Join a Tradition of Excellence (and Fun) at ISU - Applications Now Open for the International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition

Do you want to know what it takes to start and run a company? Do you have an entrepreneurial mindset? Are you interested in learning about the interworking of a business, from finance to marketing?

Applications are now open for ISU’s International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition (ICBSC) team. ICBSC is a rigorous competition challenging top-level students from around the world to complete 12 quarters (three years) of simulated business decisions expedited over the course of a semester, in addition to submitting a formal business plan and annual report. Students then travel to Anaheim, California, for an intense 72-hour competition against their peers, followed by a formal presentation to executive-level judges from companies throughout the western United States.

"The ICBSC has been a decade-long tradition at ISU, and we are incredibly proud of our over 80 ISU alumni who have competed in this competition and now occupy leadership roles in organizations from coast-to-coast and beyond,” said Interim College of Business Dean and ICBSC Advisor, Dr. Alex Bolinger. “The chance to work with a high-performing team and compete against schools from across the continent is one-of-a-kind. I have never come across a better educational opportunity that gets you this close to experiencing what it is like to run your own business without actually risking your own money.”

"ICBSC was an incredible journey that I am truly grateful for,” said undergraduate participant and accounting and finance major Gracie Funk. “The real-life experience of running a business allowed me to connect concepts from my undergraduate studies and gain practical insights that will shape my career path. This competition brought everything into perspective and deepened my understanding of business strategy and decision-making."

Applications are open to all ISU students, but a base knowledge from introductory business courses is highly recommended. Thanks to generous donors to the College of Business, the costs of registration, travel, and accommodations of students selected for the undergraduate and graduate teams will be covered. This is a unique opportunity and the College of Business encourages you to apply! Learn more and submit your application by October 13 at isu.edu/cob/icbsc. Questions can be directed to Dr. Bolinger at alexbolinger@isu.edu.