Data Structures and Applied AI bridges the gap between technical data science education and domain-specific applications in accounting and finance. Designed for students and instructors seeking practical exposure to AI-driven financial analytics, the book prioritizes understanding real-world business data—structured and unstructured—before introducing machine learning techniques.
Study Shows EPA’s Unintended Effect on Voluntary Climate Disclosures by Public Firms
Public firms disclose significantly less about environmental risks when under EPA scrutiny, new research by Mark Zakota shows. His study highlights how such oversight may undermine SEC climate-transparency efforts—unless firms improve governance or agencies better coordinate enforcement.
Explaining, Assessing the Digital Services Tax Dilemma
President Trump paused trade talks with Canada over its digital services tax, calling it a threat to U.S. interests. Canada withdrew the tax to restart negotiations. Broader global tax reform remains uncertain, as key international agreements face political hurdles.
Moments of Impact
Smith faculty are shaping policy, business and society through influential research and public service. From AI and insurance reform to pay equity and public pensions, they’re winning top awards and earning national recognition for impact and innovation across disciplines.
From Man vs. Machine to Man + Machine: The Art and AI of Stock Analyses
An AI analyst trained to digest corporate disclosures, industry trends, and macroeconomic indicators surpasses most analysts in stock return predictions. Nevertheless, humans win “Man vs. Machine” when institutional knowledge is crucial, e.g., involving intangible assets and financial distress. AI wins when information is transparent but voluminous. Humans provide significant incremental value in “Man + Machine”, which also substantially reduces extreme errors. Analysts catch up with machines after “alternative data” become available if their employers build AI capabilities.