We believe every student deserves the tools to build financial confidence early. Through friendly competition, mentorship, and hands-on investing experience, we're preparing the next generation to take control of their financial futures.
This competition has two pillars: the investment competition and the Beanstalk financial literacy competition. In the investment competition, students manage a simulated investment portfolio over the course of the competition, applying real financial concepts like market analysis, risk management, and long-term strategy. Beanstalk offers a built-in course with games and activities to boost financial literacy among students. Throughout the season, students compete against peers from high schools across California and beyond, tracking their performance on a live leaderboard. At the end of the competition, top-performing students are recognized for both their portfolio returns and their progress on the Beanstalk app.
Any high schooler in California and beyond is welcome to join the competition. Students create an account on both MarketWatch and the Beanstalk app through their separate competition portals, pairing both accounts under the same username so we can accurately track and combine each student's progress. No prior investing experience is required, just curiosity and a willingness to learn. Once registered, students get access to the MarketWatch-based competition and the Beanstalk app, and from there, they're ready to dive into the competition!
Students create accounts on both platforms they'll be using for the competition. To stay competitive, it's imperative that students use the same or a very similar username on their Beanstalk app and MarketWatch account, ideally their first and last name. Once in the competition, the MarketWatch portion awards students based on their earnings and portfolio structure. We aim to recognize students for a variety of commendable achievements, not just top returns. Additional elements will be included to supplement the MarketWatch competition and deepen the extent of analysis students engage in beyond portfolio returns.
If a student recruits 25+ students from their school, they will be given the leadership role of Program Ambassador for allowing us to stretch this competition even further. Bringing in 50+ students will make you a Competition Admin. Reaching 80+ students will make you an Executive Admin with direct access to competition leadership executives.
Ambassadorship Form →
