A global success

From the 26^th to the 31^st of October 2025, the newly founded FS Business Case Initiative celebrated its international debut at the Business and Management Case Competition (BMCC) at the Universidad Panamericana in Mexico. This marked the initiative's first appearance on the global stage, officially representing the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.

The team – consisting of Greta Hiß, Nicolette Peytchev, Julius Degenkolb, and Tomislav Aleksic – achieved outstanding success:

The students placed first  in each of the first two cases and entered the final with a perfect score. After the final 6-hour case, the team ultimately achieved a top 5 ranking among 15 international universities.

Practical learning in an international environment

The FS Business Case Initiative aims to promote future leaders who combine analytical thinking, teamwork, and global perspectives. By participating in international case study competitions, the initiative enables students to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world business scenarios, build professional networks, and represent the Frankfurt School worldwide.

“Tomislav and I have set ourselves the goal of working with the Frankfurt School to build a community of talented students who are passionate about tackling complex challenges and learning to deliver top performance even under pressure,” explains Martha Zoller, co-head of the initiative. “The success in Mexico shows how much potential Frankfurt School students have and that we can easily keep up with established business case initiatives of other universities.”

This is also a win for the Frankfurt School: the students represent their university internationally and promote it worldwide as an attractive place to study for a master's degree.

A week full of learning, culture, and team spirit

The competition took place in Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city, and combined intensive case phases with cultural activities.

On the very first day, the international teams were warmly welcomed with traditional music and Mexican cuisine.

On Monday, the first 4-hour case study on Artex, a premium furniture brand, was on the agenda. The FS team impressed with a strategy for sustainable growth and won the first round.

The 24-hour case on Wednesday challenged the teams to develop a global brand strategy for the well-known spice manufacturer Tajín to strengthen its relevance among Generation Z and Alpha. Despite minimal sleep, the FS team presented a convincing solution to Tajín's CEO and the jury the following day. Once again, they took first place.

In Friday's final, the students worked on a final case study for Atlas FC Femenil, the women's soccer team of Club Atlas. Their strategy aimed to develop the brand into a financially viable and culturally relevant beacon of women's soccer in Mexico.

Personal development and professional diversity

By participating in international case competitions, students develop a wide range of skills. They have to familiarize themselves with new topics, analyze complex issues, and present viable strategies in a very short time. In the process, individual strengths are specifically promoted.

Whether it's marketing, innovation management, or financial modeling, everyone can contribute and expand their own skills. Working in interdisciplinary teams also promotes communication skills, resilience, and structured thinking. All of these are key qualifications for future careers.

Community and outlook

The FS Business Case Initiative invites interested students to become part of its growing community. Members receive training in case solving, presentation techniques, financial modeling, and critical thinking in Frankfurt and represent the Frankfurt School in international competitions.

“We are proud to represent the Frankfurt School worldwide. The success in Mexico is just the beginning,” emphasizes Co-Head Tomislav Aleksic. “We learn and grow with every competition.”

In February 2026, members of the initiative will embark on their next case competition: the IE BBA Case Competition in Madrid.

Special thanks go to coaches Professor Jerry Guo and Cindy Lehman for their dedicated support, as well as to the Frankfurt School for supporting this project. Last but not least, we would like to express our gratitude to the Frankfurt School's Förderverein. Without them, our initiative and taking part in Case Competitions would not be possible.