Welcome to AI Trading Sandbox Challenge - U.S. Market
"If AI were to trade within a real market structure - how far could it go?"
Creek Labs has built C Field, an open experimental environment designed for developers, investors, and AI creators. This sandbox is dedicated to "AI × Trading", aiming to allow participants to explore the boundaries of AI-driven trading decisions in real market-like conditions.
This is not academic research and not an investment training program — it is closer to an AI Trading Hackathon + Creative Strategy Competition.
Register here: https://wj.qq.com/s2/25098338/nkrd/
(This is necessary for the registration of our AI Trading Sandbox Challenge. Our challenge is not hosted on Devpost. We're just using Devpost for promotion. The link is the only way to register for the challenge.)
Challenge format
Online screening → One-month sandbox trading challenge → Live trading tests and potential long-term collaboration with top teams.
Real-time performance during the challenge will be displayed on the Creek Labs website(creeklabs.io) via the Live Trading Board.
Who should join
-Anyone interested in using AI for investment research and decision-making
-Skilled AI Prompt users
-Independent developer with code experience
Trading Scope:
U.S. stocks, ETFs, sector indices, bonds, and derivatives
Participation Type:
Individual or team(up to 3 members)
Competition Tracks
1. Bot Track – Trade Without Code:
Investors and non-technical participants.
Use C Field’s conversational AI trading assistant (Bot) to enhance your trading logic and factor research, combine it with your personal judgment, and manually execute trades on the C Field simulation interface.
Limitations:
No automated execution; limited Tokens (to maintain system stability)
Core Idea:
Bring your ideas — let AI fill in the gaps.
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2. Agent Track – The Arena for Prompt Engineers:
Participants familiar with Prompting, investment logic, and basic Agent tuning, as well as those who can understand simple coding structures.
Build your own strategy Agent using C Field’s customizable Agent interface, conduct in-depth research, and execute strategies through one of three modes:
- Fully automated execution
- Semi-automated execution (manual confirmation required per trade)
- Advisory mode (manual trading after recommendations)
Limitations:
Restricted high-frequency Agent execution; higher Token limit than the Bot Track (for system stability)
Core Idea:
Turn your Prompt into a truly functioning trading Agent.
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3. Developer Track – The True Builders:
Developers capable of designing architectures and building AI-based trading systems. Focus on using AI models and algorithms to detect trading signals and factors.
Integrate your project with C Field’s open API, access real-time market data, and execute trades directly.
Core Idea:
Rebuild the entire trading pipeline with technology.
Final interpretation rights belong to: Creek Labs by SAIF Partners
Requirements
Sandbox Platform:
C Field is the AI trading sandbox platform developed by Creek Labs for this challenge. It provides a full-stack environment — from Bot-level interaction to custom Agents and independent framework integration, all simulated on the real U.S. market structure.
Key Evaluation Metrics:
AI experimentation ability, strategic creativity, and technical execution.
What to Submit
A concise presentation of your trading strategy or technical proposal, including:
Logical framework
AI application method
Risk control approach
Research basis
Prizes
Overall Alpha Award
At the conclusion of the simulated trading period, 3–5 teams achieving positive absolute returns and top sandbox rankings will be selected. These teams will have the opportunity to participate in Creek Labs’ million-dollar live trading fund testing with their own strategies.
Best AI-Enhanced Strategy
This award will be jointly selected by Creek Labs’ investment experts and technical experts from the Data Intelligence Lab@HKU. It recognizes participants who demonstrate exceptional capability in developing AI-driven frameworks for trading factor discovery.Award recipients will have the opportunity to:• Join the Creek Labs Incubation System;• Receive comprehensive incubation support;• Collaborate with Creek Labs on commercialization and live testing of their technological results.
Supported by AWS startups
To foster the growth and innovation of AI-focused startups, the AI Trading Sandbox Challenge · U.S. Market is supported by AWS startups. Eligible teams may apply for the following cloud resource support:
• Startups accepted into the AI Trading Sandbox Challenge may apply for USD 500 in AWS credits.
• Startups that win an award in the Challenge may apply for USD 4,500 in AWS credits.
• Startups that receive investment from SAIF Partners may apply for USD 25,000 in AWS credits.
The Million-Dollar Live Trading Initiative
Participants awarded the Best AI-Enhanced Strategy will be eligible to join Creek Labs’ million-dollar (cumulative) live trading fund testing, lasting three months. Based on performance, Creek Labs may invite other participants to join the live trading test.
(Loop Accumulation and Live Trading Test Methodology
• At the start of the live trading test, Creek Labs reserves the right to determine the initial capital allocated to each participant.
• If the initial live trading test performs well, Creek Labs reserves the right to decide on additional capital and the specific amount.
• The live trading test will be conducted in accounts designated by Creek Labs, with designated personnel executing trades according to the strategies and trading instructions recommended by the participants.
• The capital provider reserves the final authority on whether to adopt the recommended strategies and trading instructions.
- Profits and Losses
• Losses incurred during the agreed testing period will be borne by the capital provider; participants are not responsible. However, the capital provider has the right to stop losses according to the agreed conditions.
• Upon completion of the three-month testing period, participants will receive a bonus linked to the investment returns generated by their strategies: 35% of the investment profits from Creek Labs' own capital and 35% of the profits from managing third-party capital.
• 5% of the investment profits from Creek Labs' own capital and 5% of the profits from managing third-party capital will be returned to support the academic community.)
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Creek Labs Investment Expert
Technical Mentor of HKU
Judging Criteria
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Best AI-Enhanced Strategy
Selected by Creek Labs investors and HKU HKUDS experts, this award honors teams excelling in AI-driven trading factor discovery. Winners enter Creek Labs’ incubation program, receive full-stack support, and conduct real-world trading tests.
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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