The Street Smarts

What The Street Smarts does

The Street Smarts (TSS) is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation founded in December 2016 by Michael D. Campbell and headquartered in Oakley, California. The organization is student-run and student-led, delivering financial education, mentorship, and direct-placement internships primarily to students of color and underrepresented communities seeking careers in finance and accounting. Its core program surface comprises the TSS Value Fund (a student-managed investment portfolio with hands-on equity research), the Medical Device Sales Academy (a two-week intensive sales training program), the TSS FinEd Academy (financial literacy workshops delivered in partnership with Training the Street), the TSS Junior Board (a student-led events and outreach team), TSS Across The USA (a national expansion program), and an internship placement program that connects participants with leading financial firms.

Since inception, TSS has served more than 400 students across 10 US cities (San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Austin/San Marcos, New York, San Diego, and Sacramento/Davis) and maintains partnerships with 15+ major college clubs and leading financial institutions including BlackRock, AB Bernstein, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Goldman Sachs, PwC, Penserra Securities, Kingsford Capital Management, Cerberus Capital Management, and Truist. The business model is donation-driven: TSS operates as a 501(c)(3) relying on contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations, with all programs delivered free of charge to participants. There is no proprietary technology platform disclosed; program delivery runs through live virtual sessions, in-person workshops, cohort-based learning, webinars, and event-driven community engagement across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and email channels.

Verified alumni outcomes include placements at Goldman Sachs (Investment Banking analyst), Valor Equity Partners (Equity Researcher), The Walt Disney Company (Corporate FP&A Analyst), and Kingsford Capital Management, with one alumnus having progressed from TSS internships to UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. The organization has no disclosed revenue, no paid product tiers, and no traditional equity funding structure; its 2024 launch of the TSS Value Fund represents the most significant recent programmatic expansion into actual portfolio management education for under-resourced students.

Name

The Street Smarts

Legal name

The Street Smarts

Website

https://thestreetsmarts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Street Smarts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 that delivers free financial education, mentorship, and direct-placement internships to underrepresented students pursuing careers in finance and accounting across 10 US cities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Financial Education and Career Development Nonprofit

NAICS

Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)

Keywords

• Financial education nonprofit
• Internship placement program
• Student investment fund
• Medical device sales training
• Underrepresented student mentorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Concord

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The Street Smarts is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation that generates revenue through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donors can contribute via PayPal or QR code on the website.
2. Free Educational Programs: All programs including the Medical Device Sales Academy and TSS Value Fund are offered free of charge to students. The organization operates as a nonprofit providing complimentary education and internship opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Street Smarts is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation that delivers free financial education, mentorship, and direct-placement internship programs to students of color and underrepresented communities seeking careers in finance, accounting, and sales. Its offerings include a student-managed investment fund, a medical device sales academy, a financial literacy workshop series, a junior student board, a national city expansion program, and direct internship placement at firms such as BlackRock, AB Bernstein, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Goldman Sachs, and PwC. All programs are offered at no cost to students and are funded through donations and grants.

Product overview

The Street Smarts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a multi-program platform focused on financial education and career development for students of color and underrepresented communities. The core offerings include the TSS Value Fund (student-managed investment portfolio), Medical Device Sales Academy (sales training), TSS FinEd Academy (financial literacy workshops), TSS Junior Board (student-led events), and TSS Across The USA (national expansion). These programs are interconnected through mentorship, internships, and workshops that collectively prepare students for careers in finance and accounting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TSS Value Fund A student-led investment fund offering hands-on experience in managing real portfolios, conducting equity research, and developing stock pitches with mentorship from industry professionals, designed for students seeking careers in investment management.
• Medical Device Sales Academy A two-week intensive virtual sales training program preparing participants for careers in medical device sales through expert-led training, hands-on practice, career support, and certification, targeting undergrads, recent grads, professionals with 2+ years experience, and MBA students seeking to break into sales.
• TSS FinEd Academy A financial literacy and professional skills program offering workshops, mentorship, and hands-on learning covering financial statement analysis, investment strategies, and quantitative and qualitative finance tools, delivered in partnership with Training the Street (TTS).
• TSS Junior Board A student-led team assisting TSS in building a community focused on financial and accounting education by organizing events and workshops for college students.
• TSS Across The USA A national expansion program connecting The Street Smarts with college students from non-target schools across 10 US cities including San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Austin/San Marcos, New York, San Diego, and Sacramento/Davis.
• Internship Placement Program A direct-placement internship program connecting students with leading financial firms such as BlackRock, AB Bernstein, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Penserra Securities, Kingsford Capital Management, PwC, and Goldman Sachs for hands-on industry experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400+ students served since 2016
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Penserra SecuritiesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2018Securities firm where TSS placed its first accounting interns. Located in Orinda, California.
• PwCmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2018Global professional services firm where TSS placed its first accounting interns in June 2018.
• BlackRockcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2016Leading asset management firm that connects with TSS students through mentorship programs and industry exposure opportunities.
• AB BernsteincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2016Financial services firm providing mentorship and hands-on experience opportunities for TSS students.
• Dimensional Fund AdvisorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2016Investment firm that provides industry exposure and professional mentorship for TSS program participants.
• Kingsford Capital ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2014Where TSS originated as an informal internship program under Mike Wilkins. Provided internship opportunities and stock analysis training for students including Casey Roquemore and Khari Campbell-Wright.
• Goldman SachsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal investment bank where TSS alumni have been placed as Investment Banking analysts.
• Valor Equity PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestment firm where TSS alumnus Luis Cortes Reyes works as Equity Researcher.
• Cerberus Capital ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlternative asset management firm listed as a partner/supporter of TSS.
• Blaylock-vanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestment banking firm and TSS partner supporting financial education initiatives.
• Jackson Square PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAsset management firm listed as partner/supporter.
• Alpine InvestorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate equity firm supporting TSS mission.
• TruistminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial services company where Phillip Brown from Truist was featured as guest speaker for TSS webinar.
• Training the Street (TTS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class financial training provider that delivers workshops with TSS FinEd Academy. Led sessions on understanding financial statements using companies like YETI as case studies.
• Stage ShotminorOthersPartner listed on TSS supporters page.
• BiviumminorOthersPartner listed on TSS supporters page.
• ViableEDUminorOthersEducation-focused partner supporting TSS initiatives.
• Justin Sheetz, CFA, CFRMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry professional who led TSS FinEd Academy sessions on emerging technologies in stock selection and portfolio management.
• Iredia EkhatominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry professional who emphasized mentorship, continuous learning, and career advancement during TSS sessions.
• Edward AscoliminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed Understanding Financial Statements session for TSS FinEd Academy covering balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement analysis.
• FAME (Finance, Accounting, and Marketing Excellence)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with San Francisco State University for joint event on December 4th, 2024 featuring Michael D. Campbell for career empowerment session.
• PrincetonminorOthersPrinceton University mentioned in partnership logos section.
• East BayminorOthersEast Bay regional partner supporting TSS activities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bottom Line: Bottom Line is a direct peer nonprofit providing college access, persistence, and career-launch coaching to first-generation and underrepresented students from urban communities. Both organizations address the same gap TSS targets — driving students from underrepresented backgrounds into professional careers.
• The Posse Foundation: Posse is a direct peer nonprofit that identifies, trains, and places diverse student cohorts at top colleges and supports their transition into professional careers. Both organizations run cohort-based programs, build leadership pipelines, and partner with corporations for career outcomes.
• Toigo Foundation: The Toigo Foundation is a direct peer nonprofit specifically focused on increasing diversity in finance, offering mentorship, leadership development, and career-placement programming for underrepresented talent pursuing asset management and investment careers. It is closely comparable to TSS's finance-focused niche.
• iMentor: iMentor is a direct peer nonprofit pairing underrepresented students with professional mentors to drive college persistence, graduation, and career readiness. Its core mentorship-driven, college-to-career model overlaps TSS's mentorship and professional-readiness programming.
• INROADS: INROADS is a direct peer nonprofit that places underrepresented college students into paid corporate internships, with strong historical placement into financial services and Fortune 500 firms. It shares TSS's internship-placement-first model and focus on students of color pursuing business careers.
• Braven: Braven is a direct peer nonprofit that runs career-accelerator and fellowship programs for underrepresented college students, combining skills training, mentorship, and employer partnerships to drive job placements. Its cohort-based accelerator model is closely comparable to TSS's FinEd Academy and internship pipeline.
• Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT): MLT is a direct peer nonprofit that prepares high-achieving underrepresented students for careers at leading businesses, with a strong track record placing alumni at top financial-services and consulting firms. Its career-accelerator and fellowship model overlaps TSS's internship placement, mentorship, and corporate partnership approach.
• Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO): SEO is a direct peer nonprofit running career-pathway and internship-placement programs that place underrepresented students into competitive roles at top financial firms, asset managers, and consulting companies — closely mirroring TSS's model. Both target students of color seeking finance careers and operate multi-program platforms with direct employer placement.

Broad incumbents

• Year Up: Year Up is a broad incumbent nonprofit workforce-development organization offering training, internships, and career placement for young adults from low-income communities. While broader than TSS in scope (IT, business, and finance tracks), its model of corporate internships, mentorship, and job placement overlaps directly with TSS's approach.

Emerging players

• NPower: NPower is a peer nonprofit providing free technology and professional skills training, mentorship, and job placement for young adults from underserved communities. While its primary focus is tech rather than finance, its cohort-based training, certification, and employer placement structure mirrors TSS's program design.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Streetsmartsorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-street-streets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Street Smarts