Building Connections at the MBA Stock Pitch Challenge
Cornell MBA students (from left: Harsh Singh, Mariana Ferreira, Ekta Kumar, Jay Li, and Raphael De Genova).
Before beginning my MBA journey, I had experience in asset management, primarily on the quantitative side. The MBA Stock Pitch Challenge, which brings together MBA students from 10 to 12 of the top graduate business schools in the country to demonstrate their stock-picking skills, presented a great opportunity to deepen my understanding of fundamental analysis and valuation.
I was thrilled to be selected as part of a three-member team representing Cornell University. My other teammates were Harsh Singh, MBA ’26 and Mariana Ferreira, MBA ’26. The team knew the event preparation would be demanding, but we were eager and ready to take on the challenge.
On the morning of October 29, teams received a basket of stocks for our pitches. The task required teams to prepare three pitches—one from the home builders industry, one from the AI/robotics industry, and one free choice of any company we wanted to analyze.
The teams had one week to research and prepare. During this time, the Cornell team collaborated closely to identify relevant information and refine our approach. Second-year MBA students were invaluable in guiding us through the process, sharing tips on preparing a pitch, introducing us to useful tools, and providing helpful resources.
Event Kickoff: Interviews, Networking Reception, and Dinner
On November 7, I arrived at Cornell Tech’s stunning campus on Roosevelt Island. All teams stayed at the Graduate Hotel, which provided breathtaking views of New York City.
The first day began with interviews with sponsor company representatives. I had the opportunity to interview with one of them. Rather than diving deep into technical questions, the company representative focused on getting to know me before seeing my skills in action the following day.
In the evening, all teams attended a networking reception—a fantastic opportunity to meet talented individuals pursuing equity research roles. We exchanged insights, shared experiences, and built meaningful connections. Many participants had prior experience in equity research, but some participants were newcomers to the field.
Presentation Day
On the second day, each team began by presenting two stock pitches. Only four teams would move on to the final round, where the teams would present their third pitch in front of the entire audience. Presenting and debating our analysis with an experienced panel of judges was an invaluable experience. I gained a great deal of insight from the judges’ feedback and the rigorous discussions.
Although the Cornell team performed exceptionally well, we were not selected as finalists. Nevertheless, our team was proud of how far we came and how well we represented our university.
During the final round, all participants gathered to watch the four finalists’ presentations. The quality of the finalist teams’ stock pitch presentations was impressive. I learned a lot from their analysis and delivery. The Wharton School team ultimately won the challenge, and their performance was nothing short of outstanding—a well-deserved victory.
Final Considerations on the Stock Pitching Experience
Participating in the MBA Stock Pitch Challenge was an incredible experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend events like this to any first-year MBA student interested in asset management or equity research. The process of preparing and delivering pitches teaches students far more than they might expect, and the insights are invaluable.
I want to extend my gratitude to the event organizer, Lakshmi Bhojraj, MBA ’01, executive director of the Parker Center for Investment Research, as well as to second-year MBA students Harrison Slater, MBA ’25 and Tristan Vu, MBA ’25, for their guidance and support as we learned the art of a stock pitch.
Finally, I extend a special thank you to my teammates. Achieving the results we did would not have been possible without their dedication and collaboration. I could not have asked for a better team to share this journey with. I am truly impressed by how far we have come in such a short amount of time.
About the Author
Raphael De Genova is a first-year MBA student in the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. He is involved in the Johnson Consulting Club, the Johnson High Tech Club, and the Latin American Business Association. Prior to pursuing his MBA, he was an artificial intelligence and analytics consultant at Gradus Management Consulting.