From Origami's "About the Challenge" for the just ended 2013 contest (next one starts in November):
...Origami Capital Partners is a Chicago-based investment firm with committed capital of $680 million. The firm, which was founded in 2008, specializes in innovative, niche investment strategies. To date, Origami has been one of the largest buyers of secondary interests in hedge funds, having acquired interests with a net asset value of more than $1.3 billion. Origami is structured as a private equity fund with capital that is committed for up to nine years. Consequently, it is able to help identify unusual but significant market opportunities that require a number of years to come to fruition.Historically, Origami has been a buyer of hard-to-sell assets and a provider of liquidity. To date, Origami has provided capital to sellers of illiquid investments who wanted money immediately; Origami’s strategy has been to wait patiently for recovery of value in these illiquid investments. That is “old news.”Origami has sought to invest in niche areas, where few others have been investing. With these ideas in mind, we have avoided venture capital (i.e., funding a new technology or operating business), leveraged buyouts, private lending, or outright purchases of real estate or commodities. In our view, these are areas where there are many talented, well-capitalized investors. However, we could be interested in these areas if a novel approach or circumstance yielded a competitive advantage.What is the Origami Challenge
We like different, unconventional, and “crazy” ideas. Origami’s current investment focus, purchasing secondary interests in hedge funds, was an application of an old idea (secondary purchases) to a new area (hedge funds). There may be other opportunities to apply old ideas to new areas, new ideas to pre-existing strategies, or completely new ideas involving new markets. Typically, a good idea should solve a legitimate problem. Also, some of the most successful investment strategies historically have involved a key insight about the macroeconomic environment.What Types Of Ideas Are Acceptable
1. Broadly defined, the investment opportunity should be large enough to absorb $100 million of capital and last at least a year. Investments can include any asset class or geographical location....MOREOrigami is awarding $130,000 in prizes. The Final round winner will receive a $50,000 cash prize and could receive a consulting contract or an employment opportunity with Origami Capital Partners. Each of the 8 division winners will receive a $10,000 cash prize, and entry into the Final round.
An Investment Strategy Throw Down (May The Best Idea Cash In.)
Also at Simoleon Sense:
The Atlas of Public Stocks – A Free Website That Maps All Publicly Listed Companies (My first web application)
