MBA Case Competition

MBA_competiton

Register now to attend the 2016 International MBA Case Competition event!

Competition Overview

The Aspen Institute’s Business & Society International MBA Case Competition was founded in 2010, inspired by the Walter V. Shipley Business Leadership Competition that the Aspen Institute administered from 2002-2008, as well as by a strong desire to craft a best-in-class incentive program that encouraged future business leaders to innovate at the intersection of corporate profitability and positive social, environmental and ethical impact.

Now in its seventh year, the Competition offers a singular opportunity for more than 1,000 students from 25 business schools worldwide to reflect on the significant influence – and potential for good – that a well-managed business can have in society. The program is consistently at capacity, with a waiting list of MBA programs forming a year in advance. With a prize pool of $35,000 – unmatched in the MBA case competition circuit – Aspen’s program aims to communicate that social, environmental and ethical issues are not at the periphery of business; indeed, they are central to business growth in the 21st century.

For more information, please visit www.aspencasecompetition.com.

The 2016 MBA Case Competition:

  • Round One: The newly-authored case study is released to students and each of the 25 participating schools hosts an on-campus competition.
  • Round Two: A panel of academic advisors to the Aspen Institute reviews all written responses by the 25 first place on-campus teams. This review will take place from April 15-21.
  • Round Three: On April 28-29, the 5 finalist teams will present their ideas – through both their previously written submission for Round One as well as a newly created PowerPoint presentation – to a panel of esteemed judges, representing industry, academia and the social sector.
  • The Aspen Institute’s 2016 Business & Society International MBA Case Competition prize purse totals just under $35,000.
  • Primary transportation to New York City (e.g., economy-class flight) and hotel accommodations for finalist students will be arranged by the Aspen Institute, and paid for up to $1,200 per student.

Celebratory Breakfast Event: Join us on Friday, April 29th at 8:00AM to celebrate the winning MBA teams! The event will feature a case presentation from the winning MBA team focused on a complex, real-life business challenge being undertaken by a multinational company.  The program will also include a conversation with thought leaders on the topic of “21st Century Leadership” and the roles of business and higher education in societal change.  Register online here.

For more information about The International MBA Case Competition, including a guide for participants, partnership opportunities, and press coverage, please visit our website or contact Justin Goldbach.

The 2015 MBA Case Competition Results

Students representing 25 business schools analyzed a brand new case study, authored by the Yale School of Management, focused on creating and revising corporate responsibility metrics for AXA, a worldwide leader in financial protection strategies and wealth management. In addition to commemorative trophies, the the competition finalists were awarded a total of $46,250 in scholarship funds at a breakfast event at the Yale Club of New York City attended by 200 guests, including Mark Pearson, CEO of AXA US, on Friday, April 17.

Congratulations to this year’s winning teams!

  • 1st Place: Wilfrid Laurier University, School of Business and Economics (Canada), awarded $15,000 in scholarship funds
  • 2nd Place: Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, awarded $7,500 in scholarship funds
  • 3rd Place: University of Iowa, Henry B. Tippie School of Management, awarded $5,000 in scholarship funds
  • 4th Place: University of Denver, Daniels College of Business, awarded $2,500 in scholarship funds
  • 5th Place: The George Washington University School of Business, awarded $1,250 in scholarship funds

The inaugural BNY Mellon Social Finance Prize was awarded to the team from Rutgers University, who recommended that a major NGO in social responsibility in the financial services industry extend their recently completed research to develop industry standards. BNY Mellon will dedicate $15,000 to fund the team’s recommendation and will also provide the winning team with a $2,500 honorarium. Read the full story online.

For a full recap of the 2015 Case Competition, check out the official press release.

“Reading the raw case format and figuring out what’s important & what’s not while answering the question was a real challenge. I have never thought as hard & as critically in my entire MBA experience. Win or lose, the Competition has been the highlight of my MBA.”
— Albert Tam, member of the 2015 Wilfrid Laurier University first place team