Press release
ATLAS and IE University kick off the ATLAS × IE Investment Challenge
Madrid, 13 October 2026.
ATLAS and IE University launched the ATLAS × IE Investment Challenge with a kickoff session on campus. Ten teams of students begin two weeks of investing with virtual capital in the real US market, using the ATLAS engine to analyse companies and ETFs, measure risk and build a portfolio as a team.
Each team starts with $1,000,000 in virtual capital and can buy or short-sell US stocks and ETFs. Every order needs the approval of three team members, so decisions are argued before they are made. Positions are valued at live market prices and the ranking updates throughout the trading day.
The challenge runs until 28 October. It awards three prizes: the highest total return, the best risk-adjusted return and the best investment thesis. A jury with members from Vanguard, Crédit Agricole CIB, IE University and ATLAS will review every team's report and presentation.
The kickoff also included talks from guest speakers on the difference between speculating and investing, and on how professional investors move from numbers to value.
- Teams
- 10 teams of 5
- Virtual capital
- $1,000,000 per team
- Market
- US stocks and ETFs, long and short
- Dates
- 13 – 28 October 2026
