Student Competitions

Competitions give students the opportunity to experience real-life situations and apply business concepts learned throughout the program. Students also gain exposure to industry leaders, which can potentially lead to investments in new ventures or employment at existing firms.

Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC)

Our most acclaimed program is the international award-winning VCIC, invented by UNC Kenan-Flagler in 1998. Each year over 500 students from 50 top MBA programs participate in VCIC, a one-of-a-kind immersion for future entrepreneurs and investors to learn invaluable lessons in entrepreneurial financing. Students play the role of investors in a mock venture fund evaluating real entrepreneurs as investment possibilities. In April, venture capitalists and top MBA students from around the country and Europe descend on Chapel Hill for the VCIC International Finals.

Sustainable Venture Capital Investment Competition (SVCIC)

A sister event to the VCIC is the Sustainable Venture Capital Investment Competition, or SVCIC. Each year, eight top MBA programs including UNC, Kellogg, Wharton, Berkeley, Michigan and others, come to Chapel Hill in March to evaluate new ventures that have double or triple bottom line missions. That is, they have social and/or environmental objectives in addition to the pursuit of financial returns. Student teams play the role of investors, while venture capitalists act as judges.

Undergraduate Venture Capital Investment Competition (uVCIC)

Started in 2007, the undergraduate VCIC brings the experience of venture capital to undergraduate students. Back in 1998, when VCIC was first organized, most MBA programs did not have courses in venture capital. Now, VC courses are offered at all top MBA programs. However, very few undergraduate programs have venture capital classes. uVCIC is the first exposure many students get to the exciting world of new venture financing.

Carolina Challenge

Year-long efforts from business planning courses in various disciplines and other workshops culminate at the annual Carolina Challenge, where teams compete for various prizes based upon the quality of their business ventures, the strength of their written plan, and the persuasiveness of their presentation to judges. This competition will differ from many others in its variety of awards categories, such as social venturing, academic venturing and traditional venturing. Judging will focus on innovation and cross-campus collaboration. Cash prizes will help ventures get off the ground.

Other Business Plan Competitions

MBA students have access to business plan competitions around the country. To see some recent UNC Kenan-Flagler successes, visit the case competition and student accomplishment page.