Robert Francis
rfrancis@bizpress.net
Texas Christian University came in second in the Big 12.
Not football, baseball or basketball, but the Big 12 MBA Case Competition, hosted for the first time by TCU.
The competition centered on Apple Pay and the future of mobile payment methods. The 10 MBA teams received the case Friday, March 27, each took part in a private Q&A with Deloitte representatives, and then each team made their presentation to judges Saturday, March 28. The competition was sponsored by Deloitte.
For the first time since the MBA case competition began nine years ago, all 10 schools from the Big 12 sent MBA teams to compete in the annual competition. Charleston-based West Virginia University won first place and $5,000 in the competition sponsored by Deloitte. TCU took second place honors and $3,000 and Iowa State University won third place and $1,000.
“We are living in unprecedented times with accelerating rates of change. New technologies, new business models and entirely new ways of thinking are turning industry after industry on its head. These MBA students are tomorrow’s captains of industry, and innovation will be one of the key tools in their arsenal,” said John Levis, Deloitte’s global chief innovation officer.
Participating in the 2015 competition were MBA teams from Baylor University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, TCU, Texas Tech University, University of Kansas, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Austin and West Virginia University.
“The Big 12 MBA Case Competition brings together the best and brightest from 10 great universities in a test of skill, determination and professional bearing,” Bill Wempe, executive director of the TCU MBA program, said. “Competitions like this one are a crucial element of any experiential learning program that prepares students to be outstanding business leaders.”
Values and Ventures
With the Big 12 competition in the rear view mirror, TCU will host the 5th annual Richards Barrentine Values and Ventures Business Plan Competition, beginning April 10.
Students from a record 49 universities are coming to TCU to compete for more than $70,000 in total cash prizes. More than 50 business and civic leaders will serve as judges and mentors. Area schools competing include: TCU, Tarleton State University, University of Texas at Dallas, Southern Methodist University, University of Houston, University of Houston-Victoria and University of North Texas.
TCU’s Richards Barrentine Values and Ventures Business Plan Competition, founded by the Neeley Entrepreneurship Center and real estate entrepreneurs Nancy Tartaglino Richards and Lisa Barrentine, invites entrepreneurial-minded college students to compete for the best plan that incorporates values, ethics and/or service into a for-profit business. The competition began in 2011 with six schools competing.
Winners will be announced during an awards reception beginning at 4:00 p.m. on April 11 and via live feed at www.neeley.tcu.edu/livestream.