The Ben Graham Centre for Value Investing held its annual International MBA Stock Picking Competition in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on April 13, 2026.
Teams from MBA schools from around the world competed for $14,000 in cash prizes. Three finalist teams made presentations to a panel of distinguished value investors. On April 14, the finalist teams attended the Ben Graham Centre’s Value Investing Conference where the winners were announced.
REGISTRATION CLOSED
Competition Winners
Twenty-four teams registered for the 2026 International MBA Stock Picking Competition and contributed to the Competition's success. Schools that participated put forward excellent research reports in the first round of the Competition making the judges' choices for the final round challenging.
Three teams were selected to participate in the Competition finals held on April 13, 2026. The panel of judges was thoroughly impressed by all three presentations. The finalist teams were ranked as follows:
1st Place: Columbia Business School, Columbia University
Team members: Benjamin Flaum, Ian Lee, Tarun Sharma
2nd Place: Ivey School of Business, Western University
Team members: Chaitanya Gandhi, Joseph Rooney
3rd Place: Barna Management School
Team members: Ramon Frias, Daniel Lora, Yachelbys Vicente
Media Coverage
"A Lollapalooza for value investors: Inside Fairfax week in Toronto"
The Globe and Mail, April 27, 2026
"Columbia Business School claims top prize at Ivey's International MBA Stock Picking Competition"
Ivey News, April 15, 2026
"2026 International MBA Stock Picking Competition: Three Way Split Over This Small-Cap Boat Company"
Hedge Fund Alpha Media Coverage, April 14, 2026
Competition Photos
George Athanassakos' Welcome and Introductory Comments
Barna Management School presenting
Barna Management School Presenting 2
Barna Management School Q&A
Ivey Business School Presenting
Ivey Business School Presenting 2
Ivey Business School Q&A
Columbia Business School presenting
Columbia Business School presenting 2
Columbia Business School Q&A
Judges Deliberating and Watching Presenters
Judges during a presentation
George Athanassakos Closing Remarks
TEAM REGISTRATION
Team registration opened at 9:00 AM EST on October 13, 2025.
Teams, consisting of up to three students, registered by 11:59 PM EST on January 12, 2026.
Registration was capped at a maximum of 30 teams. Multiple teams per school could register and participate in the 1st round, but only 1 team per school may advance to the 2nd round.
ATTENDEE REGISTRATION
Attendee registration opened at 9:00 AM EST on January 13, 2026, and closed at 11:59 PM EST on March 31, 2026.
1st ROUND
‣ In the 1st round of the Competition, a list of stocks to choose from was shared with participating teams at 9:00 AM EST on January 19, 2026.
‣ Teams submitted a research report of their chosen stock to the Competition Managers by no later than February 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
‣ Three teams chosen as finalists (only 1 team per school) were notified by 3:59 PM EST on February 27, 2026.
2nd ROUND
‣ In the 2nd round of the Competition, a new company to analyze and value was given to each finalist team at 9:00 AM EST on March 20, 2026. This stock was the same for all finalist teams.
‣ Each finalist team submitted their final PowerPoint presentation, no later than 7:59 AM EST, on April 3, 2026, to the Competition Managers.
‣ Each finalist team was invited to present their respective analyses on April 13, 2026, to a panel of distinguished value investors.
‣ The finalist teams was also invited to attend the Ben Graham Centre’s 2026 Value Investing Conference on April 14, 2026, where the winners were announced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
‣ Each of the top three finalist teams are guaranteed a cash prize, with first place awarded $8,000, second place $4,000 and third place $2,000.
Learn More about the Competition
Thank you to our Donors
We would like to thank our donors for their generous support. Platinum Donors: Burgundy Asset Management Ltd., Robotti & Company Advisors, and Stacey Muirhead Capital Management. Gold Donors: Bristol Gate Capital Partners Inc., The Center for the Advancement of Value Investing Education, and The Peter Cundill Foundation. Silver Donors: Fairbank Investment Management Limited, Highwood Value Partners, Lionridge Capital Management, and Peters MacGregor Capital Management.
