Global research-driven quantitative trading firm IMC announces the return of Prosperity, its global trading-simulation challenge for STEM university students. Kicking off on April 14, the 16-day challenge invites participants from around the world to develop new skills and industry insights, while demonstrating they have what it takes to problem-solve at a leading trading firm.

“We’re excited to welcome both new and returning players to the latest edition of Prosperity, said Michiel Knoers, IMC’s Chief Trading Officer. “Designed by IMC’s quants, traders, and engineers, the competition is an innovative learning experience grounded in real market dynamics. Participants must think several moves ahead, deploy research-driven strategies, and execute with speed and precision. Prosperity is more than competing in a trading simulation; it’s an opportunity to kick off a career in trading.”

First launched by IMC in 2023, Prosperity is a standout strategic hiring initiative that gives participants the opportunity to experience the trading profession in an engaging and immersive format. In 2025, the challenge welcomed 22,600 players and over 12,600 teams, representing more than 500 universities worldwide. As in previous years, several standout performers went on to secure internships or graduate positions with IMC teams around the world.

This year’s competition, Prosperity 4, provides an updated player experience, including a brand-new “outer space” theme. Competitors will also take on five newly designed manual and algorithmic trading challenges that closely reflect real-world market conditions, providing unique learning opportunities around market making, options trading, risk analysis, and more.

The team or individual that completes the competition with the highest profit in Prosperity’s official virtual currency will be crowned IMC Global Trading Talent of the Year and receive a USD 25,000 cash prize. The remaining USD 25,000 prize money will be divided between participants placing 2nd to 5th in the rankings, with a USD 5,000 prize awarded to the Best Manual Trader.

Contestants can register to take part, either individually or as part of a team, at prosperity.imc.com.

About IMC

IMC is a global research-driven quantitative trading firm. Since 1989, we’ve been a stabilizing force in financial markets, providing essential liquidity upon which market participants depend. Across our offices in the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific, our talented quant researchers, engineers, traders, and business operations professionals are united by our uniquely collaborative, high-performance culture, and our commitment to giving back. From entering dynamic new markets to embracing disruptive technologies, and from developing an innovative research environment to diversifying our trading strategies, we dare to continuously innovate and collaborate to succeed.

Media Contact
Matthew Rose, Global Head of Marketing
Matthew.rose@imc.com