Wellesley Business Case Competition
The first Wellesley Business Case Competition is being launched in conjunction with the inaugural Wellesley in Business Symposium.In this interdisciplinary case competition, participants will gain hand-ons experience in marketing, branding, communications, and international hospitality management. All majors are encouraged to participate and no prior business experience is required! Participants will work in teams to analyze a business case and develop recommendations for company leadership. The case competition is a great opportunity to practice your analytical and presentation skills, as well as network with alums with extensive business leadership experience.
The BEAM Initiative will partner with an organization each year to adapt or construct a unique case for Wellesley students. This year, we are pleased to announce that Priya Paul '88, Chairperson of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, and her team have been working with Career Education to provide an update since the 2014 Harvard Business School Case The Park Hotels: Revitalizing an Iconic Indian Brand.
Students will review both her original case and the updated scenario presented to them directly from the Park Hotels leadership. They will have from Tuesday - Friday to work in their team to analyze and present a strategy for how the Park Hotels management can leverage the travel and hospitality preferences of Gen Z in their next phase of ambitious growth targets.
Students will present in the first round on Friday, November 14. The three top teams will then move forward and present LIVE at the Wellesley in Business Symposium! All members of the audience will then cast their vote for the top team who will take home a monetary prize thanks to the generosity of the BLC.
Eligibility & Application
Space is limited. Please complete THIS sign up form by Friday, October 17, 2025. Participating teams will be announced on Friday, October 24, 2025.
Teams will consist of four members. Sign up individually or as a team. Additional members may be added to teams. Individuals will be placed into teams.
Eligibility: Open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students must commit to all case competition key dates (listed below) to participate.
Case Competition Key Dates & Training Modules
Sunday, October 26, 9:00-3:30pm
First training module: Business Basics workshop
- Business Basics workshop led by Mike McQuillan, Tuck MBA grad and founder of BEcamp. Session will include experiential workshops on Core Business Concepts, Product, Marketing, Finance, and Business Strategy.
Monday, October 27 – Sunday November 2
Second training module: Harvard Business School Case Analysis Coach (self-paced)
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The HBS Case Analysis Coach, a self-paced online module, was developed for students to enhance their learning with cases. It is a concise, comprehensive introduction to concepts and processes required for analyzing/interpreting business case studies. The "Coach" introduces students to the case method of learning including: main steps, sorts of information, and output recommendations. It also demonstrates how to apply an analysis framework to an in-depth case example demonstrating necessary connections formed during analysis.
Wednesday, November 5, 6:30-8:30pm
Third training module: Mock MBA class with Richard Wang, Associate Professor at Babson FW Olin Graduate School of Business
- Richard Wang is an Associate Professor at Babson College where he teaches business strategy courses at the undergraduate and MBA levels. He will lead a case discussion in which case competition teams can practice their case analysis skills and gain insights into the MBA academic experience.
Tuesday, November 11, 5:00-6:00pm
Case Competition Kickoff (virtual)
Friday, November 14, 1:00-3:30pm
Preliminary Round Presentation
Saturday, November 15
Wellesley in Business Symposium
Finalist Round (Top 3 teams)
IMPORTANT: To be eligible for Experiential Learning Units and Symposium attendance, students must attend all Case Competition sessions.
Benefits of Participating
- Earn 1 experiential learning unit
- Prizes awarded to the top 3 teams:
- $3,000 First Place
- $1,500 Second Place
- $500 Third Place
- Connect with an alumnae mentor from the Wellesley Business Leadership Council, a group of alums with extensive leadership experience across the business world
- Receive guaranteed registration at the Wellesley in Business Symposium
- Build core business skills and complete a project that can be shared with employers on your resume and in future interviews
- Gain business case analysis skills and participate in mock MBA case discussion, led by Babson College business school professor