Global Scaling Challenge

Anderson School of Management

The University of New Mexico (UNM) Anderson School of Management's “Global Scaling Challenge” prepares participants to understand the critical issues that are unique to scaling firms. The “Challenge” provides an environment where both the firms and the expert- or faculty-mentored student teams gain great value. 

​

Student teams apply the knowledge and expertise they have developed in the classroom towards solving complex “live” firm scaling cases from real firms that need assistance. The firms benefit from having an internationally diverse set of “eyes and minds” focusing on their scaling efforts.  The teams will be provided a video and any information the firms choose to provide them.  The teams will receive an information workup from Boston Analytics, an artificial intelligence-based firm, that they can utilize for their presentations. 

​

The Challenge is comprised of three rounds of competitions. Each team presents their case to a distinguished panel of judges who will determine which group best understood, analyzed, and presented a convincing scaling pathway.

​

​

​

Global Scaling Challenge

​

​

​

​

​

2021 Theme

Biological-Based Problems Facing the 21st Century World

​

2021 Business Cases will be announced in March 2021

What is the Global Scaling Challenge?

​

The UNM Anderson School of Management Global Scaling Challenge will feature three innovative businesses seeking assistance to respond to a 21st Century biological problem. Selected companies seek immediate help with their strategic direction and have requested as "many eyes" as they can get. Current firm applicants include businesses developing medical instrumentation for the 21st Century, COVID virus prevention and elimination, vaccine generation and invasive species removal. Mentored student teams will have the opportunity to work directly on these real-world firm challenges and help companies with their strategic efforts in the form of a presentation to the founders and a panel of expert judges.

​

Why is the Global Scaling Challenge different from other business case competitions?

​

Unlike other case competitions, student presentations will be made of and to "real" firms in a "live" setting.  The expert lead student teams will benefit from working with company executives and founders on current problems they face.  Participating firms benefit from new perspectives on the current business challenges they face with innovative scaling directions.

Who can apply to the Global Scaling Challenge?

​

The Global Scaling Case Challenge is open to any International student-teams. Teams must apply before April 12th.  STUDENT REGISTRATION 

Local and International Businesses can apply with their firm scaling case involving a 21st Century biological problem before April 1st.  BUSINESS REGISTRATION

When are the important dates and deadlines?

Registration Deadlines

• April   1st:  Deadline for firms to submit their scaling case 

• April 7th:  Deadline for Student Team Applications

​​

     Challenge Starts

• April 15th:  Business Case Briefs Sent to Student Team

​​

     Event & Final Presentations​

• April 22nd - 24th: Presentations for Global Scaling Challenge

How does the Global Scaling Case Challenge work?

​

The Global Scaling Challenge will start on April 15th. Team leads will be distributed documents about the 2021 firms cases and will have until April 22nd to review. Firms will provide a briefing document with data and a description of their current scaling challenges. An artificial intelligence firm work up from Boston Analytics - an industry leader in AI business reporting - on each 2021 case will supplement the businesses' documents. Teams will have the week to review their case. 

​

Student groups will process all information available utilizing their team's expertise, research and innovative thought process to find solutions to these real-world business challenges. Student groups will present their findings directly to each firm's founder in a 10-minute presentation over the three-day agenda from April 22nd - 24th. Participating firms will gain a new perspective through innovative ideas from student groups about potential funders in their area, potential acquirers and potential customers. Final presentations are judged by the firm's founder and a panel of industry professionals, including Venture Capital, Economic Development, Tech Transfer and other professionals.

Agenda for April 22nd - 24th, 2021

​

​