Miami Herbert Annual Case Competition

put your business skills to the test WHILE HELPING A LOCAL NON-PROFIT SOLVE ONE OR MORE BUSINESS CHALLENGES

Join the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School Annual Case Competition to make a positive impact in the community. During the competition, students work alongside peers to propose innovative solutions to one or more challenges of a local non-profit business while sharpening critical skills like problem solving, communication, and presentation—abilities that are essential for both personal and professional growth. The competition provides a forum for students to close the gap between theory and practice, gaining invaluable hands-on experience by tackling real-world business challenges.

Application Dates

  • December 16, 2024 – Team Registration Forms Due
  • January 10, 2025 – Participating Teams confirmed

Semifinal Stage

  • January 17, 2025 - Case 1 released to Participating Teams
  • January 23, 2025 - Case 1 response due electronically

Final Stage

  • March 1, 2025 - Final Competition in the University of Miami Coral Gables Campus

ready to join?

 

SIGN UP YOUR TEAM by December 16, 2024. Team confirmations will be sent on week of January 10, 2025.

Questions? You may contact: Danay Morales, Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Student Engagement and Outreach.

  • Teams will consist of three to four undergraduate students from the same Business School, at a University in the State of Florida.
  • All undergraduate students seeking a business degree at a Business School, at a University in the State of Florida are eligible to form teams.
  • Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing
  • Interdisciplinary teams encouraged (i.e., teams made up of students from different business disciplines ).
  • No team member can compete in multiple teams.
  • Must agree to abide by all competition rules and regulations, including the use of proprietary case materials and data.

Team Registration Forms, due by December 16th, 2024.

 

Students will be judged on:

  1. Understanding of challenge, and research of non-profit context
  2. Alignment of proposal with mission of non-profit business
  3. Feasibility and implementation of proposal
  4. Impact and sustainability of proposal
  5. Presentation and communication skills

All prizes are divided equally among team members. All winners will be responsible for completing a W-9 Form and submitted to the site organizer before prize money is issued.

First Place: $3,500
Second Place: $2,400
Third Place: $1,200

Judge Panels will be composed of industry experts, community leaders, university faculty and corporate partners.

 

Team Application

All Participating Team applications must be completed with all required documentation by December 16, 2024. We encourage all teams to review the form with ample time to ensure that backup documents and letters are requested with ample time.

Team confirmations will be emailed to the team captain email by February 10th, 2025.

Faculty advisors or coaches are not permitted.

Apply Now!

Semifinal Stage

Participating Teams will receive CASE 1 with instructions on January 17, 2025 by 3pm via the Team Captain email provided. CASE 1 submission will include a 10 minute video presentation and PPT deck due back, per the instructions provided, on February 23, 2025 by 11:59pm.

Panel of Judges will review submissions the following week and will likely reach out to the Team Captains via email for additional information and follow-up questions.

Final Participating teams will be announced on February 10, 2025 by 11:59pm. Team Captains will receive notice via email and participating teams will be posted on the case competition website.

Judging Rubric for Semi Final Stage – CASE 1:

  1. Understanding of challenge, and research of non-profit context (20 pts)
    1. Team demonstrated a deep understanding of the non-profit business’s mission, challenge(s) and its impact on its direct community and beyond.
  2. Alignment of proposal with mission of non-profit business’s (25 pts)
    1. Alignment with mission and value of non-profit business’s
    2. Creativity and innovation
    3. Ethical considerations
  3. Feasibility and implementation of proposal (25 points)
    1. Actionable plan
    2. Risk management and contingency
    3. Financial and resource considerations
  4. Impact and sustainability of proposal (15 pts)
    1. Long-term impact and scalability
    2. Community and stakeholder engagement
  5. Presentation and communication skills (15 pts)
    1. Professionalism
    2. Clarity of delivery

 Total of 100 pts

Final Stage on the University of Miami Coral Gables Campus

During the Final Stage, Participating Teams will arrive to the Miami Herbert Business School for breakfast and check-in no later than 8:00 am. CASE 2 release and kickoff will begin promptly at 9:00am. At the conclusion of the kickoff, each Participating Team will receive a sealed envelope with the CASE 2 documents and description of deliverables and will be released to their working rooms.

 All Participating Teams will submit all deliverables electronically, per instructions provided, by noon and will reconvene by 1pm in a designated wait room in anticipation of their presentation time slot.

 Judging Rubric for Final Stage – CASE 2:

  1. Understanding of challenge, and research of non-profit context (20 pts)
    1. Team demonstrated a deep understanding of the non-profit business’s mission, challenge(s) and its impact on its direct community and beyond.
  2. Alignment of proposal with mission of non-profit business’s (20 pts)
    1. Alignment with mission and value of non-profit business’s
    2. Creativity and innovation
    3. Ethical considerations
  3. Feasibility and implementation of proposal (25 points)
    1. Actionable plan
    2. Risk management and contingency
    3. Financial and resource considerations
  4. Impact and sustainability of proposal (15 pts)
    1. Long-term impact and scalability
    2. Community and stakeholder engagement
  5. Presentation and communication skills (10 pts)
    1. Professionalism
    2. Clarity of delivery
  6. Responsiveness in Question and Answer (10 pts)
    1. Adaptability and thoughtfulness
    2. Ability to stay focused under pressure

 Total of 100 pts

 Research and Preparation

  • All sources must be cited using APA style 7th.
  • Use of AI is encouraged if it’s utilized as a tool for exploration and innovation. Copy/pasting AI-generated text is considered plagiarism and will disqualify the Participating Team.

Directions to the University of Miami – Coral Gables Campus:

Address:
University of Miami,
1320 S Dixie Hwy,
Coral Gables, FL 33146.

1. From Miami International Airport:
- Take FL-836 W from NW 21st St.
- Use the right lanes to take FL-836 W toward Coral Gables/FL-826.
- Merge onto FL-826 S/Palmetto Expy.
- Take the exit for Miller Dr/SW 56th St.
- Head east on Miller Dr until you reach San Amaro Dr.
- Turn right onto San Amaro Dr to reach the campus.

2. From Downtown Miami:
- Take I-95 S toward US-1.
- Continue on US-1 to Stanford Dr (right turn).
- Follow Stanford Dr into the main entrance of the University of Miami.
- Follow signage to Pavia Parking Garage.

3. From South Miami:
- Take US-1 North.
- Turn left onto Stanford Dr into the main entrance of the University of Miami.
- Follow signage to Pavia Parking Garage.

Parking Instructions for Pavia Parking Garage:

Address:
Pavia Garage,
5615 Pavia St,
Coral Gables, FL 33146.

1. Entrance to the Pavia Parking Garage:

  • Enter through the main gate of the University of Miami at Stanford Dr.
  • Drive straight and take the second right onto Pavia St.
  • The entrance to the **Pavia Parking Garage** will be on your left.


2. Parking Rates:
  • Visitors can park in Pavia Garage using the PayByPhone app or kiosks.
  • The PayByPhone location code for the garage is typically posted on signs.
  • Parking is usually charged hourly, so check current rates via the app or posted signs.
  • Faculty, staff, and students with parking permits must park in designated areas.


3. Accessible Parking:
  • Accessible parking spaces are available on the ground floor of the garage.
  • Ensure that your accessible parking permit is displayed.


4. Additional Notes:
  • Visitors should park on the designated visitor floors.
  • Make sure to follow the signs that guide you to exits and stairwells for easier access to your destination on campus.
For hotel accomodations, please contact Mrs. Dipre

Semi Final Winners

2025 Case competition sponsors

CURRENT GOLD SPONSOR(S):
  • Charles M. Durham, Jr.
CURRENT SILVER SPONSOR(S):
  • William and Lynnette Cooke
  Platinum $15,000  Gold $10,000

 Silver $5,000

Bronze $2,500

Promotion of logo on case competition website  ✔️  ✔️ ✔️  ✔️
Promotion of logo on all case competition printed materials  ✔️ ✔️  ✔️   
Verbal recognition during Final stage competition events  ✔️  ✔️    
Gift of appreciation  ✔️  ✔️    
Opportunity to serve as Judge on Final Stage Competition (Limited to the first 2 sponsors)  ✔️  ✔️    
Opportunity to serve as Judge on Semi Final Stage Competition (Limited to the first 5 sponsors)     ✔️   
Lunch with First Place Team and MHBS School Leadership  ✔️      

For questions and interest in becoming a 2025 sponsor for this rewarding social impact initiative, you may contact, Mr. Orestes Hernandez, Corporate Philanthropy Officer. 

CORPORATE and institutional PARTNERS