Neeley MBAs Take Top Prize in Corporate Growth Competition
MBA students from the Texas Christian University – Neeley School of Business recently took first place and $15,000 in a Texas-wide competition from the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG).
The TCU team consisted of four MBA students — Cameron Mitchell, Varun Gadia, Zach Westbrook and Brett Baldwin — who made it through two rounds of presentations to M&A professionals from ACG before earning the top prize.
Gadia commented on the assistance that the students were provided leading up to competition day:
“[w]e got a lot of support from John Ball, our mentor with ACG, and last year’s winning TCU team, who came back to campus to talk about their experience and give advice on what we should and should not be doing,” he said.
Nevertheless, it was clear the students stood on their own merit, preparing every possible question in advance.
“I think we practiced the presentation 30 times, including the trip to Houston in the car,” said Gaida. “You could wake me up at 3 a.m. and I would know it!”
The competition tested the student’s knowledge of investment banking, financial advisory, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. According to Mitchell, the knowledge needed for the win was a culmination of everything they’ve learned so far in business school. Between presentation skills learned in the Professional Development Center and in-depth knowledge gained in financial classes, the students were able to assemble a unique skillset.
ACG has chapters across the nation which host ACG cup competitions, which allow ACG members to develop close relationships with business schools in their areas, connecting the upcoming generation of business leaders with the corporate growth and development community.
Westbrook, who had to leave the competition before the winners were announced for a job interview, recalls finding out about the win while interviewing. “I got to announce in the middle of my interview that we had just won 15 grand,” he said.
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Alanna Shaffer
Staff Writer, covering MetroMBA's news beat for Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas.
