CHALLENGE SPECIFICS
- The winning team will receive the “Kierulff Cup” trophy, a $5,000 cash prize and team members will receive commemorations signifying their success. The second place team will receive individual commemorations and a $3,000 cash prize; the third place team will receive individual commemorations and a $2,000 cash prize. The teams’ achievements will appear in the Challenge’s web site and other sites including BVR publications and the ASA .
- Each school may select up to two teams to participate in the Challenge; regional extensions of larger universities are considered separate entities and may enter separately. A team consists of three to five students who aremasters/MBA students and/or college juniors and/or seniors at the participating university or who have graduated within six months of the date of the Challenge. The team might be selected from a class in valuation, advanced finance, or advanced accounting; or it may be formed independently. Preparing for the Challenge is significantly more involved and time consuming than the typical finance competition. Professors have found it helpful to include the additional learning requirements as part of their classes or at least give directed research credits to participants. Please visit Resources on this site.
- The competition is limited to the first 24 schools applying for 2024; regional extensions of larger universities are considered separate and may enter separately. Due to confidentiality concerns, the valuation report can only be issued to a limited number of schools. Those wishing to participate should email David Beard ([email protected]) on or before October 4, 2024 to indicate a firm intent to register and formally register (supply the names and contact information of students and faculty). Early formal registration is strongly encouraged because preparation for the Challenge is time consuming for those new to private and small public company valuation. Schools responding after the limit is reached will be put on stand-by. All schools receiving database access and the case accept the obligation to participate fully in the Challenge up to and including the final round if chosen to come to Atlanta. In addition, each person connected to the Challenge promises to use the BVR materials for this competition only. BVR materials are not to be used by anyone else or for any other purposes such as consulting. Also, the valuation case must be considered confidential, not to be shared or discussed with anyone outside the associated faculty and Challenge team or class(es) in which it is used for instruction. Each school must have at least one faculty member acting as an instructor/consultant to the team and as a contact person.
- On or before November 1st 2024, each of the participating teams should make a video presentation of their valuation available for judges on line and email the URL to Dr. Beard. The video must be no more than 25 minutes, and must download and play properly to qualify for judging. Each video will be evaluated by a team of senior level valuation professionals who will choose the five best presentations. We will provide a judges’ evaluation guideline, a suggested guide to the presentation, and videos of prior teams’ presentations.
- The five best presentations will be announced on or before November 5th. The teams may change their presentation materials based upon the professionals’ feedback.
- The five teams and their professors or professors’ representatives invited to Atlanta will participate in the in-person Challenge at the Buckhead facilities of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. A team from GSU and SPU will also participate. There will be a welcome dinner and keynote speaker at the Buckhead Club on November 15th. On November 16th, each team will make a presentation of up to 25 minutes followed by up to 15 minutes of Q&A from a panel of judges. During the day, other learning opportunities may be provided for those not in the process of presenting. In the evening of November 16th there will be a dinner and speaker at which time the winners of the Challenge will be announced. Pictures of the events and pictures with the judges will be provided after the Challenge.
- Special hotel rates in Buckhead will be available. Teams and their faculty members will be responsible for transportation, lodging, and some meals. The Challenge sponsors will cover the costs for the Buckhead Club dinner on the 15th and dinner on the 16th.Contact the Program Director, Dr. David Beard at [email protected] to reserve a place.