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    Competition

    Teen Investor Cup

    by Teach Me Wall Street

    A guided investing competition where students manage a $100,000 virtual portfolio, respond to market movements and explain the strategy behind their decisions.

    Last verified: 17 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
    Teen Investor Cup

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    Teen Investor Cup at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Grades 8-12; individual entry

    Age range / Year group

    13-18

    Location / Region

    Online; international

    Cost

    $200; $597; $997

    Prize highlight

    $250 first prize

    Entry format

    Individual virtual portfolio

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder

    Teen Investor Cup summary

    Students manage a simulated $100,000 portfolio, buying stocks and ETFs while responding to real market movements.

    Weekly optional coaching and recordings add guidance, while the final strategy explanation rewards students who can justify their decisions rather than simply chase returns.

    It suits students who want practical experience of investment analysis, portfolio management and strategic thinking.

    What is Teen Investor Cup?

    The Teen Investor Cup is a guided investing competition organised by Teach Me Wall Street. Students use $100,000 in virtual cash to build and manage a portfolio of stocks and ETFs while following real market movements.

    The experience combines independent portfolio decisions with optional weekly coaching and recorded catch-up sessions. Performance matters, but students are also evaluated on how well they explain their investment strategy during the final week.

    Why Succeed highlights Teen Investor Cup

    • The $100,000 simulated portfolio turns finance concepts into decisions students must monitor and explain.

    • Judging combines portfolio performance with strategic reasoning, reducing the focus on returns alone.

    • Weekly coaching offers structured support without removing responsibility for individual decisions.

    • Every participant receives a certificate and digital badges, while the top ten receive cash prizes.

    • International call times and recordings make the coaching accessible across several time zones.

    Who is Teen Investor Cup for?

    Best for

    Students interested in finance, business or investing who want to practise portfolio decisions and explain their reasoning.

    Not ideal if

    You want a team-based challenge, cannot monitor a portfolio regularly or prefer a purely theoretical finance course.

    Is Teen Investor Cup worth it?

    It can be worthwhile for a student who will engage seriously with the portfolio and reflect on each decision. The combination of simulated trading, strategy explanation and coaching creates more academic value than a leaderboard alone.

    The main limitation is that participation is paid and investment returns over a short contest can be influenced by market timing. Its strongest value therefore comes from the student's analysis, learning and ability to explain decisions—not simply their finishing position.

    How much preparation does Teen Investor Cup need?

    Effort level

    Moderate and consistent.

    Best started

    Begin two to three weeks before the competition, especially if completing the five-hour beginner preparation.

    Main challenge

    Making disciplined decisions when market conditions change.

    Typical preparation

    • Complete the essential self-study modules before the first trading day if you are new to investing.

    • Practise reading stock trends and distinguishing stocks, bonds, ETFs and mutual funds.

    • Create a simple decision log covering the reason, risk and intended exit for each trade.

    • Test your explanations aloud before the final strategy assessment.

    Useful if

    You enjoy numbers, finance news and explaining your reasoning.

    What do students do on Teen Investor Cup?

    Students build and manage a virtual investment portfolio, monitor real markets and explain how their strategy changed over the competition.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Complete the essential investing modules before the start if entering as a new student.

    2. 2

      Receive $100,000 in virtual cash and build a portfolio of stocks and ETFs.

    3. 3

      Analyse market movements and adjust investments as conditions change.

    4. 4

      Join one optional coaching call each week or watch its recording.

    5. 5

      Track portfolio performance on the competition leaderboard.

    6. 6

      Explain the reasoning behind your investment strategy during the final week.

    Teen Investor Cup dates and deadlines

    Summer competition

    15 June-7 August 2026

    Orientation began 15 June; trading ended 31 July.

    Reference date

    Awards week

    Week of 3 August 2026

    Award ceremonies and competition closing.

    Reference date

    Fall competition

    28 September-20 November 2026

    Published fall competition period.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Students in Grades 8-12

    • International students may participate

    • Homeschool students may participate

    • Entries are individual, not team-based

    • Each sibling needs a separate account

    How much does Teen Investor Cup cost?

    Alumni entry

    $200 — Competition entry.

    Potential funding / awards

    • New student package: $597 — Competition plus self-paced preparation.
    • Elite coaching track: $997 — Adds personalised portfolio feedback and three private calls.
    • Sibling discount: 10% — Applies to both sibling registrations.

    What's included

    Competition entry for alumni, Wall Street 101 and Investing self-study for new students, One year of programme access for new students, Three private coaching calls in the Elite track, Weekly group coaching and recordings, Web-based simulated trading platform, Certificate of completion and digital badges

    How to enter Teen Investor Cup

    1. 1

      Choose the alumni, new-student or Elite Coaching competition path.

    2. 2

      Open the official sign-up form and create a separate account for each student.

    3. 3

      Provide the requested student and parent contact details.

    4. 4

      Select a preferred coaching time and pay the applicable registration fee.

    5. 5

      If you are a new student, complete at least half of the self-study modules before the competition begins.

    Submission requirements

    The competition centres on a web-based portfolio and a final explanation of the student's investment strategy.

    • Individual participation

    • Web-based virtual portfolio

    • Laptop or desktop with internet recommended

    • Investment strategy explanation in the final week

    Prizes and recognition

    1st Place

    The winner receives a cash prize.

    2nd Place

    The runner-up receives a cash prize.

    3rd-5th Place

    Each student in these positions receives cash.

    6th-10th Place

    Each student in these positions receives cash.

    All participants

    Every participant receives a completion certificate and digital badges.

    What this may help with

    Demonstrating sustained finance interest, strategic thinking and reflection.

    What it does not guarantee

    University admission, an internship or future investment performance.

    Judging criteria

    • Portfolio performance
    • Ability to explain the investment strategy
    • Strategic reasoning during the final week

    The organiser does not publish percentage weightings for the criteria.

    How to stand out

    1. Keep a decision log that records the evidence, risk and intended exit behind every trade.
    2. Show how new market information changed your view instead of defending every original choice.
    3. Explain unsuccessful trades honestly and identify what you would do differently.
    4. Balance return-seeking with clear risk management across the portfolio.
    5. Use charts and company research to support decisions rather than relying on headlines.
    6. Practise a concise final explanation that links portfolio results to your strategy.

    Teen Investor Cup FAQs

    No. New students can use the self-paced Wall Street and Investing programme to learn the essential foundations before competing.

    Yes. The competition is open internationally, and a coaching time is provided for students in Asia, the UK, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

    Yes. Homeschool students may enter under the same individual format.

    It is designed for individual students. Each participant manages their own account and portfolio.

    There is a one-hour optional coaching call. Most students spend an additional one to two hours managing their portfolio each week.

    A laptop or desktop with internet access is recommended. Trading takes place through a web-based platform.

    Calls are recorded and normally posted in the portal within 24 hours, allowing students to catch up.

    Every participant receives a certificate of completion and digital badges. Top performers receive additional prizes and recognition.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, programme quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Teach Me Wall Street: Virtual Wall Street Classes
    • 2026 Summer Wall Street and Investing Programs
    • High School Wall Street & Investing Extracurricular Programs for 2026
    • Teen investor Cup Investing Competition | High School Students | TMWS

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 17 Aug 2026)

    • Official competition page checked

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Prices cross-checked

    • Competition dates compared

    • Prizes verified

    • Judging criteria reviewed

    • Technology requirements checked

    • Refund terms reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current submission instructions before entering.