The first group of The League of Analysts, an international educational program by investment company Zubr Capital, has completed a relevant course in Poland with their graduation marking the culmination of seven months of intensive, practice-driven learning with industry experts.
The League of Analysts program, created and led by Zubr Capital experts, complements traditional university education with a strong practical foundation. The company has been running student development initiatives for many years, and this cohort in Poland marks the fifth program of its kind. This autumn, the participants worked on real investment cases under the guidance of the firm’s team, developing skills in financial and investment analysis, business modeling, strategic thinking, and communication.
The student selection process was highly competitive. A team of experts reviewed 150 applications and selected 25 participants from 10 universities in Poland and Cyprus. The final cohort comprised motivated, high-potential candidates who demonstrated strong analytical aptitude and a readiness to deepen their expertise in investment analysis.
The final project was a comprehensive diploma project completed by all participants. Students developed strategic growth options for one of the firm’s portfolio companies, assessing its market position, analysing financial performance, and building valuation and financial models. Each team of students modeled the financial impact of their proposed strategy, demonstrating in monetary terms how the implementation of their ideas could contribute to the company’s future growth.
“Our focus is on practical learning through teamwork and real-life case studies,” said Alena Padalnitskaya, Head of The League of Analysts. “We see great value in helping students bridge the gap between academic theory and the actual investment world. The next step is scaling the program further – both within Poland and internationally.”
The program has already delivered tangible results: both the expert jury and the company for which the diploma project was developed recognised the high quality of the students’ preparation. Several of the proposed strategic ideas were incorporated into the company’s 2026 development roadmap. The graduates demonstrated the ability to work independently on complex analytical tasks, confirming that the program equips participants with the skills required for real investment and strategic work.
“Today’s students are no longer beginners. When they join a company, they can quickly assess any business idea — whether a new product, a new market, or a strategic initiative — and show in numbers how it will impact the business. The demand for such specialists is only growing,” noted Oleg Khusaenov, CEO of Zubr Capital.
By connecting education with real investment practice, the League of Analysts is setting a new standard for how young professionals start their careers in the investment industry. The program provides a unique opportunity to enter a venture and private equity fund from day one — a path rarely accessible to beginners in our region — by combining analytical rigor, market insight, and hands-on project experience.
According to McKinsey’s 'A new future of work' study, many European companies report a shortage of employees with advanced analytical and technological skills, with around 40% of business leaders identifying this as a major constraint. In Poland specifically, McKinsey’s 'HR Monitor 2025' estimates the national skill gap at roughly 25%, underscoring the growing demand for talent capable of working with complex data, financial modeling, and strategic analysis.
About Zubr Capital
An investment firm, Zubr Capital, operates as a local entity in Cyprus through its long-term expansion plan, which includes managing $250 million across 30 tech companies, including two unicorn businesses. The company receives funding from EBRD, FMO, and Wargaming as part of its investor base.
