UF MBA earns fourth consecutive Intercollegiate Cup title

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – UF MBA at the Hough Graduate School of Business claimed its fourth consecutive victory in the 2015 Florida Intercollegiate Business Case Competition last weekend at the University of South Florida.

In addition to its four consecutive victories, UF MBA has won this competition six times in nine appearances.

UF MBA, represented by Xiaoyu “Henry” Liu, Matthew Lukas, Elizabeth Merrick and David Price, outlasted a field of Florida’s top MBA programs—Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida State University, the University of Miami, Rollins College and the University of South Florida.

UF MBA’s team received $10,000 for winning the competition.

“We were up against some of the brightest MBAs across the state, but our team was more than prepared for the challenge,” Merrick said. “We really worked well together, took a few risks and couldn’t be happier with the results.”

Teams were tasked with creating new ways of delivering credit and other financial services to SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) more efficiently and effectively. The case involved a startup company about to debut, and the challenges it would face.

“Not only were the other teams very good,” said Lukas, “but with the company being a startup firm with no historical data, we were required to very quickly become well-informed about issues facing small businesses in the post-recession business environment.”

UF MBA’s victory continues the program’s impressive results in case competitions. UF MBA won all three case competitions it entered in Spring 2014, and has won six case competitions since 2013.

UF MBA will next compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) MBA Case Competition on April 9-11 at the University of South Carolina. UF MBA is the two-time defending champion in this competition.