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Ivy MBA Mind-to-Market Case Challenge

March 5, 2026 @ 5:30 pm – March 7, 2026 @ 7:00 pm CST

Judi Eyles, director of the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, speaks in front of a tractor during a site visit for the 2025 Ivy MBA Mind-to-Market Case Challenge in March 2025.The Ivy MBA Mind-to-Market Case Challenge brings together science and technology-related organizations and entrepreneurial-minded MBA students for an intense two-day innovation challenge.

The Ivy College of Business has partnered with the Iowa State University Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship to create an exceptional applied learning experience for MBA students interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. The live case will be drawn from a tenant in the Iowa State University Research Park, a 550+ acre innovation community and incubator for new and expanding businesses in Ames, Iowa.

Registration

Registration is now closed for the 2026 case challenge. To add your team to the waitlist, please contact Sarah Wilson, director of professional masters student services, at slwilson@iastate.edu.

Eligibility

  • 3-4 full-time MBA students per team.
  • Limited to nine invited teams, including the host university.

All registered teams will be invited to a virtual informational meeting (date TBD). This 30-minute meeting will provide an overview of the competition schedule and logistics, and give team members an opportunity to ask questions.

Team awards

Final round

  • First place: $5,000
  • Second place: $3,000
  • Third place: $1,000

Divisional rounds

  • Best presenter: $250
  • Best Q & A: $250

Transportation

Teams are responsible for transportation costs to and from the case challenge.

Cost

  • $200 registration fee will be applied toward your hotel accommodations at the Gateway Hotel in Ames.
  • Teams are responsible for their hotel costs.
  • Meals are covered by the host university during the two-day challenge.

Schedule of events

Thursday, March 5Business Cafe, Gerdin Business Building
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.Welcome reception and social for teams (heavy hors d’oeuvres served)
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.Social for teams at CyBowl & Billiards
Friday, March 6Economic Development Core Facility, ISU Research Park
7:30 – 8:00 a.m.Breakfast
8:00 – 8:15 a.m.Case competition welcome
8:15 – 11:45 a.m.Case company tour and overview
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Team worktime
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.Lunch (grab and go)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.10-minute Q&A sessions with company representatives (at Economic Development Core Facility)
2:30 – 6:00 p.m.Team worktime
6:00 – 6:30 p.m.Dinner
6:30 – 11:00 p.m.Team worktime
Saturday, March 7Economic Development Core Facility, ISU Research Park
7:30 – 8:15 a.m.Breakfast and presentation order announced
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.Divisional round
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.Divisional round
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Divisional round
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.Lunch
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.Final round
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.Final round
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.Final round
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.Banquet and awards program

Want to learn more?

Please contact Sarah Wilson, director of professional masters student services, at slwilson@iastate.edu.

Read about the 2025 MBA Mind-to-Market Case Challenge.

MBA students listen to a speaker during a site visit for the Ivy MBA Mind-to-Market Case Challenge in March 2025.
Three students present their recommendations at the 2025 Ivy MBA Mind-to-Market Case Challenge.
A team of four students poses with their trophy and extra-large novelty check after the 2025 Ivy MBA Mind-to-Market Case Challenge.

Gerdin Business Building

2167 Union Drive
Ames, IA 50011 United States + Google Map