The Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) is one of Europe’s leading business schools. It was founded in 1909 on private initiative as a response to rapid industrialization and a growing need for well educated businessmen and company managers. The school is the only privately funded university in Sweden. SSE is highly prestigious: its programs rank in the top 20 of the Financial Times Global Rankings, and the school is ranked among the best European business schools by the same organization. It is also accredited by EQUIS and is a member of CEMS, a cooperation of leading business schools and universities with multinational companies and NGOs.