MSc FinTech students reach semi-final of global Climate Investment Challenge
Three Strathclyde Business School MSc Financial Technology students – Maria Vidya Sahayaselvan, Kingston Tagoe, and Mahnoor Baig – have been selected for the semi‑final of the Climate Investment Challenge 2026.
The Climate Investment Challenge is a global competition that invites postgraduate students to develop innovative solutions to real‑world climate investment challenges, with a focus on climate analytics and new financing mechanisms. Participants are tasked with designing and pitching rigorous, creative ideas that help mobilise capital, improve investment decision‑making, or increase the effectiveness of climate‑related investments across sectors and markets.
The Strathclyde team entered the new Climate Analytics Award with their project, the Systemic Climate Contagion Risk Dashboard (SCCRD); a decision‑support tool designed to analyse how physical climate risks can propagate through interconnected systems. The project aims to translate academic research on systemic risk into a practical tool to support real‑world financial and policy decision‑making. SCCRD was developed by the students as part of applied coursework and extracurricular work. The dashboard is about understanding how climate risk spreads through financial systems and why looking at assets in isolation is no longer enough.
Each of the students brought their particular skills and experience to bear on the dashboard development within the applied learning environment at Strathclyde.
Kingston Tagoe said, “Working on the Systemic Climate Contagion Risk Dashboard has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at Strathclyde Business School. Turning academic research into a tool with real‑world relevance has been incredibly rewarding, and it’s exciting to see our work recognised on an international stage.”
Maria Vidya Sahayaselvan added, “This project allowed us to work at the intersection of data science, finance and climate risk, while collaborating closely with academics and industry experts. It’s a great example of how interdisciplinary teamwork can lead to solutions that are both technically strong and industry‑relevant.”
Mahnoor Baig said, “Reaching the semi‑final is a genuine team achievement. We’re very grateful for the support and guidance we’ve received from our lecturers and mentors at Strathclyde Business School, and we’re excited to keep developing SCCRD as we work towards the final.”
The team is now preparing their submission ahead of the final stage of the competition in June.
The photograph shows, left to right, Maria Vidya Sahayaselvan, Kingston Tagoe,and Mahnoor Baig.
Published: 23 April 2026
