ECC Students Excel in 2025 Bloomberg Trading Challenge

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NEWARK, N.J.-  Essex County College continues to strengthen financial literacy and investment education for its business students through the highly competitive 2025 Bloomberg Global Trading Challenge –  the only university-level investment competition conducted entirely within the Bloomberg Terminal. The challenge gives student teams a hands-on look at real-world investing as they manage a virtual $1 million portfolio, track global markets and make trading decisions based on live financial data. Teams of three to five students, each guided by a faculty advisor, compete against peers from top colleges and universities around the world to achieve the strongest investment returns.

ECC proudly boasts 16 student investor teams participating in this year’s challenge, which includes more than 2,000 teams from 46 countries. During the first week, which began Oct. 13, ECC student investors outperformed several neighboring colleges, including New York University, Columbia University, Rutgers University and Kean University.

This year marks a new record for Essex County College, with the largest number of teams participating in the Bloomberg Trading Challenge. The competition has attracted students with an entrepreneurial spirit across the College’s academic divisions – including finance, business administration, accounting, supply chain management, nursing, biomedical sciences, general sciences, data science, and computer science.

Among those leading the charge is Femi Agunbiade, a cybersecurity and networking major and captain of Team OPM.

“I’ve always had a deep passion for investing and trading,” said Agunbiade. “The chance to network, build relationships and receive mentorship from professionals who are among the best in the field was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. The support and experiences I’ve gained at ECC have shown me that I am equipped to face opportunities like this head-on.”

Agunbiade credits Lan Wang, ECC professor and Bloomberg Lab coordinator, along with the team’s advisory board members for inspiring students to go above and beyond. 

“This is an opportunity to refine my skills while working alongside Professor Wang and the advisory board members, whose industry expertise is invaluable,” he said.

Lan Wang, ECC professor and Bloomberg Lab coordinator, said the challenge allows students to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world environment while representing the College on a global stage.

“Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, grow, and apply your knowledge in real-time market scenarios,” said Wang. “As a college that serves a highly diverse community, our participation sends a powerful message: talent, intelligence and leadership can be found everywhere. ECC students can thrive at the highest levels. More than just a competition, it’s a platform to challenge stereotypes, build confidence, and inspire the next generation of financial professionals.”

The 2025 Bloomberg Global Trading Challenge ends Nov. 15, with winners to be announced Nov. 21.

For more information about Essex County College’s Business Division or the Bloomberg Lab, visit essex.edu/business.