Case Competitions

Students pose for a photo at Canvas Stadium.

Two students pose with a giant check after winning a Deloitte case competition in 2022.

Four students pose for a photo at Otterbox headquarters.

Apply Knowledge. Build Strategy. Compete With Purpose.

Case competitions offer College of Business students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in real-world scenarios. Working in teams, you’ll develop creative, evidence-based solutions to business challenges while strengthening your skills in research, collaboration, analysis, and presentation. These experiences are resume-ready and often life-changing.

From women in business and accounting to real estate and  supply chain management, the College offers a variety of case competitions catered to your interests and academic focus. While many case competitions offer prizes to top-performing teams, all students that participate in a case competition gain valuable experience, developing their resumes and professional networks in preparation for successful careers after college.

Explore Our Case Competitions

How Do Case Competitions Work?

Case competitions bring student teams together to analyze real-world business scenarios and propose solutions for feedback from a panel of experts.

You can form a team with peers or sign up individually. Once you register, you'll receive the prompt for the competition, which includes a business scenario (the "case") and details on what your proposal should include. Prompts vary based on the theme or business focus of the case competition, but here's a general example:

"A mid-sized retail company specializing in eco-friendly home goods has experienced stagnant growth over the past three years. Management is considering expanding into international markets or developing a direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce platform. Develop a comprehensive strategy recommending one or both of these options, including a go-to-market plan, financial projections, and potential risks."

All teams develop proposals for the same prompt. Workshops and coaching are often available to prepare students, especially for first-time participants. On the day of the case competition, each team presents its proposal to a panel of judges, which typically includes a mix of faculty and industry professionals. All teams receive feedback, and the judges select the top-performing teams.

CORE Business Challenge

Your First-Year Strategy Experience

The CORE Business Challenge is the College of Business’s signature competition designed exclusively for first-year students.

CORE Challenge programming trains new students in the fundamentals of case competition preparation and presentation, equipping them for success in future competitions.

This foundational experience helps new students build confidence and connections while engaging in real-world business experiences in a supportive environment.

Explore Our Case Competitions

Case competitions aren't just an opportunity. They're an important rite of passage for refining your skills, showcasing your abilities and developing your professional network. The chance to earn prizes is an exciting incentive, but the connections you'll make when you participate are invaluable in opening career opportunities post-graduation.

The College of Business collaborates with community partners and professionals to host case competitions for a variety of business concentrations. Gain meaningful experience that supports your professional goals and leave a lasting impression with leaders in your industry.

Business for a Better World Dissertation Proposal Competition

Competition for doctoral students proposing impactful research aligned with sustainability and equity in business.

Available in: Fall

Eligible Students:Graduate Students

CORE Business Challenge

Entry-level strategy competition that introduces strategic thinking, case methodology, and team collaboration using the ROCK’IT Framework:
Research → Operations → Collaboration → Key Insights → Innovation → Testing

Available in: Fall

Eligible Students:Undergraduate Students

Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program Case Competition

Daniels Fund competition in which students apply ethical frameworks to contemporary dilemmas in business practice.

Available in: Spring

Eligible Students:Open to All

Discovery Case Challenge

Deloitte-sponsored competition that focuses on leadership, gender equity, and inclusive business innovation.

Available in: Fall

Eligible Students:Undergraduate Students

Everitt Real Estate Center Case Competitions

Multiple events for real estate students throughout the academic year, including internal and national team-based competitions involving real property valuation and strategy.

Available in: Fall & Spring

Eligible Students:Open to All

ICSC Foundation Retail Real Estate Case Competition

Real estate students analyze market trends and propose retail site solutions in a national competition hosted by the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Available in: Fall

Eligible Students:National Team Competition

Rams Operation Stimulus Supply Chain Case Competition

A logistics and operations-focused competition hosted in collaboration with the Denver Transportation Club, featuring real-world supply chain issues.

Available in: Spring

Eligible Students:Open to All

Sherman Miller Case Competition

A real-world challenge addressing contemporary leadership and organizational issues.

Available in: Spring

Eligible Students:Open to All

Upcoming Competitions

4/13/2026, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Venture Rams Business Showcase 2026

Pitch your start-up idea for a shot at the cash prizes! Winners will receive cash prizes totaling m...

Case Competition Experiences

A group of College of Business students pose with a giant check after winning the 2024 Women In Business Case Competition.

WIBA Fosters Friendships, Competition Success

The Women In Business Association offers opportunities to network and expand their skillsets, like competing in the Women In Business Case Competition.

A group of students from the Everitt Real Estate Center pose for a picture in Las Vegas.

Everitt Real Estate Center Students Take Vegas

A group of BizRams joined teams from 16 colleges across the country in Las Vegas to compete in a national real estate case competition.

College of Business students pose for a picture after winning the 2025 Rocky Mountain HR Case Competition.

Rams Win Regional HR Case Competition

CSU defeated teams from the University of Denver and Northern Colorado in the College's fifth annual Rocky Mountain HR Case Competition.