From 09 to 15 March , four undergraduate students from Corvinus University of Budapest –  Bence Balázs, Kornél Németh, Nikol Gyenes and Rebeka Nagy –  competed in the Belgrade Business International Case Competition (BBICC) in Belgrade, Serbia, securing divisional 1st places in the first 5-hour case and in the 24-hour long case, and finishing 5th overall out of 20 universities. 

The Corvinus team was selected after excelling in the Cases on International Business Strategy and other Case Track courses and was coached by their advisor, Zsolt Matyusz. The multi-step preparation started in January that involved understanding the competition format, conducting practice sessions, and refining the team’s case-solving approach. “Our preparation focused on building a strong, structured approach while enhancing teamwork. During supervised case cracks, I served as an external observer, carefully monitoring the team’s process and providing insightful recommendations to refine their strategy” – their advisor, Zsolt Matyusz emphasized. The most important aspect was to create team cohesion and an environment where the team members can trust each other. For this, each session was followed by a discussion reflecting on the experience in an open way to ensure everyone is comfortable telling their opinion. 

In the competition, the team tackled three cases from various industries including cybersecurity, public services and pharmaceutical. The first 5-hour case for Oktacron, a Serbian-owned cybersecurity company, required a 15-minute presentation and Q&A on the strategic market positioning of their AI solution. The Corvinus team stood out with their innovative pricing strategy and selection of pilot market. The second 5-hour case for Chamber of Commerce and Industry Serbia, which is a non-budgetary business association representing Serbian businesses, required a 15-minute presentation and Q&A on improving the Serbian startup ecosystem, especially focusing on non-tech founders. The team’s proposal was based on the founder journey, in which they highlighted the key barriers for scaling the startups and recommended effective solutions like bringing together corporations and startups; and a so-called skill passport to bridge the skill gaps. The final 24-hour case was concerning MSD, a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to using cutting-edge science to save and improve lives worldwide. Empowering the mission of the company, the Corvinus team advised a solution which supports the company to make a difference in global health through innovative therapies and a commitment to patients. 

Participating in BBICC was far more than just competing; it was an opportunity for the team members to broaden their horizons, gain invaluable insights from both their advisor and jury members, and tackle some of the most pressing challenges in the CEE region. The competition pushed them to think critically, work seamlessly as a team, and refine their problem-solving approach. As Rebeka put it: “For me, the most important thing was learning to believe in myself and in the team, knowing that we are capable of achieving anything – even winning a prestigious competition – regardless of our opponents.”  Meanwhile, Bence discovered the power of simplicity in high-stakes problem-solving: “I learned that most of the time, less is more in these competitions. It’s far more crucial to have just a few ideas that are expressed clearly and understood deeply than to have many great ideas that are conveyed less effectively.” 

“Solving cases for 4 consecutive days in a row is quite challenging, but thanks to our strong friendship that we developed in the preparation phase, we were always there for each other. Even the jury members were amazed by our good energy and team dynamics.” – Kornél highlighted. “After the Oktacron case, the jury also highlighted that we were the first team who was able to deliver a clear presentation with out-of-the box ideas implemented in a feasible way” – Rebeka added. A core principle guiding their approach was simplicity and accessibility. The team constantly asked: “Would our grandma understand this?” If not, they refined their strategy to enhance clarity and effectiveness. 

For Nikol, the competition meant more than just results “Competition isn’t just about the place we win, it’s about growing together. It’s about pushing ourselves, learning more about who we are, and supporting each other along the way. We get to see each other excel in high-stake situations, which inspires us to continue this journey.” 

Beyond the competition itself, their experience in Serbia was enriched by the country’s warm hospitality. They explored Belgrade’s historical landmarks, including an insightful sightseeing tour of Kalemegdan and the Belgrade Fortress, and enjoyed the vibrant local culture, excellent food, and lively cocktail nights. 

Zsolt Matyusz, the team’s advisor, reflected on their performance: “This was an excellent performance by the team in a competition I deem to be one of the most challenging ones on the circuit. They proved that they have the necessary mental and physical resilience and fortitude to be competitive at the highest level against top universities from around the world. Winning two divisions out of three across 5 days of continuous case solving and presentations really highlights their level of preparedness and their unity as a team. I am immensely proud of them.” 

We extend our congratulations to the team and Zsolt Matyusz for their outstanding achievements. A heartfelt thank you to the Case Track professors, mentors, and alumni for their unwavering support in preparing us for this journey. We are excited to apply these experiences and insights in future competitions as we continue to grow and thrive on the international stage!