Rotman Portfolio Management Competition (RPMC) | October – December 2024
As a competitor in the 2024 Rotman Portfolio Management Competition (RPMC), I engaged in a two-phase challenge that tested my skills in market analytics and portfolio management.
- Phase 1: Market Analytics – Conducted in-depth quantitative analysis of historical equity data, developing an investment strategy grounded in financial theory and empirical research.
- Phase 2: Portfolio Management – Managed a $1 million CAD simulated portfolio using the Rotman Portfolio Manager platform, applying our analytical findings to optimize risk-adjusted returns.
- Active Trading & Risk Management – Implemented real-time trading strategies, continuously rebalancing the portfolio to maximize the Sharpe ratio and alpha while ensuring sector diversification.
Results & Takeaways
- Our approach blended fundamental analysis with discretionary decision-making, allowing flexibility in market shifts.
- The top-down strategy provided a structured framework for stock selection and risk management.
- The experience enhanced our portfolio construction, valuation, and active management skills, preparing us for real-world asset management challenges.
Guidehouse Case Competition – Finalist | November 2024
As a finalist in the Guidehouse Case Competition, I worked on a strategic consulting case for a Canadian vertically integrated utility and crown corporation. The challenge centered around evaluating the feasibility of incentivizing new data centers onto the provincial grid. Our team analyzed macroeconomic trends, regulatory considerations, market dynamics, and provincial decarbonization objectives to develop a data-driven recommendation.
Key Contributions:
✅ Energy & Market Analysis – Assessed electricity demand, grid capacity, and economic benefits of data center integration
✅ Regulatory & Policy Strategy – Evaluated government incentives, sustainability targets, and competitive positioning
✅ Financial & Risk Assessment – Modeled potential cost structures and revenue implications for the utility
✅ Finalist Presentation – One of the top 3 teams selected to present at the Guidehouse Office
Results & Takeaways
- Our solution combined strategic market development with collaborative planning, creating a clear path for BC Hydro to integrate data centres effectively into the provincial grid.
- The scalable suite model we proposed provided a comprehensive framework for energy management, incentives, and long-term planning, ensuring sustainability and scalability.
- This experience enhanced our ability to balance economic growth with environmental goals, strengthen our forecasting and risk management skills, and better understand the complexities of energy infrastructure integration in the real world.
This experience reinforced my expertise in energy markets, strategic consulting, and financial modeling, while providing hands-on exposure to the intersection of sustainability, infrastructure, and technology.
Problem Hunt Kickoff | Koru | November 2024
In November 2024, I participated in the Problem Hunt Kickoff, a competitive problem discovery and concept development event sponsored by Koru, a cutting-edge institutional investor venture studio part of OTPP. This event provided a dynamic opportunity to collaborate with cross-functional teams to explore innovative solutions within complex industry problems.
The Problem Hunt focused on identifying unsolved or under-solved issues that could be tackled using innovative technologies and business models. Through Koru’s methodology, we moved from market discovery to concept development, exploring frictions, personas, competitive landscapes, and validating business potential.
Our proposed CRM solution targetted North American accounting firms facing key challenges such as lack of software integration, data security risks, high CRM costs, and inefficient task management. Our product was a modular SaaS platform that integrates essential CRM features with advanced AI-powered automation. Key differentiators include:
- AI-Powered Automation: Streamlines routine tasks, reducing workload for client support and increasing customer satisfaction.
- Increased Accountant Efficiency: Automates financial document processing, cutting client processing time by 50%.
- Flexible Accountant Rental: Offers temporary accountant services during peak workloads, allowing firms to scale without compromising quality.
- Modular System: Firms can purchase additional modules as needed, ensuring cost efficiency and avoiding unnecessary features.
With a focus on core functionality, essential document management, time tracking, invoicing, and mobile access, the platform aimed to provide accounting firms with a premium, flexible solution that boosts efficiency while addressing unique industry needs.
The experience sharpened my ability to conduct market discovery, develop actionable insights, and test hypotheses to reduce risk in early-stage ventures. It also strengthened my skills in presenting structured findings to a panel of judges and refining ideas based on real-world business viability.
Sun Life Capital Management Portfolio Management Case Competition | September 2024
In September 2024, I participated in the SLC Management Portfolio Management Case Competition. The challenge was to devise a strategy to help a USD 500M pension fund recover from recent volatility in the equities market over a 5-year period. The goal was to maximize portfolio returns on a risk-adjusted basis using ETFs, while navigating challenges such as liquidity, currency exposure, and limited back-testing opportunities.
The competition emphasized the application of macroeconomic analysis, security analysis, portfolio risk management, and strategy construction. Teams of 3-4 members were tasked with submitting a detailed macro thesis, portfolio allocation, and a presentation that demonstrated analytical rigor, insight generation, and risk management. Our team crafted a differentiated investment strategy for the Workers Pension Fund with a focus on managing risk and capturing opportunities in an evolving economic landscape. The strategy featured a dynamic approach, combining active equity management, flexible bond strategies, and targeted risk management techniques.
Key Strategic Insights:
- Active Equity Management: Sector rotations emphasized energy, technology, and emerging markets, with a strong focus on clean energy and AI-driven growth.
- Fixed Income & Alternative Investments: We applied a barbell strategy combining high-yield bonds with flexible duration management, optimizing returns while mitigating interest rate risks.
- Risk Management: A dynamic hedging strategy was implemented, utilizing derivatives to protect against market downturns and inflation risks. A diversified portfolio structure helped ensure resilience.
Macro Themes and Investments:
- Emerging Markets: India and China were identified as key growth drivers due to strong GDP projections, demographic trends, and significant infrastructure investments. We recommended currency-hedged ETFs (HEEM) for exposure to these markets.
- Renewable Energy: We capitalized on the global push for clean energy by investing in Uranium and other renewable energy sources, with a focus on long-term infrastructure returns.
- AI and Technology: We leveraged the rise of AI applications to identify companies poised for growth in the technology and robotics sectors, recommending BOTZ for AI-driven investments.
The competition strengthened my ability to craft strategic, data-driven investment plans, manage risks effectively, and make informed decisions that align with long-term growth objectives.
