The GAIN Investment Challenge

The GAIN Investment Challenge is our annual stock pitch competition which aims to provide young women and non-binary students in years 10 to 13 with a unique insight into the world of investment management and key analysis skills.

Each participating team, consisting of 3-5 students, will be assigned a company (the stock) to research. Guided by industry experts and supported by an investment mentor during the school spring term - over 7 online sessions - students will advise on whether to buy, hold, or sell the stock as a potential investment opportunity.

Schools can register for up to 3 teams to take part from 23rd September to 17th November 2024 and the Challenge runs from January to March 2025.

Pupils must be studying in England or Wales (if you are in Scotland, please visit our friends at Future Asset to check out their competition)

What is the challenge?

Female students at a table in discussion
Winners of the 2023 GAIN Investment Challenge with their prize cheque

What are the prizes?

The winning team will be awarded a prize of £1000 for their school and a £200 voucher for each individual team member. 

Runners up will receive £500 for their school and £100 voucher per team member.  

The winners and runners up will be invited to attend an event in the Summer to collect their prizes and visit an investment firm where they will meet inspirational women from across the industry.

The 2024 GAIN Investment Challenge prizes were kindly donated by CISI.

Challenge Highlights

  • Professional Mentorship

    Teams will be supported by an investment industry mentor who will guide them through the process.

  • Final Presentation

    At the end of the challenge, each team will submit a persuasive 3-5 minute video stock pitch along with a written report. Offering them the opportunity to gain valuable employability skills in the process.

  • Research & Guidance

    Teams will learn how to conduct research into all aspects of their assigned company to make their investment case. A skill which will be very useful in their future careers.

Mentors

  • Schools will be matched with an investment industry mentor who will advise on sourcing information, explain investment terms, deliver presentations, and provide feedback for draft pitches.

  • Students will have at least 3 mentoring sessions over the course of the challenge.

Recorded Video Sessions

  • Students will attend weekly live sessions delivered by industry experts, where they will learn how to analyze a company and develop their stock pitch.

  • All sessions will be recorded and shared with students each week.

Weekly Session Breakdown

  1. What to consider when analyzing a company - market and competitive analysis, industry dynamics & company positioning.

  2. How does the company make money? - business model analysis, investment return drivers & risks.

  3. Investment fundamentals - forecasting revenues, earnings, and cash flow.

  4. What are the non-financial success factors? - qualitative factors, ESG & sustainability overview.

  5. Creating an investment hypothesis - distilling and presenting the valuation.

  6. Bringing it all together - decide on your investment recommendation and develop your pitch.

Students in discussion at a table

Why take part?

The GAIN Investment Challenge encourages students to learn about a company’s operations, profitability and sustainability. 

  • Teams are provided with the opportunity to engage with real investment professionals and find out their experiences of working in the industry. 

  • Teams will develop vital employability skills in research, data analysis, debating and advocating, analysing written and numerical information and presentation skills.  

  • The GAIN Investment Challenge is a great addition to CVs and university applications.

Email education@gainuk.org if you have any questions.

Meet our 2024 winners!

2024’s winning team were from The Abbey School in Reading.

  • The team were 1 of 108 teams taking part in the challenge in 2024, from schools all across England. 

  • Made up of year 11 & year 12 students, the team analysed M&S and produced a fantastic stock pitch that won over the judges.

  • They had fierce competition from other teams, but ultimately won out throughout their detailed report and convincing pitch!

Join us on the GAIN Meets podcast as we hear from Aanya, Abbie, Charlotte, Hayley and Kashvi about their experience taking part & why they think YOU should get involved next year!

Want to hear what the teams thought about the challenge?

We’ve had some great write ups from teams taking part in 2024 - if you’d like to hear direct from them & the schools they represent, click the links below:

Winners: The Abbey School

Croydon High School

Oakham School

Southbank University Sixth Form

  • “Thank you so much for the opportunity to take this part in this competition. We had so much fun and learnt a lot of new things in the process. ”

  • “I am delighted to see such good quality work from 15-18 year old teenaged girls. This is truly incredible and gives me a lot of hope for the future of the investment industry.”

  • “Keep up the great work, our girls have seen a wonderful insight into the world of investment and are thirsty for more! ”

  • “This exciting new initiative from GAIN is exactly what is required to engage young women with a career path that they might never have considered. I loved the whole thing. "

  • “I just wanted to say how much the students have enjoyed the challenge - they have learnt so much and developed a real interest in the area. ”

  • "Thank you for this extremely insightful and informative experience, we have managed to investigate many new aspects of investment. ”

  • In addition to the 1 hour live session each week, we recommend a further 1-2 hours per week to work on their research and stock pitch. Students will also receive mentoring sessions throughout the challenge, and we recommend these last between 30mins – 1 hour every couple of weeks.

  • No knowledge of investment management or finance is required, we only ask for you to bring enthusiasm and critical thinking to the challenge.

  • It is a common misconception that a background in economics and maths subjects is needed in the field of investment management. This is definitely not the case and not necessary for the challenge which focuses on collaboration and problem solving.

  • No, all other members of school staff are welcome to take on this role.

  • It is up to individual teams where they decide to undertake the challenge. Whether this is during school lunchtimes or after school. All content will be delivered online.

FAQs

  • When registration opens, we will share the link on this page & on our social channels.

  • In 2024 we had 108 teams take part in the challenge, from schools all across England. Next year we are hoping for even more teams to take part!

  • After applying all schools/pupils will be required to complete consent forms to be a part of the competition. Teams will be confirmed by GAIN and only once we have received the consent forms.

  • The challenge sessions typically run from mid January to early March with a week break for half term. Students will then have another 2 weeks to submit their video and research.