Case-Competitors-with-logo

Celebrating our 20th anniversary

We are excited to host our 20th year of the Ivy MBA Internal Case Competition this fall.

Event date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Location: Gerdin Business Building

Can’t join us? Please share your memories.

What is the MBA Internal Case Competition?

LogoFull-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 20th year of the Ivy MBA Internal Case Competition this fall.
Event date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Location: Gerdin Business Building

Read about last year’s competition

  • 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 Anderson, and Debbie Johnson. Thanks to their dedication to this event, we are fortunate to be celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Bill Kalm

Your knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm will most certainly create an extremely exciting competition and will serve you well regardless of your placement in this event.

Bill Kalm (’73, industrial administration; ’77, interdisciplinary industrial administration sciences)

2024 Competition Schedule

Thursday, Dec 5

TimeActivityLocationParticipants
8:30 a.m.Welcome
Review competition schedule
Activity for Team Room assignments
Distribute case
0420 GerdinMBA students and faculty

Friday, Dec 6

TimeActivityLocationParticipants
8:00 -11:00 a.m.Divisional RoundsGerdin (location varies)Student teams only
10:45 a.m.Alumni Check-in1450 GerdinAlumni
11:00 a.m.Alumni TourMeet in Gerdin Lobby by 1200 GerdinAlumni
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.Lunch
Program begins at 12:15 p.m.
Kingland Hallway
Kingland Hub, 1450 Gerdin
MBA students, faculty, alumni, and judges
12:45 p.m.Finalists AnnouncedKingland Hub, 1450 Gerdin
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.Team 1 Presentation1148 GerdinOpen to public ↓
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.Team 2 Presentation1148 Gerdin
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.Team 3 Presentation1148 Gerdin
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.Alumni Team Exhibition Presentation1148 Gerdin
5:00 – 5:30 p.m.Final Round Judges Deliberation0128 Gerdin
5:15 – 6:00 p.m.Case Competition ReceptionKingland HallwayMBA students, faculty, alumni, and judges
Scott-Groh

The ICC experience was one of my favorite experiences at Iowa State. The case competitions really helped to improve my ability to think strategically and apply financial analysis to real world situations.

Scott Groh (’10 MBA)

FAQ

I cannot attend the event, but I’d like to share a memory or photo. How can I do that?

Great! We’d love to hear from you. Please share your memories here.

I’d like to learn more about the event or have another question. Who should I contact?

Reach out to our ICC event coordinator, Elizabeth Riniker.

 

Memories in the making

  • Case competition awards

    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
  • 18th-annual case competition

    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-internal case competition

    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
team building exercise

Pet therapy dogs

2018 Case Competitors

Guys with medals

Case Competition organizers

alumni team

Competition team

team building

The Ivy MBA

Discover the many ways you can earn your MBA at the Ivy College of Business.

Connect with us

Graduate Student Services

Ivy College of Business
1420 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, Iowa 50011
busgrad@iastate.edu
515-294-8118

Questions?

Email Elizabeth  busgrad@iastate.edu or call 515-294-8118.