Laurence Tido Njuko | 2025 Participant
Acquisition Analyst Intern | Swiss Life Asset Managers
Last year, I was offered a great internship at AEW thanks to my participation in The Students Challenge.
The Students Challenge
A global portfolio management competition by Natixis Investment Managers.
Manage $100M, work with top asset managers, and compete in the Grand Finale in Paris.
About the Challenge
What Is The Students Challenge?
An immersive, international competition that puts students at the heart of real-world asset management.
A 360° Experience as a Portfolio Manager
The Students Challenge by Natixis Investment Managers is a flagship virtual portfolio management competition open to students from universities and business schools worldwide — master's-level students in Europe and final-year undergraduates elsewhere.
Teams of 5–6 students manage a virtual multi-asset portfolio worth $100M. Their investment universe covers OECD equities and sovereign bonds, with up to 30% in ETFs for diversification. Participants are also encouraged to develop strategies that include private assets, extending their approach beyond traditional markets.
Sustainable investing is central to the simulation — requiring ESG criteria to be integrated into every allocation decision, reflecting the real-world practices of today's top asset managers.
Global Reach
Teams from Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Universities, business schools, and engineering schools are invited to participate.
Expert Mentorship
Each team is paired with two mentors from Natixis IM's asset managers for hands-on guidance.
Professional Tools
Access to the FactSet platform and ESG data from Morningstar | Sustainalytics — industry-standard resources.
Grand Finale in Paris
Three finalist teams present their strategies to a panel of senior investment professionals at the Paris Grand Finale.
How It Works
From Application to Finale
A structured journey that simulates the real challenges of professional asset management.
1
Apply
Form a team of 5–6 students from any institution. Apply during the November application window.
2
Get Selected
12 teams are selected from 100+ applicant teams based on the strength of their application and proposed investment approach.
3
Manage
Over 3 months, from February to May, manage your $100M virtual portfolio with real market data, mentor support, and ESG constraints.
4
Compete
In June, 3 finalist teams pitch their investment strategies to senior professionals at the Grand Finale in Paris.
Strategic Partners
Powered by Industry Leaders
The Challenge is built in partnership with world-class financial technology and data platforms.
FactSet
Participants get full access to FactSet's professional-grade financial data platform for research and portfolio analysis.
Morningstar | Sustainalytics
Industry-leading ESG risk ratings and data power every team's sustainable investment decisions.
Natixis IM Affiliates
Mentors from DNCA, Loomis Sayles, Mirova, Ostrum AM, Ossiam, VEGA Investment Solutions, and others, guide each team.
Mentor Network
Learn from the Best
Each team is paired with two expert mentors from one of Natixis IM's asset managers.
"The Students Challenge is far more than a competition; it is a unique platform where future finance professionals can develop their skills in an international and innovative setting. We value diversity in all its forms — academic, cultural and gender — because we are convinced that this diversity is key to developing meaningful solutions."
Global Chief Human Resources Officer & Global Chief Operations & Transformation Officer AWM
Natixis Investment Managers
Natixis Investment Managers
Alumni Voices
Where It Took Them
Former participants share what the Challenge changed for their career.
Badr-eddine Tahir | Member of 2025 Winning Team
Portfolio Manager (multi-asset) | Natixis Investment Managers Solutions
Participating in the Natixis Investment Managers Students Challenge was an incredibly rewarding and formative experience that successfully bridged the gap between academic financial theory and real-world asset management.
Anne-Sophie Santos Cordeiro | Member of 2021 Winning Team
Portfolio Manager (multi-asset) | VEGA Investment Solutions
It was a great experience for us, as it allowed us both to learn about the role of a portfolio manager and to interact with experienced professionals in the industry. The Challenge has not only expanded my skills in the field, but it had a decisive role in my career: it allowed me to pick up a temporary contract and then a permanent contract at the firm.
Rose Genevois | 2025 Participant
High Yield Credit Analyst Intern | Candriam
This challenge was definitely a key steppingstone that helped me get to where I am today, working at a highly reputable asset management firm in Paris. My recommendation is: don't wait to stumble upon a LinkedIn post, and apply directly to the Challenge.
Get Involved
Who Can Participate?
Whether you're a student, faculty member, or industry professional — there's a role for you.
University Students
Form a team of 5–6 from your school or across institutions. Master's students in Europe and final-year undergrads elsewhere are eligible.
Faculty Advisors
Sponsor a student team at your university. Guide students through the Challenge and help them build real-world financial skills.
Industry Mentors
Join the Natixis IM affiliate network as a mentor. Share your expertise in portfolio management and ESG investing with the next generation.
Ready to Take the Challenge?
Applications for the 7th edition open on November 3rd, 2026
Next Steps →