The GAIN University Investment Challenge
Welcome to the GAIN University Investment Challenge – a brand-new UK-wide competition designed to help you sharpen your skills in stock analysis, teamwork, and public speaking.
As part of your team (hi team!), you’ll be researching a real UK-listed company, building an investment pitch, and presenting your ideas to experienced industry professionals. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to win prizes, access exclusive mentoring, and expand your career network.
The top five teams will be invited to the in-person final, where you’ll deliver your pitch live and answer questions from a panel of industry experts. Sounds good? Let's go!
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Type
GAIN Programme -
Starting date
Oct 7 -
Author
GAIN UK -
Live Sessions
4 Live Zoom Webinars
As a team, you will be...
1. Crafting Your Video Pitch (5-8 minutes)
Think of this as presenting to a fund manager, your analysis and persuasion count! Recommend Buy, Sell, or Hold your chosen stock.
2. Producing Your Written Research Report (Max 5 Pages)
Back up your pitch with a structured, professional analysis.
2. Producing Your Written Research Report (Max 5 Pages)
Back up your pitch with a structured, professional analysis.
Write your awesome label here.
Real-world Experience
Be an Investor! Analyse live market data and make real investment recommendations.
Industry Exposure
Grow your network! Present to and network with leading investment professionals.
Skills for your CV
We will help you unlock your inner potential so you can excel in the investment management industry.
Prizes & Career Perks
Gain more than a certificate! Exclusive mentoring, outstanding qualifications, money prizes and access to exclusive events.
Still confused or unsure? Email us!
What are the prizes?
Our prizes are designed to recognise achievement, support career growth, and celebrate the hard work of all participants.
The top 5 teams will win:
The 2nd place team will win:
The winning team will win:
The top 5 teams will win:
- CISI student membership + 50% concession CISI qualifications (Worth £144 per student)
- Access to an expert mentor before the live final
- Access to support from Smartworks to utilise either before or after the live final
The 2nd place team will win:
- £250 society donation
- £100 for each team member
The winning team will win:
- Access to the CISI professional qualification course - Level 3 (Worth £266 per student)
- £500 society donation
- £200 for each team member
Course Lessons
Frequently asked questions
How will the programme be delivered?
The Challenge is delivered online, with live workshops and digital resources. The Key Skills Workshops will be delivered via Zoom, and recorded so you can watch them back. Your team can choose to meet virtually or in person depending on what works best for you. The Top 5 teams will be expected to deliver their final pitch in-person at our live final, which will be hosted in London on the afternoon of the 26th November.
What are the key programme dates I should be aware of?
Launch session – 7th October (5.30pm - 7.00pm)
Key Skills Workshop 1 – 14th October (5.30pm - 6.30pm)
Key Skills Workshop 2 – 21st October (5.30pm - 6.30pm)
Key Skills Workshop 3 – 28th October (5.30pm - 6.30pm)
Deadline for submissions – 4th November
Live final – 26th November
Key Skills Workshop 1 – 14th October (5.30pm - 6.30pm)
Key Skills Workshop 2 – 21st October (5.30pm - 6.30pm)
Key Skills Workshop 3 – 28th October (5.30pm - 6.30pm)
Deadline for submissions – 4th November
Live final – 26th November
What do the Key Skills Workshops involve?
The Key Skills Workshops are designed to teach you the fundamentals of researching, analysing and developing a stock pitch. Delivered by industry experts, they will be 1 hour long webinars that will include quick interactive tasks to check your learning, and end with time for questions from students.
You will attend the following sessions, covering key topics:
You will attend the following sessions, covering key topics:
- Launch Session - This session will introduce you to investing, the competition and run through how the programme will work. You will learn all the details, deadlines and meet some of your session facilitators.
- Key Skills Workshop 1 – Understanding the Data – Analysis & Evaluation Techniques
- Key Skills Workshop 2 – Preparing your Thesis & Stock Pitch
- Key Skills Workshop 3 – Presentation Skills & Responding to Questions
What happens if I miss a session or can’t attend live?
We ask that you prioritise attending live so you can ask questions and get involved, however we understand that sometimes you wont be able to attend live. All sessions will be recorded and made available on Learnworlds.
What resources and support will I have access to?
In addition to the Key Skills Workshops, we want to make sure you have all the support you need, so have created a resource hub on our learning platform, Learnworlds. Here you will find:
GAIN is also here to support you throughout the programme, so please get in touch if you need anything further or have any questions.
- Recommended reading introducing you to core investment concepts and wider themes
- Video content to support your understanding of the industry and example stock pitches
- Suggested sources to use during your research, and advice on where you can find key information when researching your company
- Supporting resources to help you throughout your research, including overviews of key financial metrics and a glossary of financial terminology
- Self directed tasks to support your own learning
- Access to recorded Key Skills Workshops and supporting resources
GAIN is also here to support you throughout the programme, so please get in touch if you need anything further or have any questions.
What do we need to submit as our end piece of work?
Your team will submit an investment stock pitch recommending your allocated company as a buy or sell. You will need to submit the following:
The deadline to submit is the 4th November.
- 5-8 minute long video presenting your stock pitch recommendation
- 5-8 page written report outlining your supporting research findings
The deadline to submit is the 4th November.
How do we submit our work?
There will be link on Learnworlds for each team to submit their video pitch and report. Please make sure that you coordinate within your teams to ensure that one 1 person has responsibility for uploading the work. This will help ensure it is only uploaded once, and that you do not miss the deadline.
We recommend not waiting until the last minute to upload your work in case you come across any issues.
We recommend not waiting until the last minute to upload your work in case you come across any issues.
How is it judged and who decides who makes the Top 5?
Your teams work will be judged by a panel of industry experts who are volunteers in GAINs network. All judges will have experience in creating, delivering and reviewing stock pitches themselves so know what to look for.
Judges will be provided with guidance and scoring criteria to make sure that all teams are reviewed to the same standards, and all teams work will be reviewed by more than 1 judge.
The Top 5 teams will be decided by the 5 highest scores, and then invited to the live final. There will be a panel of 5 judges at the live final, made up of senior industry experts, who will determine the winners and runners up.
Judges will be provided with guidance and scoring criteria to make sure that all teams are reviewed to the same standards, and all teams work will be reviewed by more than 1 judge.
The Top 5 teams will be decided by the 5 highest scores, and then invited to the live final. There will be a panel of 5 judges at the live final, made up of senior industry experts, who will determine the winners and runners up.
How will the winners be chosen?
The judges will assess each submission based on several key factors including:
- Overall persuasiveness of the investment pitch
- Depth of understanding and analysis of the financial factors
- Depth of understanding and explanation of the non-financial factors
- Creativity and professionalism of the stock pitch
- Quality of the written report
What happens at the Live Final?
The Top 5 teams will present their pitches to an audience of investment professionals and the judges panel. Each team will have a 10 minutes to present their pitch live, and then 10 minutes to answer questions from the judging panel.
Teams will have a space available, separate from the main presenting room, to prepare before their pitch and unwind afterwards.
After the presentations and winners have been announced, there will be a networking opportunity to meet employers, volunteers and industry role models.
Teams will have a space available, separate from the main presenting room, to prepare before their pitch and unwind afterwards.
After the presentations and winners have been announced, there will be a networking opportunity to meet employers, volunteers and industry role models.
Will we receive any feedback?
Yes, all teams will receive written feedback from judges following their video and report submission. The Top 5 teams will also receive feedback from their assigned mentor before the live final.
What skills will I develop?
The GAIN University Investment Challenge is designed to support your learning and improve your knowledge of the industry, but you will also develop some key skills along the way that will support you in your future career. These will include:
- Analytical and research skills
- Confidence in financial modelling and valuation
- Teamwork and leadership skills
- Communication and presentation skills
Will this help me in my career?
Absolutely, the Investment Challenge will help improve your knowledge and develop key skills that can support you in your future career. The experience will also strengthen your CV and give you real-world examples to discuss in applications and interviews.
Can I share that I'm taking part on social media?
Yes, please do share that you are involved on social media and LinkedIn. We would love to see your posts so make sure to tag GAIN UK (@gainuk_org)
Who do I contact if I have questions during the programme?
If you have any questions then please do get in touch with the Education Partnerships team and we’ll be happy to support. Please email us at education@gainuk.org.