Official rules
ATLAS × IE Investment Challenge.
The rules of the challenge, in one place. Run by ATLAS with IE University, October 2026.
Section 1
The challenge
- 01
What it is
The ATLAS × IE Investment Challenge is an educational investment simulation run by ATLAS with IE University. Teams invest virtual money in the real US market. No real money is invested or at risk at any point.
- 02
Dates
From 13 October 2026 to 28 October 2026. Trading closes on 28 October at 4:00 PM New York time (9:00 PM Madrid).
- 03
Teams
Ten teams of up to five students each. Enrollment is closed.
- 04
Starting capital
$1,000,000 of virtual capital per team.
Section 2
Trading rules
- 01
What you can trade
US-listed stocks and ETFs available on the Trading Desk, at real market prices.
- 02
Market and limit orders
A market order executes once it has its approvals, at the best price then available; if the market is closed it waits for the next open. A limit order fills only if the price reaches the one you set.
- 03
Buying and selling
You can sell all or part of a position at any time. A sell needs the same approvals as a buy.
- 04
Short selling
Allowed. A short needs the same approvals as any other order and is closed by buying the shares back. In total, short positions can reach at most 50% of the portfolio value; the Trading Desk shows how much room is left.
- 05
Cancelling
An order can be cancelled while it is still queued. Once executed, it can only be reversed with a new trade.
Section 3
Team decisions
- 01
Propose
Any member can propose a trade and must explain why. The proposer’s vote counts automatically.
- 02
Approve
An order needs 3 approvals from the team before it leaves the desk.
- 03
Expire
A proposal that does not get its approvals within 24 hours expires.
Section 4
Winning and ranking
- 01
Ranked by total return
All teams start with the same capital, so the ranking is the percentage return of the portfolio: cash plus the market value of all positions.
- 02
Tie-breaker
Lower volatility first, then the earlier approved trade.
- 03
Participation
ATLAS records every proposal, vote and message, so the contribution of each member is visible.
Section 5
Final submission
- 01
Written report
A PDF of up to 3 pages: strategy, key decisions and main takeaways.
- 02
Team presentation
PPTX or PDF, 5 minutes plus questions.
- 03
Deadline
ATLAS will publish the submission date on the platform and by email.
Section 6
Fair play and data
- 01
One account per person
Each student uses their own account and votes only for themselves.
- 02
No real money
Results are simulated. Nothing on the platform is investment advice.
- 03
Your data
ATLAS uses your activity on the platform to run the challenge and measure participation, as described in the privacy policy.
Questions
Write to ATLAS.
For anything about the rules, write to info@atlas-stocks.com or use the contact form inside the platform.