Discovery Case Challenge, sponsored by Deloitte

Take part in the 5th annual Discovery Case Challenge at the College of Business, sponsored by Deloitte

đź“… November 14, 2025

đź“Ś Wednesday, Sept. 24: Applications open

đź“Ś Sunday, Oct. 12: Applications due

đź“ť Note: Open to all CSU College of Business majors and minors at the undergraduate level. Participants will be assigned to teams by selection committee.

1st place team from 2024 – pictured from left to right: Adeline Nolan, Molly Peek, Andrew Guillette, and Ifeoma Ugeh

To better prepare our students to use business for a better world and affect positive change, the CSU College of Business is excited to announce the 5th annual Discovery Case Challenge, made possible by a sponsorship from Deloitte.

The 2025 Discovery Case Challenge is designed as an accessible entry point for undergraduate Business majors and minors at all levels to develop essential case analysis skills in a team environment. Teams will tackle a real-world business scenario while building critical thinking, collaboration, and presentation competencies. This competition provides a welcoming space for students to gain confidence in case methodology, strengthen team skills, and discover their potential as future business leaders. Whether you’re new to case competitions or looking to refine your analytical approach, the Discovery Case Challenge offers valuable experience and skill development for your undergraduate business career.

Open to all CSU College of Business majors and minors at the undergraduate level. First and second year students, as well as Business minors, are strongly encouraged to apply.

The first-place team will be awarded $5,000 and the second-place team will receive $3,000.

What is a case competition?

A case competition is a hands-on opportunity to develop and apply your business and professional skills by proposing innovative solutions to real-world business challenges. Students work in teams to analyze a complex business scenario, propose ideas and solutions to that particular challenge, and present to a panel of judges made up of distinguished industry professionals.

By participating in the case competition you can:

  • Broaden your knowledge and awareness of global collaboration and expectations in business
  • Acquire relevant experience that can make your application stand out when applying for internships and jobs
  • Gain experience working on a dynamic and diverse team of peers
  • Strengthen your analytical and presentation skills by applying them to a real business challenge
  • Engage in networking opportunities with industry and corporate partners
  • Make an impactful contribution to today’s business challenges by exploring innovative solutions

How to Enter

Applications for the Discovery Case Challenge, sponsored by Deloitte open on Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025

Applications require the following written components:

  • A brief statement of interest (minimum 50 words)
  • A 500-800 word response to the essay prompt indicated below
Applications Closed

Timeline

  • Wednesday, Sept. 24: Applications open
  • Sunday, Oct. 12: Applications due
  • Thursday, Oct. 16: Participants are selected and notified via email
  • Monday, Oct. 20: Selected students confirm participation
  • Thursday, Oct. 30: Participating teams are emailed case scenario
  • Thursday, Nov. 13: Teams submit case presentations
  • Friday, Nov. 14: Teams present to case judging panel and winners are announced

Additional Information

Applications require the following written components:

  • A brief statement of interest (minimum 50 words) – included in the application
  • A 500-800 word response to the essay prompt below – uploaded file with application

Leading Beyond Profit: The Unique Management Challenges of Non-Profit Organizations

Non-profit organizations operate under fundamentally different constraints and success metrics than for-profit companies, requiring leaders to master a distinct set of operational and strategic skills. From managing diverse stakeholder expectations to balancing mission impact with financial sustainability, non-profit leadership presents unique challenges and opportunities.

Drawing from your business coursework and any observations of or involvement with non-profit organizations (through volunteering, community engagement, or research, analyze the following:

  • What operational or strategic challenges do non-profit leaders face that are distinctly different from those in for-profit organizations? How do concepts from your business studies (such as financial management, marketing, operations, or strategic management) apply differently in the non-profit context?
  • How do these differences shape the leadership skills and approaches needed for success in the non-profit sector? Which business principles remain universal, and which require significant adaptation?

Your response should demonstrate understanding of core business concepts while recognizing how organizational context shapes their application. Consider drawing specific examples from your business coursework to illustrate how business principles must be adapted for mission-driven organizations.

Academic Integrity Statement: By submitting this essay, you affirm that this work represents your original thinking, analysis, and writing. The use of artificial intelligence tools to generate, edit, or substantially assist in the creation of your response is prohibited. We value authentic perspectives and personal insights that reflect your individual academic journey and critical thinking abilities.

Applications must be submitted on an individual basis and there is no guarantee that students will be selected to move forward to team participation, however everyone is encouraged to apply. If selected to move forward to the team competition, participants will be assigned to teams by the selection committee. For questions, reach out to Andrea Karapas at andrea.karapas@colostate.edu or (970)491.1380.

The selection committee will only review completed applications. If selected to move forward in the competition, students will be assigned to diverse teams by the selection committee. Participants will be selected and notified via email on or before Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Selected students will have until Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 to confirm their participation in the competition. Once participation is confirmed, teams will be coordinated by the selection committee.

There will be a maximum of six teams (each team will consist of 3-5 students) selected to compete in the competition, which will take place on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Individuals not selected to move forward in the competition will be notified by Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, allowing for alternates to be chosen if an individual selected declines to move forward in the competition.

Participating teams will be emailed the selected case scenario along with a detailed presentation rubric on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 by 12:00 p.m. (noon) and will have two full weeks to work with their teams to analyze the case and create a presentation. Team presentations must include a PowerPoint presentation. Teams will submit presentations to the selection committee by Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). Team presentations will be no more than twenty minutes long followed by ten minutes of Q&A from the judges.

A monetary prize will be awarded to the top two winning teams. The first-place winning team will receive $5,000, which will be divided equally among the team members. The second-place winning team will receive $3,000, which will be divided equally among the team members. The first and second place winning teams will be announced at the conclusion of the presentations on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, and will be shared publicly on or after the day of the event.