A guide to building a university trading room

Many business schools are currently considering investing in trading rooms to help educate their students relative to capital markets. This article summarizes the benefits, costs, and alternatives associated with building a financial information or trading room. The benefits include; quick and easy access to a large amount of financial data, increased exposure to real-time financial market activity, and reputational capital for the school. We discuss the current databases available, and introduce software and hardware solutions. We also provide tips on room design, how to raise money, and potential uses of the room.