Case Competitions

Students will apply classroom knowledge to a real, ambiguous business challenge, developing critical thinking, analytical, problem-solving, teamwork, and presentation skills along the way. Working in teams, participants will analyze a complex problem, develop a strategic recommendation, and present their solution to a panel of judges for a chance to win a grand prize.

Date: Friday, November 6
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST* (subject to change based on the number of teams)
Location: Fairlane Center South (FCS) Dining Room D

Participate for a chance to:

• Win a grand prize
• Network with industry experts and fellow UM-Dearborn students
• Enhance your skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, research, analysis, and more!

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the case competition workshop led by COB faculty to prepare for the UM-Dearborn competition. The Workshop will take place on Friday, September 25. 

To be considered for one of the regional/national case competition travel teams, workshop attendance is required.

The registration deadline for the workshop is 12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, September 23.

This competition invites teams of 3-4 current UM-Dearborn students to present strategies to a real business challenge through a multi-step process.

Step 1: Case Competition Workshop

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the case competition workshop led by dedicated College of Business faculty on Friday, September 25. Participants will receive a training certificate.

To be considered for one of the regional/national case competition travel teams, you are required to attend the workshop.

Step 2: Case Release

The case will be released to students on Friday, October 16.

Students will have until the 2:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, November 5 to work with their team to conduct research, analyze data, and build their presentations.

Step 3: Case Competition Day

Each team will present their unique solution to a panel of judges for the chance to win the grand prize.

At the competition, teams will deliver 15-minute live presentations to a panel of judges, that include:

• Clear identification of the problem/opportunity
• Recommendations supported by evidence and analysis
• Recommendations that address feasibility and implementation
• Consider financial implications, risks, and measures of success
• Propose potential alternatives

The grand prize is awarded based on the judges' evaluations.

The competition is open to all current UM-Dearborn students. Teams can be interdisciplinary and contain both undergraduate and graduate students.

• Students must register to participate by 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, October 11.
• Teams must consist of 3-4 current UM-Dearborn students. Students may register as a team, as a partial team, or individually.
• Students may only be on one team.
• Students who attend the September 25 workshop and are not already on a team will be assigned to one at the end of the workshop.
• Students who register individually or as a partial team will be assigned to a team by Wednesday, October 14, if they were not already assigned to one at the workshop.
• Team composition may not be changed once teams are finalized on Wednesday, October 14. 
• After teams are finalized, students may withdraw from the competition, but no new students may be added to a team. If a student withdraws, or if a team member becomes unable to participate due to illness, emergency, or another extenuating circumstance, the remaining team members may continue competing with fewer than three members at the discretion of the competition organizer.
• Students are responsible for notifying the competition organizer of any changes to their team's membership before the October 14 team finalization deadline.
• The case will be released to teams on Friday, October 16.
• Students are expected to conduct research using free and publicly available resources to develop and present their solution.
• Contacting the case company, company employees, case authors, or other individuals for assistance is prohibited.
• Teams must submit an original solution developed specifically for the UM-Dearborn Case Competition. Solutions that have previously been submitted or presented in another case competition are not eligible.
• Presentations cannot exceed 15 minutes. 
• Slide presentations (e.g., PowerPoint) are required. 
• Audio and pre-recorded presentations/videos are not permitted.
• All information, data, visuals, quotations, or analysis derived from an external source must be appropriately cited in the presentation.
• Judges will have a designated Q&A after each presentation.
• All registered team members are expected to attend the competition in person and actively participate in the presentation and/or Q&A.
• At least one team member must be present at the award ceremony to receive any prizes.
• All presentations must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. EST Thursday, November 5. Late submissions are prohibited.
• Professional business attire at the case competition is expected.
• All competition announcements and information will be distributed via email and will be posted on the case competition webpage. All students are responsible for checking the email addresses that they provided on the registration form.

Contact the Assistant Director of iLabs, Kari Kowalski, at [email protected].