Warrington doctoral candidate co-authors book by CFA Institute

Zack Ellison (DBA ’25) co-authored the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Foundation’s latest book: An Introduction to Alternative Credit. The doctoral candidate of business administration at the University of Florida Warrington College of Business contributed a chapter on the history, characteristics, risks, returns and future potential of venture debt, telling readers everything they need to know about the emerging alternative credit product.

“The DBA program at the University of Florida has been instrumental in honing my skills for high-level academic research and writing,” he said. “Its rigorous curriculum and emphasis on producing Tier-1 scholarly work have significantly sharpened my abilities in these areas, positioning me as an emerging thought leader within innovation finance, particularly venture debt. This foundation has not only enabled me to contribute meaningfully to the CFA Institute’s publication but supports my ambition to influence the field through future peer-reviewed journal publications.”

Ellison is currently constructing his dissertation on venture debt, a topic that excites him with its potential to support innovative entrepreneurs and their businesses. Outside of academia, he is the founder, managing general partner and chief investment officer of Applied Real Intelligence (A.R.I.), a venture debt investment manager providing financing solutions to premier startups in recession-resistant sectors and underserved regions in North America.