Luban Youth-led nonprofit
  • 2026 event
  • Registration closed

Paper Trading Simulation

Manage a portfolio of stocks, ETFs and crypto from October 14 to November 14, learn the basics of trading, and compete for cash prizes online.

Open the Market Lab How to use the simulator
How it works

Questions? Email the event team

Start with the basics. Finish with a portfolio.

Any level of skill is welcome. The month runs in three parts, and the step-by-step guide shows where every button in the Market Lab is and what it does.

  1. Learn

    Resources and lessons cover the basics of managing a portfolio and trading. Weekly info sessions bring in guest speakers.

  2. Trade

    Your team starts with $100,000 in simulated cash and trades stocks, ETFs and crypto in the Market Lab until November 14.

  3. Compete

    When the simulation closes, the three teams with the highest portfolio values win cash prizes.

The Luban Market Lab showing a team portfolio with its holdings, a stock quote with its price chart and order ticket, the team watchlist, and the competition leaderboard
The Market Lab. See how to use it.

2026 schedule

Registration is closed. The simulation runs online for a month, from October 14 to November 14. Weekly information sessions happen during the event, and we'll send session dates to participants by email.

  1. Done

    Registration

    Registration is closed

    Teams are set. Every participant signs in to the Market Lab with the email they registered with.

  2. Start

    Portfolio simulation begins

    Trading opens in the Market Lab. Every team starts with $100,000 in simulated cash.

  3. During the event

    Lessons and guest sessions

    Resources, lessons, and weekly information sessions support participants as they learn the basics of portfolio management and trading.

  4. End

    Final values are compared

    The team with the highest portfolio value by the end of the event receives the first-place cash prize.

Cash prizes for the top three teams

The three teams with the highest portfolio values when the simulation closes win cash prizes, split evenly among each team's members. The full terms are in the contest rules.

  1. First place

    $500 cash prize, split among team members.

  2. Second place

    $200 cash prize, split among team members.

  3. Third place

    $100 cash prize, split among team members.

Participation FAQ

Questions about entry, team matching, learning support, and registration are answered below.

Make your first trade count

The 2026 simulation runs online from October 14 to November 14. Sign in to the Market Lab to trade, and read the guide if you’re not sure where to start.

All trading uses simulated money. The simulation and its lessons are for education only and aren’t investment advice.

Open the Market Lab

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