Florida Investment Conference
Dive into finance. Deliver a stock-pitch and listen to leading financial keynote speakers.
The Florida Investment Conference introduces students interested in finance to leading finance industry officials via a stock pitch competition. Winning teams split $6,000 in cash prizes.
Hosted by the Warrington College of Business’s Gator Student Investment Fund and Finance Professional Development Program, the Florida Investment Conference’s purpose is two fold: to expose students to speakers who deliver keynote speeches and competition judges from hedge funds, institutional asset management, private equity, investment banking and alternative investing.
Join the competition
Student teams from across North America are invited to attend and/or participate in the stock pitch competition. The application typically opens in the fall semester.
Conference agenda
The conference consists of the following:
- Networking reception
- Check-in and breakfast
- Preliminary round
- Career panel
- Lunch
- Keynote speaker
- Investor panel
- First-round feedback
- Final round competition
- Closing remarks
Featured speakers
Scott Friedman
Cofounder & Partner of Soroban Capital Partners
Jon Korngold
Head of Blackstone Growth
Derik Coffey
Director of Quantitative Analysis at Channing Capital Management
Past speakers & panelists
| Elliott Campbell | Principal, HarbourVest |
| Johnny Ringo | VP, Evercore |
| David Schultz | Director, Solomon Partners |
| Will Harrell | Principal at Capco Asset Management |
| Ian Lane | Managing Director, Harbourvest |
| Michael Lean | Advisor, Avala Global |
Past participants
| Auburn University | University of South Carolina |
| Columbia University | University of Chicago |
| Florida State University | University of Florida |
| Georgetown University | University of Miami |
| Harvard University | University of Michigan |
| Kansas State University | University of South Florida |
| Northeastern University | University of Southern California |
| Northwestern University | University of Texas at Austin |
| Pennsylvania State University | University of Virginia |
| Stetson University | University of Western Ontario |
| University of Pennsylvania |
The stock pitch competition
The conference features a stock pitch competition that prepares students for success in the real-world.
- Teams of two-to-four undergraduates will pitch an equity — long or short.
- Equities must trade on either the NYSE or NASDAQ with a market capitalization over $500mm.
- Pitches should introduce the company, provide a clear thesis on why the company is undervalued and lay out an analysis to support each claim.
- Pitches should emphasize a differentiated view from the market, supported by detailed analysis.
- Applications must include a one-to-two page submission highlighting the proposed investment.
- Applications should be in PDF format, with Times New Roman 12 point font and one-inch margins.
- Submit application by due date.
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Additional scheduling and logistical information will be provided upon admission.
- Selected competitors will present to a panel of judges on the morning of the conference.
- PowerPoint/PDF format, with 15 slides maximum. Appendix allowed.
- Finalists will present in front of all conference attendees for a chance to win $6,000 in prizes.
- Presentations will be 12 minutes, followed by eight minutes of Q&A from judges.
- All teams must have a faculty member sponsor their application.
- Teams selected as finalists must pay a $50 participation fee.
Timeline
- Applications Close — January 4th, 2026
- Finalists Notified — January 7th, 2026
- Finalists Accept & Pay $50 Fee — by January 12th, 2026
- FIC 2026 Conference: February 6–7, 2026
UF bracket (Freshmen and Sophomores)
- UF teams not allowed to apply to regular stock pitch competition, but UF freshman & sophomores can apply to a UF-only bracket
- Preliminary round judged by UF seniors — February 4th, 2026
- Final round — February 6th, 2026
- UF finalists are invited to attend the conference reception
Travel information
The conference is held at the Warrington College of Business on the University of Florida campus. Several airports and hotels provide convenient options for participants.
Airports
- Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV)
15-min drive - Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
1.5-hour drive - Orlando International Airport (MCO)
2-hour drive - Tampa International Airport (TPA)
2-hour drive
Hotels
- AC Hotel Gainesville Downtown
0.1 miles - Holiday Inn Gainesville
0.2 miles - Hyatt Place Downtown Gainesville
1.1 miles - Sweetwater Branch Inn
1.3 miles
Contact information
For Faculty Inquiries:
- Dr. Maxim Dolinsky — Director of Finance Professional Development
maxim.dolinsky@warrington.ufl.edu - Annabelle (Groux) Dobson — Assistant Director of Finance Professional Development
annabelle.groux@warrington.ufl.edu
For Student Leadership Inquiries:
- Robert Craig — Senior Advisor
robert.craig@ufl.edu - Watson Hewitt — Director
thewitt@ufl.edu