ABOUT US
Educating students about social impact and changing lives, one project at a time.
Our Story
The Melbourne Microfinance Initiative (MMI) was founded in 2010 by Fernando Tamayo after a life-changing exchange semester at the University of Pennsylvania. Through Penn Microfinance, Fernando witnessed the transformative impact of microfinance firsthand in his native Peru and was inspired by the opportunity for students to contribute to meaningful social change.
Returning to the University of Melbourne, he recognised that Australia lacked a student organisation offering similar experiences. Together with five fellow Bachelor of Commerce students who shared his passion for social impact, Fernando founded MMI as Australia's first student-run microfinance organisation.
What began as a small team of six students quickly grew into a community of more than 300 members within its first year. By 2011, MMI had expanded its impact beyond campus, delivering semester-long pro bono consulting projects for NGOs in Cambodia, Laos, and Ghana, hosting the inaugural Global Student Microfinance Day, and building a growing network of students and alumni committed to advancing financial inclusion.Today,
More than 15 years since its founding, MMI continues to empower students to create meaningful social impact through consulting, professional development, and global collaboration. Today, we are Australia's largest student-led microfinance organisation, with over 500 members in 2026.
Since 2010, MMI has delivered 66+ pro bono consulting projects across 25 countries, partnering with mission-driven organisations to advance financial inclusion and create lasting impact.
Beyond consulting, we host a range of flagship events and professional development initiatives, including Careers in Social Impact, Impact Investing, consulting workshops with leading firms, and the Global Microfinance Case Competition (GMCC), the world's largest microfinance case competition.
Our Commitments
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To empower students to create meaningful social impact by applying their skills to real-world challenges, while advancing financial inclusion and sustainable development through consulting, collaboration, and innovation.
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Social Impact
Create lasting impact by supporting communities and organisations across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.Student Development
Equip students with practical consulting experience, professional skills, and leadership opportunities.Inspire
Inspire the next generation of changemakers to tackle poverty, inequality, and global development challenges. -
Purpose-Driven
We are committed to creating meaningful and lasting social impact.Impact Through Microfinance
We believe in the power of microfinance and inclusive business to transform lives.Excellence
We strive for professionalism, innovation, and high performance in everything we do.Curiosity
We embrace continuous learning, critical thinking, and new perspectives.Integrity
We act with honesty, authenticity, and respect for one another. -
Empower
Develop future leaders by providing opportunities for professional and personal growth.Exposure
Expand opportunities through industry partnerships, events, and global engagement.Wellbeing
Foster an inclusive, supportive, and connected community where every member can thrive.Evaluation
Continuously measure and improve the quality and impact of our initiatives.Evolution
Embrace innovation and challenge the status quo to drive meaningful progress.
Angela Tang
President’s Note
“MMI has played an integral role in our university experience, offering unique opportunities to create a meaningful impact for our clients, partners, and community. Beyond the work itself, MMI brings together a committee of passionate students who foster an inclusive and empowering culture, which is central to everything we do in driving social impact.”
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