MBA Internal Case Competition

Full-time MBA students participate in a team case competition at the conclusion of their core courses. This culminating event allows students to apply the knowledge and skills learned in their core courses to a real-world scenario.

During the two-day competition, MBA student teams are handed a business case and given 24 hours to analyze the case and prepare a presentation with their findings and recommendations. On the second day, student teams present their ideas to a panel of judges comprised of business executives and faculty. Winning teams from each division advance to the final round of competition, repeating their presentation to a new panel of judges. Scholarships are awarded to the top-performing teams and individuals at a banquet following the competition.

We are excited to host our 21st year of the Ivy MBA Internal Case Competition this fall.
Event date: December 4-5, 2025
Location: Gerdin Business Building

2024 20th Anniversary event recap

History

In 2005, the Iowa State University MBA Case Competition was launched thanks to the generous support of Bill Kalm (’73, industrial administration; ’77, interdisciplinary industrial administration sciences) a former senior partner with Accenture. We continue to host the internal case competition due to the active involvement and generosity of Bill and his wife, Raedene, who fund the awards and scholarships for the event. Our sincere thanks to them both.

Kalm was inspired to support the case competition idea in gratitude to Emeritus Professor Charles B. Handy who served as the first dean of the College of Business from 1984 – 1989. As an accounting professor and leader of the business program, Handy encouraged countless students, like Kalm, to become their best, both personally and professionally, in the classroom and beyond.

Founded upon this high level of academic excellence, the internal case competition offers an extraordinary learning experience for Iowa State MBA students.

We wish to express our appreciation to the ICC founders: Bill Kalm, Sam DeMarie, Brad Shrader, Ron Ackerman, Mark Peterson, and Debbie Johnson. Thanks to their dedication to this event, we are fortunate to be celebrating its 21st anniversary.
- Learn more about case competitions at Ivy

Ivy MBA leaders

Our 19th year of the Ivy MBA Internal Case Competition at the Iowa State University – Ivy College of Business. “They are a talented cohort and were very thoughtful in their approach to this year’s case.”

Watch out world. These leaders are heading your way.

#Ivymba
MBA21 Cohort

Our 18th year of the Ivy MBA Internal Case Competition in the Iowa State University – Ivy College of Business. “I am still amazed by this accomplishment and how much support the MBA program has received from our leadership and from the generosity of Bill and Raedene Kalm. Our students tackled a big, sticky case on cryptocurrency this year, and they were impressive.”

#hardwork
17th annual MBA ICC

What an incredible Ivy MBA Internal Case Competition, we are so proud of the MBA Class of 2022. Special thanks to our judges, faculty, Ivy leadership, and Bill Kalm. “This cohort is full of bright, thoughtful, and driven humans. Look out, hiring managers and communities, you have an incredible group of leaders coming your way.”

#Ivymba