Experiential Learning
Sustainability-Driven Case Competitions
NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business is eager to organize hands-on student challenges as well as support students participating in outside case competitions related to sustainable business
Applying Classroom Lessons to Real-World Challenges
At CSB, we encourage students to build on what they learn in the classroom to develop innovative business solutions that address our most difficult global challenges. To do so, MBA students have the opportunity to participate in case competitions both at NYU and beyond. Recent accomplishments by NYU student teams include:In 2020, a group of NYU Stern and Wagner graduate students took first place in the 2020 Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge. The team proposed an innovative new exchange-traded fund centered around companies with substantial hiring, skills development, and supply chain policies in favor of refugees.
In 2019, a group of Stern MBA students took third place in the Aspen Institute Business and Society International Case Competition. This marks the third year in a row that Stern made it the finals, having won first place in the competition in 2018 and placing third in 2017. Stern also previously won the competition in 2013. The 2019 team developed a proposal for the Connecticut Green Bank and its affiliated non-profit that would allow both organizations to become financially sustainable while achieving their missions of providing clean energy and energy efficiency programs to Connecticut citizens.
Upcoming Case Competition Opportunities
Launching Investment for Future Transformation (LIFT)
Using blended finance and impact investing to address the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), if done correctly and inclusively, can drive social equity, social justice and economic mobility for underserved communities everywhere.
The Center for Sustainable Enterprise’s LIFT with Bank of America calls on students from around the world to develop blended finance and impact investing strategies for triple bottom line sustainability.
Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge
Every year more than 308 students from over 34 countries and 74 schools propose novel financial instruments to create positive impact. In 2020, A group of NYU Stern and Wagner graduate students took first place, having proposed an innovative new exchange-traded fund centered around companies with substantial hiring, skills development, and supply chain policies in favor of refugees.
Past Case Competition Opportunities
Duke Fuqua Energy in Emerging Markets Case Competition (Fall 2022)
The 2022 contest is part of the Energy Week at Duke is organized by the MBA Energy Club at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and is sponsored by the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project at Duke. In addition to a chance to win almost $15,000 in prize money, participants will gain practical experience developing business model for this year’s industry partner, Nithio an AI-driven platform for clean energy investment.
Neuberger Berman ESG Investing Challenge (Fall 2021)
Students will work with mentors to identify publicly listed equity investments whose business objectives are aligned with the ESG theme, and are expected to generate positive financial performance (as a dual objective). After an initial round of eliminations, finalists will present virtually to a panel of Neuberger Berman judges who will select the winning team(s), which will receive a financial prize from Neuberger Berman.
Annual Patagonia Case Competition
In this annual competition, graduate students from across the US tackle the interconnected business and sustainability aspects of a current, real-life issue facing the outdoor gear retailer Patagonia. In 2018, a team of Stern and NYU Wagner students received honorable mention for social empowerment out of a total of 10 finalist teams.
NYU Stern Sustainable Business Challenge
In the 2021 Challenge sponsored by Eddie Stern, students addressed how to leverage the private sector to produce accessible, affordable, and healthy food in NYC. The NYU Stern Sustainable Business Challenge harnesses the innovative thinking of mission-driven students to leverage the power of market-based solutions to build a better world. Open to Stern MBA students in collaboration with other NYU graduate students, the Challenge focuses on developing actionable business plans.
NYU Stern Opportunity Zone Challenge (Fall 2019)
Inspired by a new and highly anticipated economic development program called Opportunity Zones, the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business challenged Stern MBA and other NYU graduate students to propose innovative and practical ways to drive sustainable development that qualify under the new regulations. There was a grand cash prize of $10,000.
Neuberger Berman ESG Investing Challenge (Fall 2020)
Students from NYU Stern, Columbia Business School, and Kellogg Northwestern worked with mentors to identify publicly listed equity investments whose business objectives are addressing COVID-19 related challenges and are expected to generate positive financial performance (as a dual objective).
Aspen Institute Business and Society International Case Competition
The NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business supports students in the Aspen Business & Society Case Competition. In 2019, Stern MBA students took third place. This marked the third year in a row that Stern made it the finals, having won first place in the competition in 2018 and placing third in 2017. Stern also previously won the competition in 2013.
A4S International Case Competition
Rotman Net Impact and The Prince's Accounting for Sustainability Project (A4S) case topic for the A4S International Case Competition (A4SICC) 2021 was supply chain resilience. Their vision is to generate ideas that will solve sustainability challenges and create the businesses of the future.