The SAIF International Youth Leadership Finance Summit (IYLFS), hosted by the Master of Finance program at Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF), invites driven undergraduate students worldwide to experience an immersive finance summit in Shanghai. IYLFS has been successfully held for 13 editions, each year addressing the most trending topics — from quantitative investment to AI unicorns — offering students fresh and unique challenges. Over the years, IYLFS has become one of the most prestigious and influential finance competitions in China and is increasingly recognized on the global stage.
Earlier, the 2025-2026 IYLFS concluded in Shanghai — and it was nothing short of inspiring.
A truly immersive global platform
Over 1,000 applicants from top universities worldwide, 28 finalist teams, and 100+ young talents gathered on-site. With 15% of participants being international students and over 40% of our MF program's international students coming from QS top‑50 institutions, IYLFS is a genuine cross‑cultural exchange where future financial leaders learn, compete, and grow together.
AI is reshaping how we think and create
As Professor Xianglin Li, Academic Director of SAIF MF, put it: "AI has moved far beyond a simple tool — it is fundamentally changing the way we think and create." This year's theme, Hunt the Next AI Unicorn, challenged students to explore six cutting-edge AI tracks — from emotional companionship to productivity, education to creative content, health to gaming. Participants conducted real‑world case studies, interviewed founders, and built business analysis reports on live AI ventures.
More than a competition — building core competencies for the future
IYLFS was never just about winning. It was designed as an intensive learning journey:
Expert insights from VCs, tech leaders, and AI professors.
Systematic training on AI fundamentals, investment trends, and unicorn case studies.
Hands‑on analytics that train students to think like investors and builders.
We are incredibly proud of the 28 teams that advanced to the final round, and congratulations to the award winners!
Thank you to all participants, judges, and partners — including CFA Institute — for making IYLFS a milestone event. And a special thanks to our MF student hosts and volunteers.
The future of finance is being written by young leaders like you. Let's keep hunting the next unicorn — together.
