Capitalize for Kids team up with CIBC Investor's Edge and IRESS to Help Students Get Ahead and Give Back

Students across Canada compete in an investment challenge to raise funds for kids' mental health

TORONTO, Sept. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - Starting a career in finance is never easy, but the Capitalize for Kids Student Challenge presented by CIBC Investor's Edge is giving post-secondary students across Canada an opportunity to gain hands-on portfolio management experience and gain career building opportunities, while giving back by raising funds for children's brain and mental health.  

Students compete to build a portfolio of real equities with $1 million in virtual currency on an industry-leading trading platform. The Capitalize for Kids Student Challenge connects students with leaders in Canada's financial sector, giving them a head start on a career in finance. Top performers will not only receive major prizes, but also gain access to invaluable networking sessions with senior executives, benefit from mentorship opportunities, and be in included in resume screenings and potential job interviews at major financial firms.

IRESS, a leading provider of integrated trading, market data and wealth management software, is partnering with Capitalize for Kids to power the Student Challenge. "We are delighted to offer students an authentic trading experience by supplying the same specialist software we provide to financial institutions around the world," said IRESS' managing director of Canada, Glenn Wilson. "Students will be able to trade easily from any device, informed by integrated market data and charting tools, just like our professional users." 

"CIBC Investor's Edge is proud to expand our partnership with Capitalize for Kids by sponsoring the challenge, so that together we can make an impact on children's mental health issues across Canada," said Tracy Best, Senior Vice President, Direct Investing and Advice, CIBC. "We're excited to give students an opportunity to highlight their investing skills and connect with our industry while also supporting this important cause."  

Since 2014 Capitalize for Kids has engaged the finance community to raise over $5 million in support of children's brain and mental health programs. Kids Help Phone, Canada's only national 24-hour phone counseling service for children, has been chosen as the beneficiary of the Student Challenge. All funds raised and a matching grant from Brain Canada will fund increased capacity at Kids Help Phone. "The finance and business community is full of philanthropic leaders," said Justin Scaini, Associate Director of Capitalize for Kids. "We believe that engaging tomorrow's leaders and professionals in giving back as early in their careers as possible is essential."

Students can register to participate in the Challenge until September 30, 2017 at
https://www.capitalizeforkids.org/challenge

ABOUT CAPITALIZE FOR KIDS
Capitalize for Kids engages Canada's finance community in solving the toughest challenges in children's brain and mental health. Since 2014, the organization has raised a combined $5 million through its two major initiatives – the Capitalize for Kids Investors Conference and the Capitalize for Kids Student Challenge. By providing funding and pro-bono consulting services to researchers and service providers, they are helping more kids get access to better care. Beneficiaries include SickKids, Kids Help Phone, and the George Hull Centre.

ABOUT IRESS
IRESS is a leading software supplier, providing integrated trading, market data, wealth management and mortgage solutions. Some of the world's leading financial services businesses choose IRESS. IRESS is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX.IRE) with operations in the Australia, Asia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and United Kingdom

SOURCE Capitalize For Kids

MEDIA CONTACT: Eugene Michasiw, Marketing Manager, Capitalize for Kids, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]