In the field of personal finance and investment, time favors those who make decisions early. Understanding concepts such as saving, investing at an early stage, or distinguishing between active and passive strategies should not be the exception, but rather part of a well-rounded basic education. These are essential skills for making informed and confident financial decisions.
With this goal in mind, the CIS University Investment Club is reopening its doors for the 2025–2026 academic year, providing students with a space to learn and actively engage with the world of investing—an area that is increasingly relevant to both daily life and professional development. Led by Professor Ricardo Estellés, the club’s president and spokesperson, and student Sebastián Mandel, vice president and content coordinator, the club remains faithful to its philosophy of “learning by doing.” This approach allows members to gain hands-on experience through company valuation exercises, case analyses, and investment simulations.
Among the main innovations of this new season is the expansion of the club’s activity calendar. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a diverse array of sessions, including “Pitch Your Portfolio!”, reviews of classic investment literature, debates on cryptocurrencies, personal finance workshops, talks on the use of artificial intelligence in investing, and analyses of leading investors’ strategies, alongside regular market updates and guest lectures.
The well-established Portfolio Challenge will once again be a cornerstone of the club. This stock market simulation, conducted with no real money, invites each participant to create a portfolio of up to five stocks or ETFs with a simulated capital of $100,000, allocating percentages to each investment at their discretion. Students must track the performance of their assets, document each step of the process, and share their results with fellow club members. The first checkpoint will take place on December 31, 2025, and the competition will conclude on May 31, 2026, when the top three investors will be recognized.
This year, the club will also acknowledge student engagement through three levels of participation: Silver for those who attend regularly and actively contribute to sessions; Gold for those who, in addition, join the Investment Challenge; and Platinum for those who not only meet the previous criteria but also deliver a presentation to their peers. Beyond the certificate itself, the experience gained is what truly strengthens and enriches their academic and professional profiles.
Professor Estellés summarizes it well: “This is a club, not a class or a course. We are here to learn together, to grow, and to enjoy the process. And what every club member should keep in mind is that the best investment you can make today is in your financial education for tomorrow.”