10th Index Investment Challenge names top student investor

The 10th annual Index Investment Challenge culminated in a grand finale at the Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW), showcasing the investment acumen of nearly 3,500 students and vocational school attendees from across Poland. The competition, which spanned over two months, aimed to foster financial education and cultivate future capital market professionals.

Ten top investors qualified for the final, held on June 11, 2026. They navigated simulated real-market conditions, making investment decisions in stocks, ETFs, and futures contracts. The goal was to achieve the highest rate of return. Maksymilian Kruszyński from Warsaw University of Technology emerged victorious in the final round, posting a return of 1.93%. Łucja Pelc from Cracow University of Economics secured second place with 1.84%, and Aleksandra Tarnówka from Jagiellonian University in Krakow took third with 1.69%.

Beyond the live finale, the overall two-month competition saw Sebastian Klocek, also from Cracow University of Economics, achieve an outstanding return of 225.27%. Dominika Niewiadomska-Siniecka, a member of the GPW Management Board, expressed her admiration for the participants' knowledge, skills, and investment maturity. "The scale of the project – with the participation of about 3,500 students – shows how great is the interest of young people in financial education and the capital market," she noted, also highlighting the increasing involvement of women in the field.

The challenge awarded prizes to the top performers. In the final round, Kruszyński received 4,000 Polish złoty, Pelc 2,500 zł, and Tarnówka 1,500 zł. For the overall two-month competition, Klocek received 7,500 zł, a one-month internship at GPW, and other benefits. The event underscores the growing importance of investment education for young Poles.

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The final of the Index Investment Challenge competition made a huge impression on me. Impressive were not only the achieved rates of return, but above all the knowledge, skills, and investment maturity of the participants, which allowed them to achieve these results. The scale of the project – with the participation of about 3,500 students – shows how great is the interest of young people in financial education and the capital market. Particularly important is also the growing involvement of women, which is confirmed by their presence in the final. Index Investment Challenge is a tool supporting the development of investment competencies and building a base of future analysts and investors, who will co-create the capital market in the coming years.