2025 Cornhusker Case Competition
Thank you for your interest in representing your institution at the 2024 Cornhusker Business Case Competition hosted by the Nebraska Business Honors Academy. This is a competition for students by students. Undergraduate teams eager to apply their analytical and problem-solving skills to a business case are invited to compete!
October 9-10, 2025
Important Information
Team Composition
Teams of 4-5 undergraduate students
Prizes
As a recognition for excellence, top teams win the following cash prizes split evenly between team members:
1st Place:
$3,000
2nd Place:
$2,000
3rd Place:
$1,000
Case Information
This business case competition, hosted by Nebraska Business Honors Academy students, will challenge competitors to apply a broad set of skills and present to different audiences. Teams will be tasked with utilizing donated funds to implement a revitalization process at a given zoo. Successful teams will analyze the public support opportunities for the zoo, ascertain key financial and operational details, and design a unique value proposition for stakeholders.
Pre-Competition Work
The first week of October, participating teams will be sent a case overview packet which will include details on the case, presentation expectations, and other required final deliverables. All case deliverables, supporting documents and presentation will be required to be returned by Sunday, October 20 at 11:59 p.m.
Tentative Competition Schedule
| DAY 1 | Thursday, October 9 | Howard L Hawks Hall, Nebraska City Campus *Casual University Apparel | |
|---|---|
| 5-6 p.m. | Social Hour and Optional Tours |
| DAY 2 | Friday, October 10 | Howard L Hawks Hall, Nebraska City Campus *Business Professional Dress | |
|---|---|
| 8:15 a.m. | Check In |
| 8:30-9 a.m. | Opening Remarks |
| 9:15-11 a.m. | Presentation 1 (All Teams) |
| 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12 p.m. | New Case Information Released |
| 12:15-1:15 p.m. | Teamwork Time |
| 1:15-3 p.m. | Presentation 2 (All Teams) |
| 3-3:30 p.m. | Break |
| 3:30-4:45 p.m. | Final Presentation (Top 4 Teams) |
| 5-5:30 p.m. | Awards |
2024 Cornhusker Case Competition
Winners
First Place: University of Texas - Austin
Second Place: University of Iowa
Third Place: University of Texas - Dallas
Travel Accommodations
Each visiting team is responsible for their own hotel and travel accommodations.
Location
Howard L. Hawks Hall
730 N 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68588
Hotel
Lincoln offers a variety of hotels within walking distance of the College of Business. The closest hotels are in the Haymarket district or downtown Lincoln.
Air Travel
Destination: Lincoln Municipal Airport (LNK)
- 4 miles to City Campus
- Visit go.unl.edu/airport-transportation for ground transportation and car rental options
Destination: Omaha Municipal Airport (OMA)
About 65 miles from campus or around an hour drive. Here are some options for getting from OMA to your visit in Lincoln:
- Car Rental
- Shuttle from Omaha airport to Lincoln will be provided upon request. Please email erin.burnette@unl.edu
Drive
When you drive to Lincoln, you'll have many options for parking near campus.
Explore UNL Parking Explore Lincoln Activities
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a successful team?
The most competitive team will have a group of students who possess the skills to analyze information critically, move quickly and deliberatively, and consider feedback from the judges.
What should I expect?
This is a competition for students run by students. We promise you a minimum of two presentations. You will also get two sets of feedback from the judges. Judges will be comprised of both faculty and industry representatives.
What does my registration cost cover?
Registration costs cover Thursday evenings networking social which includes heavy appetizers and desserts, Friday’s lunch, and other associated programming costs.
Do I have to be a business major to be on a team?
No, we welcome all majors to participate.
Who will the judges be?
A combination of industry professionals and faculty. Throughout the competition you will have the opportunity to receive both written and verbal feedback from the judges.
Competition Planning Team
Kaylee Campbell
Junior, Actuarial Science
Eric Jacob
Junior, Business Law and Economics
Tanner Maas
Junior, Actuarial Science and Finance
Grace Schaefer
Junior, Supply Chain Management
