Microcap Contest - Rules, Terms and Conditions & Disclaimer
Official Terms & Conditions and Disclaimer
To see our intro and the application form, go below.
Rules
1. Eligibility & Entry
The competition is open to participants who comply with U.S. securities laws and are of legal age. The participants can be from outside the U.S.
Each participant must submit their stock picks before the deadline specified by the competition organizers.
This is not a day trading contest, so modifications to stock picks after submission are not permitted.
One entry per participant.
2. Portfolio Selection Criteria
Each participant must select stocks divided into two groups: Starters and Bench.
Starting Line-Up or “Starters”
Choose 3 to 5 stocks that meet ALL of the following criteria:
Market capitalization equal to or below $550 million at the time of selection.
Shares outstanding less than 55 million.
The company must be generating revenue (i.e., no pre-revenue companies).
Group 2: Runner-ups or "Bench” (To break ties)
Choose 2 stocks from the MS Microcap March Virtual Conference. You will be provided with a list of 19 stocks.
3. Performance Calculation
Returns for your stock picks will start being tracked at the time you submit your stock pick(s).
The peak portfolio return during the competition is used for rankings (not the current or final return). More specifically, portfolio performance is ranked based on the highest recorded average return for the 3 to 5 “Starters” during the competition period.
Example: If a portfolio reaches +30% at its highest point but ends at -2%, the 30% return is recorded.
The current average “Starter” returns will still be posted and ranked for potential bonus prizes.
Returns for the “Bench” will be calculated to break ties with regard to “Starter” returns. See 4. Tiebreakers 👇
4. Tiebreakers
In case of a tie (When two “Starter” portfolios with the same highest peak return):
Best “Bench” Performance - The participant whose performance in the Starting Five portfolio is higher wins*.
Best Individual Stock Performance Across “Starters” and “Bench” – The participant whose best-performing stock had the highest return wins*.
Second-Best Individual Stock Performance Across “Starters” and “Bench” – If still tied, the second-best performing stock will be used*.
Earliest Submission – If still tied, the participant who submitted their picks first wins.
*based on peak return
5. Trading & Restrictions
Only long positions allowed.
No changes to stock selections once the competition begins.
No short selling.
No derivatives or ETFs allowed.
No trading during the competition period as performance is calculated passively.
No Cryptocurrencies allowed.
6. Competition Period
The competition will run from May 11th, 2025 to November 11th, 2025.
Performance will be tracked and reported at regular intervals.
You need to submit your stock picks by Midnight, EST, May 10th, 2025 (Saturday).
7. Prizes & Recognition
The prize pool:
1st place - $5,000
2nd place - $3,000
3rd place - $2,000
4th to 10th place - $700 per place
Also, bonus prizes, such as free subscriptions to MSM Cliff Notes substack or GeoInvesting to participants.
Winners will be recognized based on their portfolio’s peak performance.
8. Compliance & Fair Play
Contest participants must adhere to all rules and cannot use insider information or market manipulation tactics.
The competition organizers reserve the right to disqualify any participant violating the rules.
By entering the competition, participants agree to abide by these rules and the Stock-Picking Competition Disclaimer.
Terms & Conditions
Last Updated: 10 May 2025
1. Eligibility
1.1. Participants must be of legal age in their jurisdiction to enter.
1.2. The Competition is open to individuals only (no institutional or group entries).
1.3.No purchase is necessary to enter.
1.4. The Competition shall be void where prohibited by local laws or regulations, including where in MS Microcaps LLC’s reasonable opinion we cannot accept an entry or provide a prize due to sanctions laws or banking restrictions. It is the responsibility of entrants to ensure that they are able to participate in the Competition in compliance with local laws and regulations. To the fullest extent permitted by law, MS Microcaps LLC is not liable where an entrant has breached local laws and/or regulations in connection with the Competition.
2. How to Enter
2.1. Each participant must submit their portfolio through the designated submission form before the deadline.
2.2. Only one entry per participant is allowed. Once submitted, selections are final and cannot be changed.
2.3. Entries must comply with the stock selection criteria outlined in the Competition rules.
2.4. MS Microcaps LLC is not responsible for late or incomplete entries, or for entries not received. There is no fee payable to enter.
3. Portfolio Selection Rules
3.1. Participants must select up to seven stocks, divided into two categories:
Starting Line-Up "Starter" Picks: 3 to 5 stocks with a market cap below $550 million, revenue-generating and have less than 55 million shares outstanding at the time of selection.
Bench based on Starting Five Conference Picks: 2 stocks from the designated list.
4. Scoring & Winner Determination
4.1. Performance will be ranked based on the highest peak portfolio return during the competition period.
4.2. The return is calculated as the average weighted return of all stocks in a participant’s Starting Line-Up portfolio.
4.3. In case of a tie (Two “Starter” portfolios with the same highest peak return):
Best “Bench” Performance - The participant whose performance in the Starting Five portfolio is higher wins*.
Best Individual Stock Performance Across “Starters” and “Bench” – The participant whose best-performing stock had the highest return wins*.
Second-Best Individual Stock Performance Across “Starters” and “Bench” – If still tied, the second-best performing stock will be used*.
Earliest Submission – If still tied, the participant who submitted their picks first wins.4.4. Each participant is allowed only one entry. The use of multiple email addresses, aliases, or accounts to submit additional portfolios is strictly prohibited.
4.5. If a participant is found to have submitted multiple entries, all of their submissions may be disqualified. The organizers reserve the right to verify participant identity and remove duplicate entries.
5. Competition Timeline
5.1. The Competition runs from May 11th, 2025 to November 11th, 2025.
5.2. All performance calculations are based on publicly available stock market data.
5.3. Winners will be announced within 14 days of the Competition's end.
6. Prizes (If Applicable)
6.1. Prizes (if any) will be determined and announced before the Competition begins.
6.2. If a participant is found to have violated the rules, they forfeit any claim to prizes.
6.3. Prizes are non-transferable and may be subject to taxes or reporting requirements.
6.4.Winners may be required to complete and return an eligibility form stating their age and residency details.
6.5. MS Microcaps LLC will not be liable for any failure, delay or inability to contact a Winner or runner up.
7. Conduct & Fair Play
7.1. Participants must act in good faith and comply with all rules.
7.2. Any attempt to manipulate, cheat, or use non-public information will result in disqualification.
7.3. The organizers reserve the right to modify the rules or terminate the Competition at any time.
7.4. Directors, employees and immediate family members of employees of MS Microcaps LLC its associated companies and agencies may enter the Competition, but are not eligible to be selected as a winner. Their results will be reported separately from all other entrants’ results.
8. No Investment Advice & Liability Disclaimer
8.1. This Competition is for educational and entertainment purposes only. No actual trades are executed.
8.2. Nothing in this Competition should be construed as financial or investment advice.
8.3. The organizers are not liable for any financial losses participants may incur from real-world trading decisions based on the Competition.
9. Data & Privacy
9.1. By entering, participants agree to the collection and use of their data for tracking and leaderboard purposes.
9.2. No personal or financial information will be sold or shared with third parties.
10. Governing Law & Disputes
10.1. The Competition is governed by the laws of State of Florida, United States.
10.2. Any disputes must be resolved through informal negotiations first. If unresolved, they will be handled in a court of competent jurisdiction sitting in Palm Beach County, Florida.
By participating, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
For questions, contact admin@msmicrocaps.com
Disclaimer
No Investment Advice: This stock-picking competition (“Competition”) run by MS Microcaps LLC is for entertainment and educational purposes only. The Competition does not constitute financial or investment advice, and no participant should make actual investment decisions based on the results of the Competition.
No Real Money or Securities Transactions: No real money is being invested, and no actual securities transactions are taking place as part of this Competition. The results are hypothetical and may not reflect real-world market conditions, including liquidity, fees, taxes, and order execution.
No Liability: The organizers, sponsors, and affiliates of this Competition are not responsible for any financial losses, decisions, or actions taken based on the Competition's outcomes. Participants assume full responsibility for any real-world investment choices they make outside of the Competition.
Market Risks: Stock prices fluctuate, and past performance is not indicative of future results. The Competition does not guarantee or suggest that any particular stock or strategy will be successful in real-world investing.
Fair Play & Rules Enforcement: Participants must comply with all Competition rules and regulations. Any attempt to manipulate results, such as using non-public information or other unfair practices, may result in disqualification. The organizers reserve the right to modify or terminate the Competition at any time.
Legal Compliance: This Competition is not a solicitation to buy or sell securities. The Competition complies with U.S. laws and regulations and is void where prohibited. Participants must be of legal age to participate and acknowledge that securities investing carries inherent risks.
General:
MS Microcaps LLC reserves the right to cancel, suspend or amend the Competition, or any part of it (including these Terms and Conditions) or change the Prize (to one of equivalent or greater value) as required by the circumstances in MS Microcaps LLC’s sole discretion. MS Microcaps LLC reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who has not complied with the letter or the spirit of these Terms and Conditions. Any failure by MS Microcaps LLC to enforce any provision in these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
MS Microcaps LLC cannot accept responsibility for or liability arising from entrants taking part in the Competition or for taking up the Prize. MS Microcaps LLC gives no warranty or guarantee in relation to the Prize and accepts no responsibility or liability for the Prize being amended by MS Microcaps LLC. To the fullest extent permitted by law, MS Microcaps LLC excludes liability for all loss, damage or claim arising as a result of the Participant’s entry into the Competition or use of the Prize (save in the case of death or personal injury caused by the negligence of MS Microcaps LLC).
Any personal data which may be submitted in an entry will be processed by MS Microcaps LLC in accordance with any applicable data protection legislation and the MS Microcaps LLC Privacy Policy, available at: https://msmicrocaps.com/terms-and-conditions/. As set out in the MS Microcaps LLC, we may share your personal data with our service providers including, for example, with any third party supplier of the Prize.
Unless agreed otherwise, entrants retain ownership over their entry to the Competition. By submitting an entry, entrants grant MS Microcaps LLC a worldwide, non-exclusive, sub-licensable, irrevocable and royalty-free licence to use, display, publish, transmit, copy and edit the entry, in whole or in part, in any way and in any media, whether now known or invented in the future. Entrants warrant that their entry does not breach any applicable laws or regulations or infringe any third intellectual property or privacy rights, and is not in any way libellous, defamatory, obscene, indecent, harassing or threatening.
By entering the Competition, entrants agree to hold MS Microcaps LLC harmless for liability, damages or claims for injury or loss to any person or property, relating to, directly or indirectly, participation in this Competition, or claims based on publicity rights, third party intellectual property rights, defamation or invasion of privacy.
The company organising the competition is MS Microcaps LLC.
By participating, you agree to these terms and acknowledge that this Competition does not establish any fiduciary relationship between you and the organizers.