Aalto University victorious in the local Research Challenge

CFA Society Finland was thrilled to organize the local Research Challenge final on 27th February at the Hobo Helsinki Hotel. All the eight participating student teams did a tremendous job in researching this year’s subject company Kempower, and at the final event we witnessed the four finalist teams give superb presentations on the company. Thank you teams Aalto, Hanken, TalTech and Vaasa!

Our dedicated Research Challenge committee with Markku Leppälä, CFA, Antti Ihalainen, CFA, Onni Hautala, CFA and Tuomas Hillukkala, CFA have been working hard again this year to make the local competition running smoothly. At the final Markku and Antti kicked the event off with a small recap of the competition and final rules. It was then turn for the teams to present their research from the past months. 

The teams presented to a judge panel consisting of experienced finance professionals and we were happy to welcome Anne Brusila, eQ Asset Management, Antti Raappana, CFA, S-Pankki, Vesa Syrjäläinen, CFA, Varma, and Kari Vatanen, CFA, Elo. The judges had a chance to ask questions from each team after the 10-minute presentation. The question and answer sessions are an important part of the evaluation and students did well in answering the sometimes very tough questions.  

During the judges’ contemplation period, we welcomed Nikko Ruokangas, SEB, to present the students his career as an equity analyst. The students were really happy to hear a young professional presenting his career path after graduation and what goes on in an analyst’s everyday job.

After a tight competition and much discussion, the judges reached a decision, and the local winner was crowned. Congratulations Team Aalto University with Juuso Aitta, Anton Karttunen, Klaus Korhonen, Jaakko Lilius, and Kaius Vanne! We wish all the best of luck to the sub-regional round of the Research Challenge.

We want to thank all faculty advisors, mentors, graders and judges for participating in this great student competition. Volunteering your time and effort for the Research Challenge is immensely valued! Thank you also to Kempower and FactSet for taking part this year!

Thank you Pekka Lähteenmäki for photographing the event!

We wish to have top teams participate again next year from many Universities in Finland and Estonia!

Congratulations team Aalto: Kaius Vanne, Jaakko Lilius, Anton Karttunen, Juuso Aitta and Klaus Korhonen.