UNIST Student Becomes First Korean to Win Global Quantitative Investment Competition

MinKyeom Kim, an undergraduate student in the Department of Industrial Engineering at UNIST, has made history as the first Korean to win the prestigious International Quant Championship (IQC), a global competition hosted by leading quantitative asset management firm, WorldQuant. The victory underscores Korea’s rising prominence in the field of data-driven finance and quantitative research.

The 2025 edition of IQC set a new record with nearly 80,000 participants from over 11,000 universities across 142 countries submitting more than 263,000 mathematical models—known as alphas—designed to predict financial markets. From this vast pool, only the top 0.02% advanced to the finals held in Singapore from September 28 to 30, where 12 teams competed for the global title and a share of the $100,000 prize pool.

Kim’s outstanding performance earned him first place, making him the first Korean to claim the world championship in the competition’s five-year history. His victory was highlighted in Business Wire, emphasizing the significance of an Asian student surpassing competitors from top universities worldwide, including institutions such as Columbia University, IIT, Oxford, and Wuhan University. Kim received a cash prize of $23,000 (approximately 31 million KRW).

The IQC challenges participants to analyze financial data using advanced mathematical models on WorldQuant’s proprietary BRAIN platform. The competition evaluates not only technical prowess but also data interpretation and financial intuition. This year, the contest attracted a diverse global talent pool, reflecting the universal nature of quantitative finance.

Kim, who is majoring in both Industrial Engineering and Business Administration, expressed his pride and aspirations by saying, “This achievement was made possible by truly understanding the financial significance of data. I hope this inspires more Korean students to pursue opportunities in quantitative finance and contribute to Korea’s global reputation in this field.”

His academic advisor, Professor Dong Young Lim, praised his accomplishment, stating, “Kim’s success exemplifies the strength of UNIST’s interdisciplinary and innovative education. His achievement on the global stage is a testament to the effectiveness of our integrated approach that combines engineering, mathematics, and business strategies.”

Following his victory, Kim has received an internship offer from WorldQuant’s headquarters, beginning in July 2026, providing him with invaluable industry experience. He aims to become a leading quant professional who bridges academia and real-world finance, leveraging the skills honed at UNIST to make an impact on global markets.