Private Equity Impact Fellowship
Work with Cranbrook Partners & Co. in New York to position its portfolio company as a leader in sustainable building materials.
Apply by September 19 at NOON
The Opportunity
Roman Stone is working on commercializing an innovative, environmentally friendly pre-cast concrete technology. This technology uses an industrial byproduct as a cement substitute, reducing both the environmental impact from decreased cement needs and disposing of the industrial byproduct in an environmentally conscious way. Their hypothesis is that long-term, this could also become a cost saver as well. The technology is at an early stage, having completed a successful proof of concept for the product’s viability, but has not been commercialized.
Your team’s goal would be to develop the business and commercialization plan for the product line.
Impact
If successful, the project could meaningfully reduce the carbon footprint of concrete production, help solve industrial waste challenges, and position Roman Stone as a leader in sustainable building materials.
About Cranbrook Partners & Co.
Cranbrook Partners is a private equity company that creates value through active ownership of businesses. The firm employs creative management practices, with a focus on productivity gains, growth, impact and disciplined analysis as key drivers for value creation. One of the companies in Cranbrook Partner’s portfolio is Roman Stone, a leading manufacturer of precast concrete products based outside of New York City.
Milestones
Build a detailed go-to-market plan with specific customers and use cases in mind.
Gather technical, operational, and market data to validate the business case.
Engage with potential customers to test market interest and refine the value proposition.
Build a detailed financial model with validated assumptions.
In partnership with the Management Team, create an operationalization plan
Final deliverable:
A comprehensive business plan, financial model, and recommended next steps for operationalizing the technology.
$500 stipend
New York, NY (paid travel)
Open to All Disciplines at the Undergraduate and Graduate Levels
Note: If the project extends beyond 4 months, students could participate in the initial setup of the pilot facility and early commercialization efforts.
OCTOBER - FEBRUARY 2025
Cranbrook Partners is seeking an interdisciplinary team of 3 to 4 students. Examples of possible profiles:
A material science engineer to ensure the technical aspects of the project—such as understanding concrete and cement processes—are realistically grounded.
A detail oriented BBA student with experience in creating presentations and building financial models.
An ERB/MBA student who can bring business acumen, a climate impact focus, and project management skills.
LS&A student with strengths in market research and marketing/communication.
Key Qualifications & Expectations
Students should be motivated by hands-on, real-world experience—those interested in working closely with a private equity firm and making a tangible impact.
Prior experience in teamwork, project management, or technical areas relevant to the project (business planning, financial modeling, engineering, material science, research) will be valuable.
The ability to dedicate 5–10 hours per week during the semester, participate in regular meetings, and possibly engage in some travel.
Apply by September 19 at NOON
Questions? Email impactstudio@umich.edu