This summer, 14 interns joined our Quant Internship in Bratislava. They came from math, computer science, and engineering backgrounds, with one thing in common: they wanted to understand trading from the inside. We sat down with them for a group Q&A about what they learned, what surprised them, and what it actually feels like to spend a summer inside a crypto HFT firm.

How long did the internship last?

Jana: It lasted seven weeks, starting in mid-July. This gave us enough time to dive into projects, but still fit into a summer break.

Do I need trading experience to apply?

Rich: I had no trading background, and that wasn’t a problem. The program taught us the fundamentals step by step.

Will: Problem-solving and curiosity mattered more I think. It was hard to learn at first, but that’s part of the fun.

Photo: Lenka Kandrava (2025)

What made you choose Wincent?

Lukas: I wanted an internship where I could actually contribute, not just watch from the sidelines. Wincent promised real projects and a culture where interns are treated as part of the team.

Rich: I liked that Wincent is smaller, fast-growing, and has a culture different to big corporations.

Jana: The interview process was different. Challenging math problems and games instead of the usual endless assessments.

What’s the interview process like?

Jana: I loved the math problems and games. They were fun and original.

Martin: The betting games stood out for me as well. They tested how we think under uncertainty.

Will: I appreciated getting feedback right after the interview. That doesn’t happen often elsewhere.

Editorial note: The official process includes an online assessment, two technical rounds, and an on-site session with interactive betting games.

Photo: Lenka Kandrava (2025)

What did you like most about the internship?

Jana: The community. Working with other interns and colleagues on challenging projects.

Will: Gaining real insight into trading and research.

Rich: The group activities. Games, problem-solving, and also the social side in the evenings.

Did you work on real-world projects?

Martin: Yes, and that was one of the best parts. We weren’t just simulating, we worked on things that had an actual impact.

Jana: It felt rewarding to see how our work connected to live strategies with crypto and trading.

What could be improved?

Martin: More help with Grafana and SQL queries would have been useful.

Jana: The start was overwhelming with the math and terminology, but the pace made me grow faster.

Will: I’d have liked even more hands-on practice with trading decisions.

How did you enjoy the games and lectures?

Jana: The betting games were fun and kept things competitive, though the rules could have been clearer at times.

Martin: I liked that the stakes kept building up. It made decision-making intense.

Rich: The lectures gave a strong foundation, but I learned most when applying concepts in projects.

Photo: Lenka Kandrava (2025)

What was life like outside of work?

Jana: Bratislava was safe and easy to get around. That made the whole experience smoother.

Rich: Evenings were fun! Hanging out with other interns and the recruiter Misa, exploring the city, and making new friends.

Will: The balance of work, learning, and social life felt just right.

What did you do after work?

Rich: We played paintball twice, and it was such a blast. It felt great to compete outside the office, in a different way.

Jana: The group dinners were one of my highlights. Great food and a chance to relax with everyone.

Will: Karaoke night was unforgettable. It made the whole internship feel less formal and more like a group of friends.

Photo: Lenka Kandrava (2025)

How important was the social side of the internship?

Will: For me, the after-work activities really mattered. They helped us bond quickly and made teamwork during the day much easier.

Jana: I think the mix of structured learning and fun evenings created the perfect balance.

Lukas: Honestly, those shared moments outside of work are what I’ll remember most.

Will this internship lead to a full-time role?

Lukas: It definitely feels like a career stepping stone. I’ll be happy if I get a return offer.

Editorial note: High-performing interns may receive return offers to join full-time in trading, research, or DeFi, depending on skills and fit.

Final thoughts

The interns agreed: the mix of games, lectures, real projects, and evening fun made the summer unique. They learned fast, built friendships, and got a true taste of trading culture.

Bratislava proved to be the perfect setting. It’s a safe, vibrant, and welcoming city. For many, this was not just an internship, but a community experience they’ll never forget.

Would you like to join next year? Apply now! We’re already looking forward to the next group of interns.

Photo: Lenka Kandrava (2025)