Finance Program: Stock Pitch Competition

The Department of Finance invites Kansas State University students to put their stock analysis skills to the test with $11,000 in prize money on the line in the new K-State Gates Capital Management Stock Pitch Competition. Register your team here by Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

 

Goal of the Competition

The goal of the competition is to create campus-wide interest in stock investing and encourage students to further develop their stock analysis skills.

General Overview

Teams will source and research their best stock investment idea. The analysis will need to consider both the qualitative (competitive advantage, management, corporate governance, etc.) and quantitative (valuation, ratio analysis, etc.) aspects of the company. Based on the written reports, the top five teams will be selected to present their plans to a panel of judges comprised of investment professionals. A minimum of $11,000 in prize money will be awarded. This is a great opportunity for students to develop both their analytical and presentation skills while interacting with investment professionals.

Requirements to Participate

• Each team will consist of 2-4 students.
• The competition is open to all K-State students from any major or college.

Registration

• Register your team here by Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
• Upon registration, team members will be added to a Canvas site with more information on the requirements.

Subject Company Requirements

$2 billion market cap

Stock price of at least $5

US-listed companies only

Pitch can be long (buy) or short (sell)

Initial Competition - Written Analysis

Each team will write a stock analysis paper consisting of:

Cover page with company name and each team member’s name

Written analysis of the company (business, management, industry analysis, competitive advantages, valuation, etc.) 5 page limit, double spaced with normal margins.

An appendix to support as necessary. No limit on appendix pages but only the written analysis will be graded

Reference page

Teams may use sources such as the internet, brokerage reports, and non-faculty business professionals as resources. Please cite all sources appropriately

 

Final Competition

Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
Time: 1:45 PM
Location: College of Business, BB 1088 Lecture Hall

Finals will be held live with a panel of industry professionals

The Top 5 teams will make a 10-minute limit presentation followed by a 10-minute limit Q&A.

Students and community will be welcome to attend the event

Prizes

1st place will be awarded $5,000

2nd place will be awarded $3,000

3rd place will be awarded $2,000

4th place will be awarded $500

5th place will be awarded $500

Top freshmen-only team will be awarded $500