Student members of Appalachian State University's Bowden Investment Group (BIG) recently hosted a stock pitch competition at the university's Hickory campus, attracting a record 28 submissions spanning the country from California to New York and as far as the United Kingdom.
Student investment teams submitted their applications for the Sustainable Horizons Stock Pitch Competition, reflecting the growing national and international profile of the event.
Participants analyzed real companies and explained why their suggestions would be the best long‑term investments. The three highest-scoring teams were selected and invited to present their pitches live before a panel of industry judges in Hickory on March 27.
The judges, who all had ties to App State, evaluated the presentations on financial rigor, strategic insight and focus on demonstrating innovation, resilience, and responsible business practices.
Competition Results
- Rice University claimed first place and a $750 prize for its short position pitch on O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.
- New York University earned second place and a $500 prize with a long pitch on The Chemours Company.
- Middlebury College rounded out the podium, finishing third and earning $250 for a long pitch on Lululemon Athletica Inc.
Three student investment teams participated in the Sustainable Horizons Stock Pitch Competition on App State's Hickory Campus on March 27, 2026. Photo submitted
App State Ties
The judges were finance professionals Matt Ramundo, a former member of the Bowden Investment Group and Investment Banking Associate at Wells Fargo, Hannah Bagley, an App State alumna and Investment Banking Analyst at Regions, and Jimmy Said, a former BIG member and Structured Products Analyst at Wells Fargo.
The event featured a keynote address by Sam Kaufman, an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Finance, Banking & Insurance. He shared insights from a distinguished 25-year career in institutional fixed income sales.
With guidance from BIG faculty advisors, Dr. Brandy Hadley and Shawn Poole, BIG Portfolio Risk Managers Pearce Lowrey and Ethan Greene led the end-to-end planning and execution of the competition.
Real-world Experience
For BIG students, the Sustainable Horizons Stock Pitch Competition represents far more than an event; it is a capstone experience that touches every level of the organization.
Members Pearce Lowrey and Ethan Greene developed skills in event logistics, external communications, and professional coordination that complement their roles managing BIG's live portfolio.
Members at every level had meaningful exposure to the investment process from a new vantage point. Evaluating 28 pitch decks from some of the country's top student investment programs gave BIG analysts a rare opportunity to benchmark their own research and analytical frameworks against peers from institutions across the United States and the United Kingdom.
Engaging with competing Student Managed Investment Funds broadened BIG's professional network and opened the door to ongoing relationships with peer programs.
The event served as a powerful development opportunity for BIG's junior and incoming analysts. Observing live pitches from finalist teams and witnessing the standard of analysis required to compete at the national level gave newer members a concrete benchmark for the quality of work expected as they grow within the organization. For many, it was their first exposure to a formal investment presentation in a competitive, professional setting, an experience that will directly inform how they approach their own research within BIG's portfolio management process.
Although it was the third annual event, the 2026 competition marked the first year the Sustainable Horizons Stock Pitch Competition was held in person.
About the Bowden Investment Group
The Bowden Investment Group is the student-managed investment fund at Appalachian State University's Walker College of Business. Overseeing a live portfolio valued at approximately $450,000, BIG provides students with hands-on experience in equity research, portfolio management, and investment analysis, giving them real-world exposure to capital markets and preparing them for careers in finance and related fields. Learn more at https://finance.appstate.edu/bowden-investment-group.
Students present to a room of finance students and professional judges at App State's Hickory Campus on March 27.
Photo submitted