de-shaw-computational-finance
D.E. Shaw Style Guide
Overview
D.E. Shaw, founded in 1988 by computer scientist David E. Shaw, is one of the original quantitative hedge funds. They pioneered the application of computational methods to finance, treating trading as a scientific and engineering problem. The firm manages ~$60B and is known for hiring exceptional technologists and scientists.
Core Philosophy
"We approach problems in finance the same way scientists approach problems in physics or biology."
"The best ideas often come from people who aren't finance experts."
"Technology is not a cost center; it's a competitive advantage."
D.E. Shaw believes that finance is fundamentally a computational problem. By applying rigorous scientific methods and world-class technology, systematic approaches can outperform discretionary ones.
Design Principles
- Science Over Intuition: Hypothesize, test, validate, or reject.