What do Aldi, Berkshire Hathaway, Walmart, and over 80% of businesses in the world have in common? They are all family enterprises, and the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business has hosted the largest family enterprise case competition since 2013.
The 11th Schlesinger Global Family Enterprise Case Competition (a.k.a. SG-FECC) will take place at the University of Vermont in Burlington, VT this coming January 10 – 13, 2024. This event prepares graduate and undergraduate students from around the world to understand the critical issues that are unique to family enterprises. SG-FECC gives students an academically competitive environment to apply what they learn in the classroom to family business cases while meeting industry leaders, career networking, and growing their presentation skills. This “world cup” of family business brings academics in the field of family enterprise research together to expand collaborations, research, and family networks.
SG-FECC represents a link where sustainable enterprises lead the way in addressing complex challenges on a global scale. Now in its 11th year, SG-FECC attracts teams from universities around the world to compete to find the most innovative solutions for family business cases. In its lifetime SG-FECC has had over 66 universities representing 27 countries compete.
Over the course of the four-day competition, participants receive a different case each day, and have four hours to read the case and prepare their analysis and 20-minute presentation to a distinguished panel of judges. Cases are selected by an independent committee, outside of UVM, formed of four scholars experienced in case writing, teaching family business courses, and advising family enterprises in different parts of the world. The selected cases are intended to prepare the future leaders of sustainable enterprises to tackle the complex economic, social, and environmental challenges present within an ever-changing global environment.
“Conceptualizing and hosting this competition is a time-consuming labor of love, that has been extremely rewarding for Prof. Thomas Chittenden (co-Chair, SG-FECC) and me. It is incredible to watch the development and growth of student organizers and competitors in it,” said Dita Sharma, professor & Schlesinger-Grossman Chair of Family Business, Grossman School of Business. “We are humbled and grateful by the tremendous support of coaches, judges, and sponsors for this signature event for the Grossman School of Business.”
Earlier this summer the Schlesinger Global Family Enterprise Case Competition was honored with the 2023 International Achievement Award by the Family Firm Institute (FFI), the leading global association for family enterprise professionals.
Anticipating the largest competition to-date, UVM students are invited to join the SG-FECC team as Ambassadors for this year’s event. Ambassadors assist and act as a point of contact for each team for the duration of the competition. This is an excellent opportunity for networking with like-minded individuals from global universities and enterprises around the world. Ambassadors provide hospitality and guidance for navigating the competition – ensuring teams are up to date with competition materials and submission deadlines. Shared lodging at the event hotel (Burlington, Hilton) and meals will be provided during the event! Applications are open through September 29. Interested UVM students can contact the organizing team leaders William Tessmer, Nicole Sobczak, or Owen Venturelli for more information.
The Grossman School of Business looks forward to hosting this innovative competition and welcoming students, teams, coaches, family business owners, and advisors to share their knowledge and networks while strengthening their understanding of family enterprises at the 11th edition of SG-FECC! Follow the SG-FECC LinkedIn page for updates.