Internal, Local, National & Global Challenges
Questrom’s signature case competitions bring students, faculty, alumni, executives, and corporate partners together to tackle timely business challenges in areas such as sustainability, social impact, healthcare, and more. These large-scale BU-wide and New England–wide competitions help students test ideas, sharpen decision-making, and compete for meaningful recognition.
Signature Case Competitions
$50K Sustainability Case Competition
The Questrom $50K Sustainability Case Competition brings student teams together to solve real business challenges at the intersection of strategy, sustainability, and circular innovation. The competition has drawn more than 70 teams dozens of East Coast universities, with finalists from institutions including Boston University, American University, and UMass Boston. Student teams have developed creative solutions for companies such as Rewilder and L.L.Bean, including “ReBean,” a resale platform designed to help L.L.Bean reduce its environmental footprint and attract new customers.
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Gregory Stoller
Master Lecturer, Strategy and Innovation
Susilo Business + Ethics Case Competition
The Susilo Institute Business+Ethics Case Competition is a global competition that challenges undergraduate and graduate students to apply ethical business leadership to complex international issues. Hosted by Questrom’s Susilo Institute for Ethics in the Global Economy, the competition brings together teams from around the world for online rounds and in-person global finals, creating a forum for students and executives to examine the intersection of business, ethics, culture, and social impact. Recent finals have taken place in Sweden and Brazil, with finalist teams representing universities across the globe.
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David Epstein
Lecturer, Information Systems
“It was inspiring to see how these future business leaders engaged with our company values, business model, and ethical foundations. Thank you to all participants for your sharp thinking and meaningful perspectives, and for reminding us that the next generation of leaders understands the power of doing good business, the right way.”
Internal Case Competitions
Lindner Marketing Case Competition
The Lindner Marketing Case Competition is a new Questrom-wide competition open to undergraduate, specialized master’s, and MBA students. Supported by Mark and Debbie Lindner and led by Professor Susan Jung Grant, the competition awards $20,000 in prize money across the top three teams: $10,000, $6,000, and $4,000. Recently, 44 teams applied fresh thinking to a timely challenge: developing a strategic New England rollout for Sprouts.
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Susan Jung Grant
Clinical Associate Professor, Marketing
More Internal Case Competitions
Healthcare Case Competition
Led by Subhadra England, interdisciplinary graduate teams from Questrom, the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, and the College of Engineering join together to solve timely healthcare industry challenges, with recent teams developing market-informed strategies for Philips and presenting to judges and mentors from healthcare, consulting, life sciences, and venture organizations.
Battle of the Boutiques
Led by Daniel Spiess, this fast-paced consulting experience, challenges teams to solve a real business problem and present their recommendations to boutique firm leaders, mentors, and judges.
New Venture Competition, Innovate@BU
The BU Innovate New Venture Competition helps student entrepreneurs move bold ideas toward launch, giving teams the opportunity to pitch early-stage ventures, receive expert feedback, and compete for funding and support.
Entertainment, Media, and Sports Business Club Case Competition
This student led case competition brings students from Questrom and COM together to solve real industry challenges in sports, entertainment, and media, with the inaugural competition challenging teams to help Five Iron Golf address summer membership churn and revenue retention.
External Case Competitions
Questrom students also represent BU beyond campus, competing against teams from other universities and bringing their skills to national and international business challenges. These experiences expand students’ networks, expose them to new industries and markets, and show what Questrom teams can do under pressure.
Kogod Case Competition
Dick’s Sporting Goods Case Competition
Venture Capital Investment Competition
Student POV on Case Competitions
Get a real perspective on case competitions at Questrom from students across all programs. Hear how they build confidence, sharpen their strategy and presentation skills, collaborate under pressure, and turn real business challenges into memorable learning experiences.
The $50K Sustainability Case Competition pushed us to uncover how businesses can implement transformative strategies that drive a greener future and deliver substantial, lasting impact. Sustainability is a cause I deeply resonate with, and this journey has only strengthened my passion to delve further into this critical field.”
Meet Greg Stoller, Director of Case Competitions
For questions, ideas, or case competition pitches, reach out or submit the form to get involved directly.
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Gregory Stoller
Master Lecturer, Strategy and Innovation
Inside the Case Competition Experience
$50K Sustainability Case Competition Highlights
The event focuses on bridging academic theory with real-world application to address environmental challenges.
Susilo Business + Ethics Case Competition
Participants from all over the world team up to solve to tackle tough business and ethics questions.
Healthcare Case Competition
A highlight reel featuring the Healthcare Case Competition in collaboration with Questrom, Engineering & Medical School.
Battle of the Boutiques Case Competition
Student teams engage with a real-world company to provide actionable business advice.
Learn More
Students interested in participating in case competitions or creating a case competition can email Director of Case Competitions, Greg Stoller.
Organizations interested in getting involved and working with students, can reach out through the Center for Action Learning.