The countdown to the CFA Research Challenge 2026 is on, and EADA Business School is proud to announce two talented student teams ready to compete! This prestigious global competition, organised by the CFA Institute - the world’s leading association for investment management professionals—gives thousands of students from top universities the chance to showcase their financial expertise.
This year, the spotlight is on Laboratorios Rovi, S.A., and our teams are preparing to deliver comprehensive equity research reports that go beyond the numbers.
From detailed financial analysis and company valuation to share price estimates and investment recommendations, EADA students will demonstrate the analytical rigor and strategic insight that define the next generation of finance professionals. Guided by experienced mentors and evaluated by a panel of industry experts, our teams are ready to bring precision, creativity, and actionable insights to the Challenge.
As Jaume Bonet, the programme director, says: “Participating in the CFA Research Challenge is an excellent opportunity for our students to put in practice, in a real situation, all the different concepts and methodologies that they have learned in class. Candidates must be selected based on their motivation letter and their presentation skills and will learn to work under pressure due to the short deadlines and the competitive environment.”
Meet EADA’s 2026 teams!
Team 1
(from left to right):Ólíver Hólm Jóhannsson, Ilina Milosheska, Klaas Weinrich, Alexine Geldhof, and Alysa Palomino.
Team 2
(from left to right): Matteo Ferrigno, Martina Camusso, Luca Speroni, Vidya Puthalapattu, Sara Carrillo Valero
Why Our Students Joined
EADA students are motivated by the opportunity to apply theory in practice and challenge themselves beyond the classroom. To understand their motivations, we asked the CFA Research Challenge participants why they decided to join.
“I wanted to push myself outside the classroom and see what real investment analysis feels like, while working with a highly motivated team,” shares Ilina Milosheska.
“I was encouraged to participate because of the high academic level it represents and I considered it a key step toward my professional goals,” adds Klaas Weinrich.
“We’re going to have classes about these topics, but being able to apply them to research in a real-time situation is very stimulating,” explains Luca Speroni.
“Collaborating with ambitious peers and benchmarking ourselves against top schools is what drew me to the Challenge,” says Ólíver Hólm.
These insights show that for EADA students, the Challenge is not just an academic exercise, but a meaningful opportunity to grow, test themselves, and engage in real-world finance work.
What They Are Most Excited About
Here, our students explain what excites them most about the Challenge. Their responses reflect a strong mix of intellectual curiosity, teamwork, and professional ambition.
“Valuing a real listed company and defending it in front of professionals is an incredible opportunity,” says Alexine Geldhof.
“I’m excited to work with an excellent team toward something meaningful and grow personally and professionally,” shares Alyssa Palomino.
“I’m most excited about the meetings with our tutor and team, where we’ll learn a lot, work hard, and strengthen our bond,” adds Klaas Weinrich.
“Diving deep into the research process and transforming complex financial data into clear, insightful analysis is what excites me the most,” explains Vidya Puhtalapattu.
“Collaborating with a diverse and motivated team while applying what we’ve learned in the classroom makes the experience truly rewarding,” reflects Ólíver Hólm.
Together, these perspectives highlight that EADA students value not only the final outcome, but also the learning process itself — collaboration, mentorship, and turning theory into actionable insights.
The Challenge They Face
Working on Laboratorios Rovi, S.A. will be intense, requiring students to balance technical rigor, time management, and teamwork. We asked the teams about the challenges they anticipate.
“Combining depth and accuracy within a limited amount of time requires strong attention to detail,” notes Alexine Geldhof.
“Building the valuation model, coordinating within the team, and managing deadlines alongside our Master’s workload will be challenging,” says Klaas Weinrich.
“Synthesizing financial, economic, and qualitative information into a solid recommendation while keeping the analysis clear and convincing is the toughest part,” explains Vidya Puhtalapattu.
“Balancing research, valuation, and teamwork under pressure mirrors real investment roles, and that’s what makes it so valuable,” adds Martina Camusso.
“Working with an ambitious team and applying our skills in a real-world setting is both challenging and incredibly rewarding,” reflects Ólíver Hólm.
These reflections show that the Challenge pushes students to grow not only academically, but also in collaboration, leadership, and resilience.
Looking Ahead: What 2026 Holds
The 2025 to 2026 CFA Research Challenge has begun, and EADA’s teams are already working towards the local and regional rounds. More than a competition, the Challenge is a transformative learning experience.
For EADA students, it is a chance to test analytical and communication skills, collaborate with motivated peers, and apply classroom knowledge to real-world financial analysis. With Laboratorios Rovi, S.A. as this year’s focus, the teams are ready to demonstrate their abilities and make EADA proud.
This journey demands technical expertise, teamwork, and resilience while giving students practical experience and the chance to represent EADA on an international stage.