CORE Business Challenge

Compete for a share of $20,000 in prize money

April 16, 2025

01:00 PM - 04:00 PM MST

Building high-performing organizations requires strategic leadership, innovation and a deep understanding of workplace dynamics. The CORE Business Challenge allows students to develop data-driven solutions to real-world organizational challenges. Participants will work in teams to analyze a business case, craft strategic recommendations, and present solutions to a panel of industry judges to win a share of $20,000 in cash prizes.

The CORE framework serves as the foundation for the competition:

Culture – Foster environments that encourage collaboration and innovation.
Opportunity – Ensure fair access for all students to compete, apply knowledge, and challenge themselves at the highest level.
Responsibility – Make informed decisions with integrity and accountability.
Excellence – Strive for the highest standards in leadership, problem-solving, and communication.

Why participate?

Could you find a use for the first-place team’s cash prize of $10,000?
Are you interested in applying business strategy and leadership principles in a competitive environment?
Do you want to gain experience in problem-solving, organizational strategy, and executive-level communication?
Would you like to improve your ability to present and defend strategic recommendations?

If your answer to these questions is yes, it’s time to register for the CORE Business Challenge.

Apply Now

What can you win?

The first, second, and third-place winning teams will be announced after the April 16 presentations. Prizes will be divided equally among team members:

First place: $10,000
Second place: $6,000
Third place: $4,000

Who can enter?

All currently enrolled undergraduate business majors and minors can apply to compete. Students can recruit their teams or register as individuals to be considered on an existing team.

Teams will be selected based on strong critical thinking skills, leadership potential and innovative decision-making. Applicants should highlight their ability to contribute to a high-performing team and drive strategic business solutions.

How to enter

Each team member must register online by submitting an application on or before noon on March 3. Only teams that completed the application/registration process will be considered for selection.

Between six and ten four-member teams will be chosen to compete in the CORE Business Challenge. Applying as a complete four-member team is encouraged, as priority will be given to complete teams. Teams will be chosen at the sole discretion of the College of Business CORE Advisory Board. Individual applicants may be placed on a reserve list if a team cannot be found for them.

2025 schedule

Applications close: Monday, March 3
Teams notified: Thursday, March 6
Deadline for teams to accept: Friday, March 7
Case Sent: Monday, March 10
Presentation: Wednesday, April 16

Apply Now

2025 CORE Case Competition details

Team selection

The College of Business will notify selected teams via email by March 6.
Teams must confirm participation by March 7.
The case will be sent to competitors on March 10.
The final competition will take place on April 16.

Student participants who are immediate family members of College of Business employees or share a household with an employee are eligible to participate but ineligible for monetary awards. The competition complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws. Participants under 18 must obtain permission from a parent or legal guardian. If one team member withdraws, any ideas they contributed remain with the team.

The CORE Advisory Board will then assess the team's continued participation on a case-by-case basis. If more than one team member withdraws and cannot be replaced by March 31, the team will be eliminated from the competition. No team member substitutions are allowed after March 31.

Judging/committee

The College of Business CORE Advisory Board comprises faculty and staff and is chaired by the College's Assistant Dean. The board will oversee the program until the final presentation on April 16. Judges will take on supervision from there. A panel of judges comprised of sponsors and industry professionals will select winning teams using predetermined competition evaluation criteria. Judges will choose the first-, second-, and third-place winners based on the evaluation criteria. Judges reserve the right not to award prizes should they deem that submissions do not meet the competition criteria. The decisions of the judges are final and binding.

Judges will evaluate presentations based on the following:

Strategic decision-making
Collaboration and teamwork
Effective communication
Practical application of business principles.

Notification/announcement

Winning teams will be announced after the competition on April 16, 2025. If a winning team member is under 18, their prize will be awarded to their parent or legal guardian. The prize may be forfeited if a team declines an award or fails to meet requirements. By accepting an award, winners grant the College of Business and its sponsors the right to use their name, likeness, university affiliation, and presentation for promotional purposes in any media format, except were prohibited by law.

Registration form and presentation

By applying, each team and member agrees that sponsors may use their presentations in any media format for educational and promotional purposes.

General conditions

By applying, teams and members release the College of Business, Colorado State University, and sponsors from any claims arising from participation or award acceptance. If the competition is disrupted due to external factors, the College reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the event.

Thanks to our sponsors

Your generous support makes events like this possible and helps the College of Business pursue its vision of Business for a Better World.