Candidates searching for a buy-side internship, a hedge fund role, a trading internship or a career in investment strategy quickly run into the same obstacle: employers want evidence of investment judgment before most applicants have had the chance to develop it. TrendUp is built to close that gap.

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TrendUp at a glance

Format Three cohort-based online levels with live sessions and assessed work Time commitment Three weeks per level; approximately 3 to 5 hours per week Main outcomes Applied investment work, the CFOA credential, and a route to an SRP internship at a partner buy-side firm Best suited to Candidates targeting buy-side roles: hedge funds, asset management, investment research, multi-asset strategy, trading and derivatives Next cohort Fall 2026 begins 26 September 2026; applications reviewed on a rolling basis

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The catch-22 in buy-side and investment careers

Breaking into a hedge fund, an asset manager, a trading desk or an investment strategy role is difficult for a simple reason. Academic finance proves that a candidate can learn concepts. Employers still need to know whether that candidate can form a market view, build an investment thesis, size risk, explain uncertainty and defend a decision when challenged.

Most applicants are told to gain experience, but the experience they need is often available only after they have already secured the internship or analyst role. This is the gap TrendUp is designed to address. It gives participants a structured environment in which they produce investment work, receive professional feedback and build a record of performance before recruitment.

TrendUp is an applied investment training and talent-development platform. Its core offering, the TrendUp L-Program, progresses from investment analysis through options, futures and hedge fund strategy. The experience is cohort-based, assessed and deliberately closer to the work of a buy-side investment team than to a passive online course.

What buy-side and trading teams actually need to see

A credible candidate needs more than enthusiasm for markets. Hedge funds, asset managers and investment teams look for signs that the applicant can connect research to a decision.

• A defensible investment thesis rather than a collection of facts.
• The ability to distinguish a good company from a good investment at the current price.
• Position sizing and downside awareness, not only upside forecasts.
• Comfort with uncertainty, competing scenarios and changing market information.
• Clear communication under questioning.
• A body of work that gives an interviewer something substantive to discuss.

TrendUp targets these exact signals.

How the TrendUp L-Program builds those skills

L1: Investment analysis and stock pitching L1 is the starting point and does not require a prior finance background. It introduces market structure and four complementary approaches to analysis: fundamental, technical, event-driven and volatility analysis. Participants present a stock pitch and receive a one-to-one debrief.

L2: Options, volatility and trade construction L2 develops options and derivatives knowledge as a practical decision-making skill.

L3: Futures, hedge fund strategy and professional validation L3 moves into futures, options on futures, portfolio risk and hedge fund strategies. L3 prepares participants for the CFOA examination. Every L3 completer receives a full examination subsidy valued at $390. Approximately 95% of participants who complete TrendUp L3 pass the CFOA examination.

Where TrendUp graduates end up

TrendUp reports that around 91% of graduates are working in finance within six months of completing the programme.

How can you get an internship at a hedge fund?

TrendUp helps by giving candidates repeated opportunities to produce evidence. For a hedge fund applicant, the practical output is the key benefit.

How can you get a trading internship without prior experience?

TrendUp develops those qualities progressively through options and futures.

How do you start a career in investment strategy?

The L-Program provides a clear progression from analysis to derivatives and hedge fund strategy.

The SRP: a direct pipeline into buy-side internships

The Specialization and Recruitment Program (SRP) places strong performers into a real 10-week internship at a partner buy-side firm. Access is invitation-only for top performers. Every SRP participant to date has secured an investment internship or role.

Pricing and value

The complete pathway costs $1,497 standard or $897 for students. L3 includes the $390 CFOA exam subsidy.

Why TrendUp stands out

• Coherent progression from analysis to options, futures and hedge fund strategy.
• Live stock pitching and applied work.
• Individual feedback from professionals.
• CFOA preparation and subsidy.
• Selective recruitment pathway.
• Accessible pricing.

Who is TrendUp best suited to?

• Students seeking credible investment work experience.
• Graduates targeting buy-side and hedge fund roles.
• Career changers needing applied market work.
• Early-career professionals building skills.

Verdict: Is the TrendUp L-Program worth it?

For serious candidates, yes. It delivers applied investment work and a route to opportunities. Next cohort begins 26 September 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is the TrendUp L-Program worth it? Yes for buy-side focused candidates. Less suited for those wanting only the credential or guaranteed placement.

Can TrendUp help with hedge fund internship? Yes, especially via SRP for top performers.

Can TrendUp help with trading internship? Yes through L2 and L3.

Do I need prior experience? No.

Does it guarantee internship? No, SRP is selective.

Is CFOA included? L3 includes full subsidy.