What is a Case Competition?
Case competitions are an opportunity for students to work alone or together in teams to analyze a problem specific to a case study, and strategically develop the best solution(s) within the case study guidelines by a certain date. Case competitions are usually sponsored by an organization or company. Depending on each competition, student teams may be required to present to a panel of judges or to submit a final analysis to judges for review. Judges determine the “winning team” based on the judging criteria put in place.
There are many benefits to participating in case competitions:
- An opportunity to apply the knowledge and skill sets learned in the classroom learning environment to solve complex, real-world problems and receive feedback from industry professionals
- Building professional relationships through unique networking experiences
- Developing and improving leadership, organizational, presentation, case analysis, and teamwork skills
- Building your resume, boosting your confidence, and providing real-world industry exposure
- Potential interview and/or internship opportunities, as well as competitive advantages when interviewing
- Increasing your sense of belonging to the institution by representing the Zicklin School of Business
- Potential opportunities to win financial awards and professional recognition
Enrolled students will be notified by email when these competitions become open for registration. For more information, click on the links below or contact us at zicklin.gcmc@baruch.cuny.edu.
Student Testimonials
Laura Gressin, MBA '24
Kogod School of Business at American University (AU) Case Competition (Consulting and Strategy)
“The case competition was a wonderful opportunity to step out of the classroom and analyze a business to provide real-life solutions. We met with the client, we presented to an auditorium, and we greatly improved our public speaking skills. But I would be lying to you if I told you that this was the best part of the competition… because it wasn’t.
The best of the competition was my bonding experience with my teammates. It was the late nights in the hotel where everyone was focused on giving the best of themselves, it was our teammate Charlene who is an excellent public speaker and took the time to coach us into how to be one, it was the constant support we got from each other.”
PRMIA Institute Risk Management Challenge (Finance)
The challenge, now in its sixth year, is a case competition using real-world business situations that is organized by the Professional Risk Managers’ International Association (PRMIA) Institute in Northfield, MN.
“The virtual competition was a different experience but in these extraordinary times, one has to adapt,” said Kanica Khatri (MBA, ’21), adding that it “went off without a hitch” and was in some ways less distracting than a physical competition would have been: “I could minimize the other participants’ boxes. That’s one benefit of a virtual competition.”
Here are some of the open competitions available to Baruch students.
Analytics and Information Systems
Adobe Analytics Challenge
Registration deadline is usually in September every year, with the competition running until October
The Adobe Analytics Challenge is a unique analytics-focused business case competition where university students are given the opportunity to use Adobe’s industry-leading analytics products and access to real-world data from leading organizations such as Major League Baseball, T Mobile, Starwood, Lenovo, Condé Nast, Comcast, Overstock.com, Backcountry.com, Sony PlayStation, and MGM Resort International.
Baruch Data Challenge with Pitney Bowes
Registration deadline is usually in March every year, with the competition running until May
Baruch College’s Paul H. Chook Department of Information Systems and Statistics, Zicklin Graduate Career Management Center, and Starr Career Development Center, have partnered with Pitney Bowes to bring a real-world, hands-on experience for students to solve a Pitney Bowes business problem using data analytics techniques and methods.
CME Group University Trading Challenge
Registration deadline is usually in October every year, with the competition running until November
The CME Group University Trading Challenge is an electronic trading competition that allows students to experience the decision-making environment of real-time trading.
L’Oreal Brandstorm
L’Oreal Brandstorm is a worldwide innovation competition open to students up to the age of 30.
Participants have 3 tracks to choose from and to compete in (inclusive product development, sustainable beauty, and tech) in addition to getting access to a full learning path on Trailhead by Salesforce. Participants also have the opportunity to be mentored by L’Oreal business experts, stay in touch with recruiters, and win an Intrapreneurship in Paris.
Martin J. Whitman School of Management’s Case Competition
Registration deadline is usually in February every year, with the competition running until April
During the competition, MBA and MS students are given a current exciting case to create a comprehensive growth strategy solution with supporting analytical evidence. Each team presents their solution to a panel of corporate and academic judges.
Mindshare Virtual Hackathon
Usually takes place every November
Mindshare organizes a Hackathon to give graduate students an opportunity to pitch a data-driven media strategy that not only challenges creativity and problem-solving skills, but also helps prepare students for a career in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
SWIFT Institute Student Challenge
Submission deadline is usually in June every year
The SWIFT Institute Student Challenge focuses on the growing threat to the financial industry from cyber criminals and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. By participating, students are invited to interpret the annual challenge topic and develop solutions focused on technology, cultural changes, business practices, regulatory changes, or similar.
Consulting & Strategy
Baruch Data Challenge with Pitney Bowes
Registration deadline is usually in March every year, with the competition running until May
Baruch College’s Paul H. Chook Department of Information Systems and Statistics, Zicklin Graduate Career Management Center, and Starr Career Development Center, have partnered with Pitney Bowes to bring a real-world, hands-on experience for students to solve a Pitney Bowes business problem using data analytics techniques and methods.
Florida Southern Strategic MBA Case Competition
Registration deadline is usually in September every year, with the competition running until November
Teams will have one month to analyze a complex business strategy case before presenting to a panel of judges comprised of industry experts.This is an excellent opportunity for students to research, analyze, and present skills critical in the corporate world.
Kogod Case Competition
Registration deadline is usually in November every year, with the competition running until February
Case competitions focus on an issue faced by an organization and participants work together to recommend solutions to leadership in that organization. There are different formats and styles for competitions but they often come with cash prizes. Additionally, competitors build their resumes and network with employers.
ROMBA Case Competitions
Registration deadlines are usually in September every year, with the competition taking place at the ROMBA Conference
ROMBA Conference is the world’s largest gathering of LGBT+ business students and alumni. ROMBA competitions allow students and alumni to showcase their business acumen and compete for cash awards in three competitions: ROMBA Case Competition, ROMBA Mergers & Acquisitions Competition, and ROMBA Startup Pitch Competition.
St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition
Registration deadline is usually in February every year, with the competition running until March
The St. Gallen Global Essay Competition is a global student essay competition on a selected topic with business and global impact, offering students an opportunity to share, sharpen and discuss their perspectives. By participating, students also receive the opportunity to apply for participation at the St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland, which brings together leaders from business, politics, science and civil society to foster mutual understanding and joint action on pressing global issues.
Zurich Enterprise Challenge
Submission deadline is usually in June every year, with top teams selected to move onto the case challenge in July
The Zurich Enterprise Challenge gives students an opportunity to work with one of the world’s top insurance companies and interact with its corporate customers to solve real-life strategy and business challenges.
L’Oreal Brandstorm
L’Oreal Brandstorm is a worldwide innovation competition open to students up to the age of 30.
Participants have 3 tracks to choose from and to compete in (inclusive product development, sustainable beauty, and tech) in addition to getting access to a full learning path on Trailhead by Salesforce. Participants also have the opportunity to be mentored by L’Oreal business experts, stay in touch with recruiters, and win an Intrapreneurship in Paris.
Martin J. Whitman School of Management’s Case Competition
Registration deadline is usually in February every year, with the competition running until April
During the competition, MBA and MS students are given a current exciting case to create a comprehensive growth strategy solution with supporting analytical evidence. Each team presents their solution to a panel of corporate and academic judges.
Entrepreneurship & Start-ups
L’Oreal Brandstorm is a worldwide innovation competition open to students up to the age of 30.
Participants have 3 tracks to choose from and to compete in (inclusive product development, sustainable beauty, and tech) in addition to getting access to a full learning path on Trailhead by Salesforce. Participants also have the opportunity to be mentored by L’Oreal business experts, stay in touch with recruiters, and win an Intrapreneurship in Paris.
Martin J. Whitman School of Management’s Case Competition
Registration deadline is usually in February every year, with the competition running until April
During the competition, MBA and MS students are given a current exciting case to create a comprehensive growth strategy solution with supporting analytical evidence. Each team presents their solution to a panel of corporate and academic judges.
Rice University Business Plan Competition
Registration deadline is usually in January every year, with the finals taking place in April
The competition gives collegiate entrepreneurs real-world experience to pitch their startups, enhance their business strategy and learn what it takes to launch a successful company.
ROMBA Case Competitions
Registration deadlines are usually in September every year, with the competition taking place at the ROMBA Conference
ROMBA Conference is the world’s largest gathering of LGBT+ business students and alumni. ROMBA competitions allow students and alumni to showcase their business acumen and compete for cash awards in three competitions: ROMBA Case Competition, ROMBA Mergers & Acquisitions Competition, and ROMBA Startup Pitch Competition.
Venture Capital Investment Competition
Registration deadline is usually in November every year, with the competition running until April
Global VCIC is the worl’’s largest venture capital competition with over 120 university and graduate school teams competing. VCIC is the only place where students get to be VCs for the day and startups get an accelerator for the fundraising process.
ESG & CSR
Neuberger Berman ESG Investing Challenge
Registration deadline is usually in October every year, with the competition running until December
Participating students teams will be paired with mentors from Neuberger Berman to identify publicly listed equity investments whose business objectives are aligned with the ESG theme and are expected to generate positive financial performance.
Simon Fraser University (SFU) Net Impact Sustainability Challenge
Registration deadlines are usually in March every year, with the competition running until May
This is an opportunity for MBA students with an interest in sustainability to apply learned skills developed during the year, obtain feedback from a panel of judges and network with like-minded individuals and industry leaders. In addition, professionals gain valuable insight and strategic problem-solving resources otherwise unavailable to them. Students also gain lifetime experiences and a chance to win prize money for their team.
Smeal MBA Sustainability Case Competition
Registration deadlines are usually in October every year, with the competition running until November
The Smeal College of Business’ MBA sustainability case competition helps students develop the ability to make a compelling business case for integrating sustainability into a company’s operations, products, or governance. The Competition has engaged over 800 MBA students from the nation’s most prestigious institutions.
Finance
ACG Western Michigan Case
Registration deadline is usually in January every year, with the competition running until March
ACG Cup is an intercollegiate competition among business school students from colleges and universities across the nation. During the competition, students analyze complex business cases and present strategies involving merger and acquisition alternatives, valuation, capital markets, finance options, and corporate strategy. Student participants will gain experience in a real-world context, receive feedback from leaders in the local business community, create networks, and compete for a cash prize.
CFA Institute Research Challenge
Usually takes place every year in February
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis and professional ethics. Each student will be tested on their analytical, valuation, report writing, and presentation skills. They gain real-world experience as they assume the role of a research analyst.
CME Group University Trading Challenge
Registration deadline is usually in October every year, with the competition running until November
The CME Group University Trading Challenge is an electronic trading competition that allows students to experience the decision-making environment of real-time trading.
Cornell Emerging Markets Institute Case Competition
Registration deadline is usually in September every year, with the competition running until November
The competition focuses on identifying and answering questions that real businesses and management face in relation with emerging markets. The growing role of Emerging Multinationals in the business world continues to evolve, and this case competition seeks to challenge us to think about how to navigate in a changing context.
Cornell Investment Portfolio Case Competition
Registration deadline is usually in December every year, with the competition running until January
The Cornell Investment Portfolio Case Competition is an intercollegiate portfolio design competition. It is offered to create awareness of portfolio management careers and facilitate students’ networking and recruiting opportunities in the field with sponsoring firms.
Martin J. Whitman School of Management’s Case Competition
Registration deadline is usually in February every year, with the competition running until April
During the competition, MBA and MS students are given a current exciting case to create a comprehensive growth strategy solution with supporting analytical evidence. Each team presents their solution to a panel of corporate and academic judges.
Neuberger Berman ESG Investing Challenge
Registration deadline is usually in October every year, with the competition running until December
Participating students teams will be paired with mentors from Neuberger Berman to identify publicly listed equity investments whose business objectives are aligned with the ESG theme and are expected to generate positive financial performance.
PRMIA Institute Risk Management Challenge
Registration deadline is usually in December every year, with the competition running until March
The Risk Management Challenge, a risk-management case competition of the PRMIA (Professional Risk Manager’s International Association) Institute, empowers students by taking them beyond the classroom and giving them exposure to real-world business situations.
ROMBA Case Competitions
Registration deadlines are usually in September every year, with the competition taking place at the ROMBA Conference
ROMBA Conference is the world’s largest gathering of LGBT+ business students and alumni. ROMBA competitions allow students and alumni to showcase their business acumen and compete for cash awards in three competitions: ROMBA Case Competition, ROMBA Mergers & Acquisitions Competition, and ROMBA Startup Pitch Competition
SWIFT Institute Student Challenge
Submission deadline is usually in June every year
The SWIFT Institute Student Challenge focuses on the growing threat to the financial industry from cyber criminals and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. By participating, students are invited to interpret the annual challenge topic and develop solutions focused on technology, cultural changes, business practices, regulatory changes, or similar.
Venture Capital Investment Competition
Registration deadline is usually in November every year, with the competition running until April
Global VCIC is the worl’’s largest venture capital competition with over 120 university and graduate school teams competing. VCIC is the only place where students get to be VCs for the day and startups get an accelerator for the fundraising process.
Zurich Enterprise Challenge
Submission deadline is usually in June every year, with top teams selected to move onto the case challenge in July
The Zurich Enterprise Challenge gives students an opportunity to work with one of the world’s top insurance companies and interact with its corporate customers to solve real-life strategy and business challenges.
