First Gen Forward Case Competition: Your First Case Starts Here!
Never participated in a case competition? Perfect! This one is designed for you!
The First Gen Forward Case Competition is a beginner-friendly opportunity for Purdue first-generation college students to tackle a real-world challenge, develop creative solutions, and build valuable professional skills in a supportive environment.
Whether you're studying business, engineering, liberal arts, science, or anything in between, this is your chance to gain hands-on experience, strengthen your teamwork and presentation skills, and connect with fellow first-gen Boilermakers.
No previous case competition experience or business background required!
Compete for a $750 Grand Prize!
The winning team will receive a $750 grand prize, with each of the three team members receiving $250!
How to Participate
- Open to first-generation college students from all Purdue majors.
- Students compete in teams of three.
- Register with your own team or sign up individually, and we'll match you with teammates.
- At least one member from each team must attend the required Case Competition Workshop on November 30.
Eligibility: The First Gen Forward Case Competition is designed to introduce first-generation college students to case competitions and provide opportunities to develop new skills. To ensure these opportunities remain accessible to new competitors, students who were members of a winning team in any previous First Gen Forward Case Competition are not eligible to compete again. Students who previously participated but did not win remain eligible to compete. Previous winners are encouraged to stay involved by serving as volunteers, judges or mentors, subject to organizer approval.
Required Case Competition Workshop
Monday, November 30, 2026, 6:00 PM | Krannert Building, Room 491
This workshop will help teams feel confident and prepared to take on the challenge. Participants will learn:
- How the competition will work, including the format, expectations, and judging process.
- How to analyze a case and develop a thoughtful, creative, and practical solution.
- How to organize recommendations and deliver a strong team presentation.
- Tips and strategies for success in a case competition.
The official competition case and challenge prompt will be distributed at this workshop, giving teams time to collaborate, develop their recommendations, and prepare their presentations before competition day.
At least one member of each team is required to attend, but all team members are strongly encouraged to participate.
Competition Format: What to Expect
What is a case competition?
A case competition challenges teams of students to analyze a real-world problem, develop a creative and practical solution, and present their recommendations to a panel of judges.
How will this competition work?
-
Attend the Workshop (November 30): Learn about the competition, receive guidance on developing a strong solution, and obtain the official case prompt.
-
Prepare Your Solution: Work with your teammates to analyze the case, explore possible solutions, and develop a presentation outlining your recommendations.
-
First Round of Presentations: Present your team's solution privately to a panel of judges and receive feedback.
-
Second Round of Presentations: Teams selected to advance will present their recommendations to the full group. Final round details will be shared before the competition.
-
Awards Ceremony: Celebrate everyone's accomplishments as the judges announce the winning team and award the $750 grand prize!
FGBB Conference & Case Competition
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Rawls Hall, 3rd Floor Atrium (RAWLS 3011)
Event Schedule
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | First Round of Presentations & Networking
Teams will present their solutions privately to a panel of judges and receive valuable feedback. Participants will also have opportunities to network and connect with fellow first-gen students.
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch
Lunch will be provided for participants.
1:00 – 2:30 PM | Second Round of Presentations
Teams advancing to the second round will present their recommendations to the full group. Final round details will be shared with participants before the competition.
2:30 – 3:00 PM | Awards Ceremony & Wrap-Up
Celebrate the accomplishments of our first-gen competitors as we announce the winning team and award the $750 grand prize!
Ready to Take on the Challenge?
Everyone starts somewhere. Make this your first case competition!
Register today as a team or individual and take the first step toward building your skills, confidence, and connections!
First Gen Forward Case Competition: Your First Case Starts Here!
Never participated in a case competition? Perfect! This one is designed for you!
The First Gen Forward Case Competition is a beginner-friendly opportunity for Purdue first-generation college students to tackle a real-world challenge, develop creative solutions, and build valuable professional skills in a supportive environment.
Whether you're studying business, engineering, liberal arts, science, or anything in between, this is your chance to gain hands-on experience, strengthen your teamwork and presentation skills, and connect with fellow first-gen Boilermakers.
No previous case competition experience or business background required!
Compete for a $750 Grand Prize!
The winning team will receive a $750 grand prize, with each of the three team members receiving $250!
How to Participate
- Open to first-generation college students from all Purdue majors.
- Students compete in teams of three.
- Register with your own team or sign up individually, and we'll match you with teammates.
- At least one member from each team must attend the required Case Competition Workshop on November 30.
Eligibility: The First Gen Forward Case Competition is designed to introduce first-generation college students to case competitions and provide opportunities to develop new skills. To ensure these opportunities remain accessible to new competitors, students who were members of a winning team in any previous First Gen Forward Case Competition are not eligible to compete again. Students who previously participated but did not win remain eligible to compete. Previous winners are encouraged to stay involved by serving as volunteers, judges or mentors, subject to organizer approval.
Required Case Competition Workshop
Monday, November 30, 2026, 6:00 PM | Krannert Building, Room 491
This workshop will help teams feel confident and prepared to take on the challenge. Participants will learn:
- How the competition will work, including the format, expectations, and judging process.
- How to analyze a case and develop a thoughtful, creative, and practical solution.
- How to organize recommendations and deliver a strong team presentation.
- Tips and strategies for success in a case competition.
The official competition case and challenge prompt will be distributed at this workshop, giving teams time to collaborate, develop their recommendations, and prepare their presentations before competition day.
At least one member of each team is required to attend, but all team members are strongly encouraged to participate.
Competition Format: What to Expect
What is a case competition?
A case competition challenges teams of students to analyze a real-world problem, develop a creative and practical solution, and present their recommendations to a panel of judges.
How will this competition work?
-
Attend the Workshop (November 30): Learn about the competition, receive guidance on developing a strong solution, and obtain the official case prompt.
-
Prepare Your Solution: Work with your teammates to analyze the case, explore possible solutions, and develop a presentation outlining your recommendations.
-
First Round of Presentations: Present your team's solution privately to a panel of judges and receive feedback.
-
Second Round of Presentations: Teams selected to advance will present their recommendations to the full group. Final round details will be shared before the competition.
-
Awards Ceremony: Celebrate everyone's accomplishments as the judges announce the winning team and award the $750 grand prize!
FGBB Conference & Case Competition
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Rawls Hall, 3rd Floor Atrium (RAWLS 3011)
Event Schedule
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | First Round of Presentations & Networking
Teams will present their solutions privately to a panel of judges and receive valuable feedback. Participants will also have opportunities to network and connect with fellow first-gen students.
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch
Lunch will be provided for participants.
1:00 – 2:30 PM | Second Round of Presentations
Teams advancing to the second round will present their recommendations to the full group. Final round details will be shared with participants before the competition.
2:30 – 3:00 PM | Awards Ceremony & Wrap-Up
Celebrate the accomplishments of our first-gen competitors as we announce the winning team and award the $750 grand prize!
Ready to Take on the Challenge?
Everyone starts somewhere. Make this your first case competition!
Register today as a team or individual and take the first step toward building your skills, confidence, and connections!
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