As the premier quant finance event returns to London, QuantMinds editor-in-chief Afif Fakhreddine outlines 10 reasons why QuantMinds International 2025 is a must-attend conference for quant finance professionals.
1. Reimagined stream design for enhanced learning
This year features an innovative stream design organised around key quant areas:
- Delta Δ: Focused on derivatives pricing and design
- Vega Ν: Dedicated to risk management strategies
- Alpha Α: Exploring alpha generation and allocation
- Theta Θ: Showcasing quant development and innovation
This thematic organisation allows attendees to easily navigate sessions most relevant to their interests and specialisations.
2. Star-studded keynote lineup
The 2025 conference boasts an exceptional lineup of keynote speakers:
- Matt Parker – Mathematician, award-winning stand-up comedian, YouTuber, and New York Times best-selling author
- Bruno Dupire – Head of Quantitative Research at Bloomberg L.P. and pioneer of local volatility modelling
- Emanuel Derman – Professor of Practice Emeritus at Columbia University
- Helyette Geman – Research Professor at John Hopkins University and Member of the Board of Bloomberg Commodity Index
3. Third annual CompatibL hackathon
Building on the success of previous years, CompatibL returns as sponsor of the third annual hackathon. This competition has become a highlight of QuantMinds, uniting some of the brightest minds in quantitative finance and AI to tackle real-world challenges. Participants can demonstrate their coding skills and learn new modelling techniques, with winners receiving recognition and awards during the conference.
4. PhD Poster Programme: Showcasing emerging research
The QuantMinds PhD Poster Programme offers an exceptional opportunity for doctoral students to present their cutting-edge research to industry experts. The advisory board will select the top 16 posters to be showcased throughout the conference, with attendees able to view the curated collection in the dedicated PhD poster area. The three best posters will receive special recognition and awards, providing valuable exposure for emerging researchers.
5. Women in quant: Fostering diversity and inclusion
The third annual Women in Quant Lunch, hosted by Ranbir K. Toor from Elevate City, continues the important conversation around gender diversity in quantitative finance. Toor, founder of the UK's premier women's leadership network for financial and professional services, will facilitate thought-provoking discussions aimed at addressing the critical visibility and networking gap at senior levels in the industry.
6. Specialised summits within the conference
Quant Invest Summit
This dedicated track brings together investment leaders from Capstone, Vanguard, Fidelity, State Street, and other major firms to discuss the latest in quantitative investment strategies and market insights.
Quant Tech Summit
Attendees will discover the latest technological innovations accelerating the quant finance industry, with presentations on cutting-edge tools and platforms reshaping how quantitative analysis is performed.
Quantum Computing Stage
Thursday, November 20, features a special Quantum Computing stage headlined by Davide Venturelli from USRA, exploring how this revolutionary technology is poised to transform computational finance.
7. Hands-on learning opportunities
Two in-depth workshops will provide practical knowledge on rough volatility and machine learning.
- Rough Volatility Workshop – With the aim to provide more accurate market representation, this workshop will showcase advanced modelling techniques in quant finance. (Led by Jim Gatheral, Baruch College, CUNY)
- Machine Learning in Finance Workshop – Focusing on deep learning, this workshop will provide practical applications in quantitative finance. (Led by Blanka Horvath, University of Oxford, and Mikko Pakkanen, Imperial College)
8. Networking and entertainment
QuantMinds International 2025 offers numerous opportunities to connect with peers in relaxed settings:
- Drinks reception at the elegant Clipper Bar on Wednesday, November 19, starting at 6:00 PM
- Poker night with former professional poker player Caspar Berry on Tuesday, November 18
- Roundtable discussions on Monday and Tuesday evenings, covering topics from talent acquisition to AI & ML model validation
- Giant chess board available throughout the conference for strategic thinking and friendly competition
9. CPD certified professional development
QuantMinds International is a CPD certified event, allowing attendees to request a CPD certificate after attending – perfect for those looking to enhance their professional credentials while expanding their knowledge.
10. What quant leaders are saying…
As Uwe Naumann, Professor of Computer Science at RWTH Aachen University, notes: "QuantMinds International is the biggest conference in the financial world. It's very important during these current times to have physical conversations."
George Hong, Managing Director at Credit Suisse, adds: "QuantMinds gathers the most inquisitive and passionate problem solvers in the now-much-broadened fields of quantitative finance and beyond. Highly recommended."
Whether you're looking to stay at the forefront of quantitative finance innovation, network with industry leaders, or showcase your research, QuantMinds International 2025 promises to be the must-attend event of the year for quant professionals worldwide.
Learn from 650+ senior practitioners and academics from across the globe, including 150+ asset managers, and see cutting-edge theories and models in quantitative finance at QuantMinds International.
