Competitions

International Business Agility Labs

Develop your business resilience and gain hands-on case experience working with students around the world.

Through these labs, students will gain multiple global perspectives in a fast-paced, intensive, and hands-on competition while working on a real global business issue.

The IB Agility Labs are short-term virtual case challenges that allow undergraduate students to learn from global business leaders, collaborate with international peers, and focus on business resilience. Students will benefit from exposure to an international company, work on teams with business students around the world, and gain hands-on case experience to build their resumes and CVs. These labs are offered at no cost to students.

You can learn more about the IB Agility Labs and read about previous labs at go.umd.edu/IBAgilityLabs. 

IB Agility Lab: FinTech in Singapore
October 14- 29, 2021

October 14 Receive case and begin working on mixed multinational teams
October 21 Orientation and cultural activity
October 22 Economic overview and company presentation 
October 25 First round of competition: submit a video recording of presentation
October 27 Final teams are announced
October 29 Final team presentations

IB Agility Lab: Sustainability in Iceland
November 4-19, 2021

November 4 Receive case and begin working on mixed multinational teams
November 11 Orientation and cultural activity
November 12 Economic overview and company presentation 
November 15 First round of competition: submit a video recording of presentation
November 17 Final teams are announced
November 19 Final team presentations

Each IB Agility Lab will feature:

  • Live case from a non-U.S. company
  • Students placed on mixed multinational teams
  • Introduction to doing business in the country of focus
  • Virtual cultural activity and student mixer
  • Asynchronous and synchronous sessions

Eligibility

The IB Agility Labs are open to all second-year sophomore to senior undergraduate business majors and minors.

About the Case

The live case for each lab will be from a company based outside of the U.S. and will focus on one of the following cross-functional themes: fintech, sustainability, e-commerce, and innovation. Students will hear directly from business leaders about the business problem before presenting their analysis and recommendations to the company and panel of judges.

The Format

Each IB Agility Lab will be completely virtual and will include synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Round one of the competition will be a recorded presentation submission and round two of the competition (final round) will be live. The exact timing of each lab will be announced closer to the start date and will vary based on the time zones of the company and the participants. All students will be expected to adapt to working across time zones, as this is the reality of doing business across borders. A sample schedule is included below.

Week 1

  • Receive case and begin working on mixed multinational teams

Week 2

  • Continue working on case
  • Attend LIVE virtual orientation and cultural activity
  • Attend LIVE virtual economic overview and company/case presentation

Week 3

  • First round of competition: submit a video recording of presentation
  • Final teams are announced
  • Attend LIVE final team presentations
  • Receive participation certificate

All sessions will be recorded should students have a scheduling conflict due to classes or other priorities.

Information for International Partners

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is proud to partner with esteemed business schools around the world. If you are from a Global Business School Network (GBSN) member school or a Maryland Smith international exchange partner and would like more information about the International Business Agility Labs please email Greg Rafal, assistant director of CGB, at grafal@umd.edu.

Please see below news stories about the previous IB Agility Labs.

Nominate Students

Please nominate 10-12 students from your university by completing the nomination form below by Thursday, September 16, 2021. The form will ask you to upload an excel file with the following information for each nominated student. 

  • First name of student
  • Surname of student
  • Student email (we will use this email to communicate directly with the student)
  • Major at home university
  • Current year of university study
Nominate Students

Given the overwhelming response from interested partners, nominations will be accepted on a rolling basis. For that reason we ask that you submit nominations as soon as you are able and no later than the nomination deadline. In the spirit of collaboration during these uncertain times, we are pleased to offer this program to our valued partners at no cost.

Questions?

If you have any questions please contact Greg Rafal, assistant director, CGB at GRafal@umd.edu or email smithglobal@umd.edu.

Learn More

This event is sponsored in part by CIBE, a Title VI grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The 2021 EFMD Case Writing Competition is OPEN!

Case-Writing-AWARDS-Case-centre-cut

Innovation and creativity

With the support of the Case Centre and our category sponsors, the case writing competition encourages innovative and impactful case writing and teaching. Take part in this yearly case writing competition, organized since 1988.

Join a learning community

You get a chance to be assessed by an international judging panel, who reviews more than 400 cases every year; have an impact on teaching management development and join a community of outstanding innovators.

Impact on management development

Through seventeen categories representing critical managerial areas, you can contribute to management development and some of its future challenges.

Evaluation criteria

  1. Content: The ability to create a strong and interesting learning experience
  2. Form: A good balance between a well-told story and sufficient data 
  3. The teaching notes: Accompanying each submission to enhance the learner’s experience
  4. Innovation: Ideas should improve teaching and student engagement

CASE WRITING AWARDS BENEFIT

  • SHOWCASEBe published by the Case Centre and gain wide visibility across the EFMD network
  • AWARDGet a chance to be awarded with €2000, applicable to all the winning cases
  • INSPIREImpact students of management institutions across the globe and practitioners seeking innovations
  • SHAREEngage with incumbent organisations in discussing strategic business solutions

IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE 2021 EDITION


June 2021: Submission Open
31 October: Deadline for Case Submission
April 2022: Winners Announcement

Submit your case

Submissions Categories

1

African Business Cases

Cases on an African company or a multinational company operating on the African continent in any of the business disciplines, including strategy, entrepreneurship, marketing, OB&HR, supply chain, finance, etc. It must deal with critical challenges, issues, or decisions that students can analyze using theories, frameworks, and analytical methods and tools.

2

Bringing Technology to Market

This category welcomes cases featuring current and future challenges of industrial companies in global B2B markets and their strategies to remain competitive. Cases can focus on industrial companies

  • introducing digital-based solutions
  • going global
  • implementing innovative business models
  • sustaining a quality leadership position
  • fighting low-cost competition

3

Continuous Improvement: The Journey to Excellence

Continuous Improvement emphasizes the need to create a culture of progress among companies, permanent change in search of competitiveness, and excellence to improve the business over time. Cases should focus on specific projects leading toward greater efficiency, productivity and the creation of value for clients, which eventually become part of the company’s philosophy.

4

Corporate Social Responsibility

Cases addressing innovative ways companies manage the demands for socially and environmentally circular business practices. Circular context introduces complexity but permits to identify practices in relation to important challenges to promote responsible business. Cases can come from any disciplinary perspective (operations, strategy, finance, etc.).

5

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurial processes are present in large organizations as well as in public and social sectors. Cases which address entrepreneurship within these broad sectors are invited.

6

Family Business

This category welcomes case studies featuring inter-disciplinary coverage of family business entrepreneurship related issues. Scholars and other research practitioners are invited to submit case studies addressing various themes: strategy development of a new start-up; family business serial entrepreneurship and many more.

6

Finance and Banking

Cases submitted for this category should have a clear link to business situations occurring in the sector of Finance and Banking.

7

Hidden Champions

“Hidden champions” are large medium-sized companies which hold a leading international market position but aren’t well known to the general public. Cases focus on the challenges of hidden champions to support them in even better mastering their jobs. Topics include international growth strategies, innovation, digital transformation, marketing and sales management, leadership, and corporate culture.

8

Inclusive Business Models

Cases embracing inclusive business models, i.e. commercially viable models that include the poor on the demand side as clients and customers, and on the supply side as employees, producers and business owners at various points in the value chain. These firm-level case studies will provide insights into the effects inclusive business models have on communities, environment and profitability.

9

Latin American Business Cases

Cases describing business development in Latin America, which can feature all types of disciplines of the Business Administration (Strategy, Foresight, Innovation, Marketing, Internationalization, Human Resources, etc.) and cover challenges related to internalization of the regional companies and many more.

10

MENA Business Cases

The MENA Business Cases category focuses on the MENA region, which is experiencing fast development, and whose prospects are promising. Contribute to business cases in the MENA region and stimulate the development of teaching materials related to the main issues characterizing the region.

11

Responsible Business

This mainly include cases that address corporate governance, financial reporting and auditing, integrated reporting, anti-corruption, business ethics, social marketing, gender equality, corporate sustainability, and responsible business education and practices.

This track is believed to add knowledge to different stakeholders about the area of responsible business highlighting its extreme importance. 

12

Responsible Leadership

Responsible leaders demonstrate through example their commitment to leading with integrity and to values-driven decision making that considers interests of shareholders, employees, clients, the environment, and the community. Cases are welcome which address the challenges leaders face engaging diverse stakeholders in the creation of economic and social value.

13

Women in Business

Case studies featuring women protagonists in the business environment and focusing on the challenges and issues faced by women in business; how women either overcame these to find growth and success, or lessons drawn from having been inhibited by them. The cases can address a variety of topics and situations, such as women as leaders and entrepreneurs, gender equality, changing workplace dynamics and how to tap into visible or invisible opportunities.

click here For more information

Entrepreneurship World Cup

All entrepreneurs. All stages. Everywhere. Whether you are dreaming about launching a startup or you already have a Series A round, the Entrepreneurship World Cup can help you take your next big step.

The Entrepreneurship World Cup is more than just a pitch competition. It gives everyone who enters access to the knowledge, networks, and for some, the capital they need to start and scale a company.

The EWC started out as an idea- and now supports 175,000 entrepreneurs in 200 countries. It is made possible by three co-host organizations – Misk Global Forum, Global Entrepreneurship Network and The Global Education & Leadership Foundation.

Stages

Idea Stage
Do you have an idea for a new company, but aren’t sure how to start or find the resources you need to take the next step? EWC helps you unleash your idea with free on-demand training and $10,000 in perks – just for signing up.– Plus, you have a chance to win $50,000 in cash prizes and to meet and network with and top investors locally and internationally. Being an EWC alumni will give you access to an international community.

Early Stage
Do you have an emerging startup and want to accelerate its trajectory? EWC empowers early-stage founders with access to world-class educational resources, training and up to $750,000 in perks — as well as a chance to sharpen your skills through a global pitch competition and win up to $500,000 in cash prizes. You will also have a chance to meet and network with peers and top investors locally and internationally. Being an EWC alumni will give you access to an international community.

Growth Stage
Have you already found your market fit, started gaining serious traction and have an initial round of funding secured? EWC provides you with a global network of potential collaborators and expert mentors to help you achieve exponential growth – and a chance to win a no-strings attached check for $500,000. Plus, a chance to meet and network with peers and top investors locally and internationally. Being an EWC alumni will give you access toan international community.

Cash Prizes

EWC is all about the entire experience – training, resources, connections, mentorship and more. But on top of that, we have some amazing, impactful prizes – more than $1 million in cash total for the global winners plus $75 million worth of in-kind support for the top 100 global finalists, not to mention investment opportunities and awesome resources and perks from our leading partners. In addition to these global prizes,many EWC national competitions offer their own prizes.

Timeline

  • February – May 2021, Accelerate 1: Startups are put through a series of education and virtual training opportunities to sharpen their skills around areas such as customer & industry knowledge; personal & team skills; creativity & problem solving, and business acumen.
  • May – July 2021, National Competition: Competitions happening simultaneously in 100+ countries, virtually and at in-person live events. Winners receive national prizes and advance to stage 3.
  • August – September 2021, Accelerate 2: Startups are put through a series of education and virtual training opportunities to sharpen their skills around areas such as customer & industry knowledge; personal & team skills; creativity & problem solving, and business acumen.
  • November 2021, Global Finals: The top 100 global finalists travel to the EWC Global Finals for a bootcamp and the finals round of the competition where they can network with potential investors and compete on stage for cash prizes and support services.

Learn More

To learn more about the Entrepreneurship World Cup including benefits, judges, events, new +updates, overview and partner application, use the button below.

Learn More about the EWC
Sign up for the Entrepreneurship World Cup Now

International Case Competition, AUC School of Business

Competition Overview

The AUC School of Business, Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), El-Khazindar Business Research and Case Center (KCC) and Business Association (BA), are launching an online 24-hour International Case Competition (ICC).

The International Case Competition aims to empower innovative undergraduate students and university networks to raise their awareness of steps taken in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and engage in developing solutions to enhance the business operations of emerging startups facing the current challenges provided by the outbreak of COVID – 19.

This year the ICC would run on a virtual platform for 2 consecutive days on March 26 & 27, 2021. Students will come up with innovative solutions and creative breakthroughs to ensure providing a unique experience not just to participating teams but also to the startup. The ICC 2021 case tells the story of a recently established startup. The startup’s concept mixes tradition with technology to improve the quality of life of city dwellers.

You will have the chance to win a monetary prize!!

Details on Eligibility

Please note:
1. Participating teams should consist of 3-4 undergraduate students.

2. You cannot register as an individual you have to be in teams.

Further details will be communicated to the teams through email.

Application Information

To apply, visit: http://bit.ly/2NiDpks

Key Deadlines and Dates

– Registration Deadline: Monday, March 22, 2021 at 11:59PM (Cairo local time)
– Opening Ceremony and Introduction: Friday, March 26, 2021
– Competition day: Saturday, March 27, 2021
– Case presentations and closing ceremony: Saturday, March 27, 2021

More Information

SEED Awards 2021

Overview

The SEED Awards is an awards scheme designed to celebrate the most innovative and promising locally led enterprises in sustainable development. Each year, multiple award categories are offered, ranging from country- or region-specific topics. This year there are two (2) categories: SEED Low Carbon Awards and SEED Climate Adaptation Awards. SEED Award Winners and Runners-up are eligible for participation in our Accelerator and Catalyser programmes, respectively. Winners receive a matching grant up to 15,000 EUR and a 12-month support package.

The SEED Awards support established eco-inclusive enterprises that have proven market transactions (you have started selling your products/services). Applications should present a clear business case and feasible financial sustainability for its current/future revenue model. Applications that have potential to scale and can be replicated in order to maximise impact will be highly favoured.

This year there are two SEED Awards categories. Depending on your eco-inclusive enterprise and where it is operational, you may apply for only one of the categories:

  • SEED Low Carbon Awards: Ghana, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Thailand & Uganda
    • SEED Low Carbon Awards are open for eco-inclusive enterprises whose key activities, products and services contribute to a low carbon reality, climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation. The enterprises in the sectors of biodiversity, clean energy, green technologies, sustainable agriculture, waste management and resource efficiency as well as water, sanitation & health are all eligible in this Awards Scheme.
  • SEED Climate Adaptation Awards: Botswana, Malawi, Zambia
    • SEED Climate Adaptation Awards are open for eco-inclusive enterprises that prevent or minimise damages caused by global warming and fluctuating weather patterns. In other words, SEED Climate Change Adaptation Awards look for enterprises that provide solutions to respond to effects of climate change or prepare for future impacts. Examples include supporting efficient use of scarce water resources; developing drought-tolerant crops; food insecurity prevention; coastal management, natural disasters management and warning system etc.

When selecting SEED Award recipients, we look for enterprises that 1) demonstrate entrepreneurship and innovation; 2) deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits; 3) have the potential to scale-up and/or be replicated in other contexts; 4) are at early to growth stages; 5) have the intention and potential to become financially stable; 6) are in partnerships with different stakeholder groups; 7) are locally founded or locally led and 8) meet country and/or sector requirements.

Eligibility

The SEED Awards 2021 are open to eco-inclusive enterprises from Botswana, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malawi, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, and Zambia.

All eco-inclusive enterprises from eligible countries of each award category are welcome to apply.

Regardless of the entity’s legal status, eco inclusive enterprises refer to enterprises that contribute to sustainable development. They are market-driven entities that provide solutions to social and environmental problems.

They create impact in marginalised communities, and contribute to eliminating poverty through pioneer business models based on sustainability and the creation of responsible products, services and value chains. These enterprises are ideally located within communities and generate lasting social and economic opportunities. They employ and incorporate low-income or vulnerable populations, including women and unemployed youth, in their value chains as suppliers, distributors and consumers.

Application Process

Entries for the SEED Awards 2021 opened on 1st Feb 2021. Applications are accepted on the SEED Platform at https://app.seed.uno/. New users will need to register for a new account to be able to access the application form. This provides secure access to all the information you will need to submit an application.

Registration is now open. We encourage you to register early to the platform to receive updated information about the SEED Awards.

Applications are only accepted on the SEED Platform. That said, we endeavour to support all applicants as much as possible. Please contact the SEED Awards team about your situation.

Applications must be completed in English. To support non-native English speakers, we also provide pdf versions of the application form in local languages on our platform, which applicants can download as a reference.

Awards

SEED Low Carbon Awards: Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, India, Indonesia, Thailand

  • 6 Winners receive 1 year SEED Accelerator support & 10,000 EUR matching grant each
  • 24 Runners-up receive 6 months SEED Catalyser support & 1,500 EUR grant each

SEED Climate Adaption Awards: Botswana, Malawi, Zambia

  • 3 Winners receive 1 year SEED Accelerator support & 15,000 EUR matching grant each
  • 15 Runners-up receive SEED Catalyser support & 1,500 EUR matching grant each

Winners and Runners-up will also receive Support Packages containing:

  • Business capacity building through SEED Catalyser or SEED Accelerator workshops
  • Expert advisory on business and financial planning
  • SEED Enterprise Toolkit for collaborating and hands-on design thinking methods for enterprise development
  • Global profiling at high-level Awards ceremony and SEED partner events
  • Networking opportunities through global SEED communication networks and via your own SEED enterprise profile

Registration Information

To register & apply visit app.seed.uno.

Key Deadlines and Dates

  • February 1st, 2021: Registration opens
  • March 22nd, 2021: Registration closes
  • June 2021: SEED Awards winners and runners-up announcement

Contact Information

Email: seedawards2021@seed.uno

Messenger: https://m.me/seed.uno

Download the Application Guide
Download the FAQs
Visit the SEED Awards Website

2021 International Challenge for Integrated Simulation and Decision Making in Economics

Competition Overview

The International Challenge for Data Analysis and Decision Making in Economics is an international economic event for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Teams need to pass the preliminary round before they can enter the final to compete for the top prize and have a chance to win a $10,000 cash prize.

The competition uses the Integrated Simulation Training Platform for Economics V2.2, the first part of which is Microeconomic Rational Decision Making. The business operations in this part, the vendor competition modules in the software, include cash management module, raw material and factor supply, market demand bidding, production/delivery/technology renovation, government supervision, etc. In this part the software automatically scores each group by comparing their final equity. Part two is macroeconomic regulation and forecasting. In this part each team runs for government every year, enacts macroeconomic policies, and regulates the economy to achieve desired goals. And the other non-elected groups can forecast economic indicators. The software will automatically score groups based on their achievement of macro goals or forecast accuracy.

Entry Requirements

There is no restriction on the amount of teams per university. No requirement for major, but the contestants should be postgraduate, undergraduate with relevant knowledge (each team should have at most one postgraduate). What is more, each team of 2-3 students must have 1-3 instructors, and 1 teacher can also instruct more than one team, but each student can only participate in one team.

Participating in the preliminaries need to reach 240 points through practice.

Registration Process

1. Enter the official website of the competition to register and submit your registration information online at: global.jiecl.com.
2. By June 7, 2021(China time), the tournament organizers will announce the successfully registered teams on the official website.
3. Costs: There are no registration or entry fees, but if you need certificates and medals, you will pay for them.

Training Schedule

Training will take place from April to May 2021 on Online Zoom and will feature learning videos (contains a series of competition tips videos) and quick entry strategy.

Registration Information

To register, visit http://global.jiecl.com/lan-en/index.aspx?competitionid=3872010358759755000

Key Deadlines and Dates

  • May 31st, 2021: Registration deadline (24:00 China time)
  • April – May 2021: Online training
  • June 2021: Preliminary contest time
  • June 7th, 2021: Announce successfully registered teams
  • September – October 2021: Final competition date
  • October 2021: Award ceremony (in-person COVID permitting)
Visit the International Challenge for Integrated Simulation and Decision Making in Economics website

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Global Case Writing Competition, University of Michigan

WDI Publishing and the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business are accepting submissions for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Global Case Writing Competition. Entry forms are due by November 23, 2020, and final submissions are due by March 24, 2021.

Competition Overview

WDI Publishing and the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and its Sanger Leadership Center are joining together to launch the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Global Case Writing Competition. Open to university students and educators from around the world, this competition is seeking academic case studies about a DEI-related business dilemma within one, or across multiple, business disciplines. It is designed as a catalyst to generate new teaching materials that increase student understanding and inspire critical thinking for implementing effective DEI within businesses and organizations across the globe.

The contest is divided into two tracks, each of which will award prize money of $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second place and $2,500 for third place, and an honorable mention, as deemed by the competition judges. The top three winners for each track also will be honored with the publication of their cases by WDI Publishing or the Sanger Leadership Center.

The competition’s first track involves the creation of a traditional business case study and an accompanying teaching note. The second track requires a submission for the Sanger Leadership Center’s flagship Leadership Crisis Challenge. An LCC case is based on a traditional case study, however, is written and designed as a real-time, role-playing event that offers students a rigorous opportunity for action-based learning.

Details on Eligibility

  • Individual students or student teams (graduate or undergraduate) may enter but must enter in collaboration with a faculty member or instructor from an accredited university/college, in the U.S. or internationally.
  • Individual faculty/instructors or teams from an accredited university/college (in the U.S. or internationally) may enter.
  • Others may enter, but must do so in collaboration with a faculty member or instructor from an accredited university/college, in the U.S. or internationally.

Application Information

To apply, visit: https://wdi-publishing.com/dei-competition/

Key deadlines and dates:

  • Nov. 23, 2020: Entry forms due. (Entry form only, NOT final submissions.)
  • March 24, 2021: Final submission documents due.
  • June 2, 2021: Public announcement of winners.

More Information

>