The Great, Undiscovered CEOs Research Challenge

SumZero is pleased to launch a dedicated research challenge executed in exclusive partnership with a multi-billion New York City-based hedge fund. The Challenge is designed to identify actionable investments led by unsung, but nevertheless outstanding management teams. The participating fund is strictly seeking recommendations which focus on liquid, publicly-traded businesses run by outstanding CEOs trading at low multiples of earnings and free cash flow. Prizes include in-person meetings with the fund's founders/senior management, as well as cash prizes based on contest placement and bonuses if the fund takes a position based on the research.

Entry Requirements:

• Recommendations must focus on publicly-traded securities with greater than US$2B market cap, and those which trade more than US$20M in ADV;


• Submissions must include a compelling case describing how the CEO has created value, and allocated capital successfully at their current or prior company roles;


• Submissions which include a complete financial model are strongly preferred;


• Multiple submissions are accepted and will be evaluated independently;


• Idea submissions must pass SumZero Quality Guidelines for publication.

Selection Criteria:
SumZero's exclusive partner in this challenge, a multi-billion dollar, New York City based hedge fund, will be the sole determinant of winners. The fund has offered the following selection criteria:

• Good businesses run by outstanding CEOs trading at low multiples of earnings and free cash flow;


• CEOs who are under-the-radar game-changers who have stellar career track records of generating substantial shareholder value through earnings growth, leading turnarounds, buying/selling companies, buying back stock at attractive prices, and/or other monumental corporate actions;


• Leaders who have a track record of material financial success – driving meaningful increases in sales/ EBITDA/ FCF/ EPS, margins or another key quantifiable metric on a sizeable business. Track record of creating shareholder value – as measured by stock price return or returns to private investors;


• CEOs who think in terms of per share value and has history of value enhancing capital allocation;


• Managers who have upside on at least USD$10M of equity (stock + notional value of options)

Key Dates:

• Contest Submission October 2nd-October 12th


• Judges Evaluations: October 16th-26th


• Winners Announced: October 30th

Getting Started:

• On October 2nd, submit at least one qualifying idea through the standard link;


• Opt-into the Challenge by clicking the button prior to submitting your Idea;


• Approved Ideas are immediately sent to the Judges Panel for review and will appear, as normal, on the SumZero site 72-hours following acceptance;


• At the end of the Contest, the Judges will review Ideas and eligible members to determine the Winners;


• The contest, including all the research associated with it, takes place fully within the SumZero website.

Prizes:
1st Place

• $3,000.00 USD cash prize


• Meeting with fund founders; location and time to be determined by fund


• $10,000.00 USD cash bonus if the Client takes a position in the security pitched*

2nd Place

• $2,000.00 USD cash prize


• Meeting with fund founders; location and time to be determined by fund


• $10,000.00 USD cash bonus if the Client takes a position in the security pitched*

3rd Place

• $1,000.00 USD cash prize


• $10,000.00 USD cash bonus if the Client takes a position in the security pitched*

*If the fund opens a position(s) within 4 months time from the date of Winner Announcements (slated as October 30th - February 28th), bonus payouts will be processed to all eligible ideas.


Join SumZero Buyside to Enter the Great CEOs Challenge