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YSIC Information
Youth Sustainable Investment Challenge™ 2026
A global middle and high school investment competition focused on real-market investment decision-making, ESG strategy, portfolio management, and community impact.
YSIC Details
What is YSIC™?
YSIC™ is a global middle and high school investment competition hosted by the Youth Entrepreneurship and Finance Association (YEFA). Students build comprehensive investment strategies centered around stock selection, asset allocation, risk management, ESG analysis, and real-world impact.
181Participating Teams in 2025
442Student Participants in 2025
12Countries and Regions
Global Platform
A global investment practice platform for youth
Students from different backgrounds and regions compete on the same platform through real-market simulation investing and strategic portfolio management. YSIC is not simply a competition — it is a global investment practice platform designed for the next generation of investors and leaders.
Top-performing teams have the opportunity to present their investment strategies and portfolio performance to Wall Street professionals and industry judges.
Benefits
What YSIC Provides
Virtual Investment Experience
Manage $1,000,000 in virtual capital in a real-market simulation environment.
Professional Judging
Compete alongside outstanding global students and engage with finance professionals.
Social Impact
Part of the prize funding may be used to support real community initiatives.
Evaluation
2026 Competition Scoring Weights
YSIC 2026 evaluates each phase with exact mathematical criteria and competitive advancement gates.
Round 1 Grading
- 50% Portfolio Performance
- 50% Impact Proposal Quality
- Top 60 teams advance to Round 2 based on their Portfolio and Impact Proposal
Round 2 Grading
- 60% Investment Strategy Quality
- 40% Impact Plan Viability
- Top 30 teams advance to Round 3
Round 3 Grading
- 50% Presentation Quality
- 25% Feasibility
- 25% Innovation
- Top 10 teams are invited to the live Virtual Summit
- Round 1: 50% Portfolio Performance + 50% Impact Proposal Quality
- Round 2: 60% Investment Strategy Quality + 40% Impact Plan Viability
- Round 3: 50% Presentation Quality + 25% Feasibility + 25% Innovation
Competition Rules
Technical Trading Mandates
These rules are hard gates for advancement and must be followed categorically.
Diversification Cap
Maximum 10% investment per individual stock or bond.
ESG Requirement
Every team must include at least one ESG-friendly stock to advance to Round 2.
Minimum Activity
Teams must complete at least 15 trades by the final submission.
Forbidden Assets
short selling, margin trading, and cryptocurrency are prohibited.
Community Impact
Five-Step Impact Action Framework
Identify a Challenge
Choose a real issue that matters: environment, educational equity, mental health, food insecurity, or another community challenge.
Connect Investment to Impact
Research companies addressing the issue or demonstrating strong ESG practices.
Create a $500 Action Plan
Explain how $500 could be used to create meaningful community impact.
Take Immediate Action
Complete one zero-cost action such as an educational video, classroom presentation, or interview.
Winning Teams Execute
Winning teams may receive up to $500 in impact funding, with additional YEFA support if needed.
Timeline
2026 Methodical Roadmap
The 2026 timeline is compressed, specific, and organized around clear advancement gates.
March 10, 2026
Registration & Launch
Registration opens and YSIC 2026 officially launches.
May 31, 2026
Round 1 Deadline
Round 1 closes. Top 60 teams advance to Round 2 based on Portfolio Performance and Impact Proposal Quality.
May 31 – July 5, 2026
Round 2 Duration
Teams develop investment strategy and impact planning materials. Top 30 teams advance to Round 3.
July 5 – July 27, 2026
Round 3 Duration
Teams complete investment and impact demonstrations. Round 3 is evaluated by presentation quality, feasibility, and innovation.
August 23, 2026
Final Summit
Top 10 teams are invited to the live Virtual Summit to present their investment and impact strategies to financial professionals.
Awards
Categorical Prize Logic
All participants receive a participation certificate. Top winners and advancing teams receive additional recognition and opportunities.
1st Place
$1000
$500 Personal / $500 Impact
2nd Place
$750
$450 Personal / $300 Impact
3rd Place
$600
$300 Personal / $300 Impact
People's Choice
$650
People's Choice Award
- Winners whose impact project costs are under $500 can receive supplemental funding from YEFA to reach a $500 implementation floor.
- Winners must document and verify implementation within three months to qualify for Wall Street recommendations.
Additional Benefits for Top 3
- Recommendation letter
- Two-week SCISS Elite Investment & Entrepreneurship Summer Program
Exclusive Champion Benefits
- Domestic and international media coverage
- Customized recommendation letters from Wall Street professional judges
- Priority access to internship and shadowing opportunities through YEFA partners
- Featured in YEFA’s Annual Impact Report
Register
Ready to Join YSIC 2026?
Join students from around the world and build your skills in investing, ESG research, leadership, and community impact.