McDonough Business Strategy Challenge 2025 (First Place)

Congratulations to our student team for winning the First Place in McDonough Business Strategy Challenge 2025!

McDonough Business Strategy Challenge is an international undergraduate case competition hosted annually by Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., USA. This year, the competition brought together 16 student teams from top business schools around the world to tackle real-world challenges by the non-profit sector.

We are proud of our students’ exceptional presentation skills, innovative ideas, and outstanding teamwork. Please join us in congratulating them on this remarkable achievement.

More about the competition: https://mbsc.georgetown.edu/

Award:

First Place

Team members:

Mr. Duangthip Wee, BBA(IBGM), Year 2

Mr. Sy Mateo Rafael Roman, BBA(IBGM), Year 2

Mr. Xia Yunchu, BBA(IBGM), Year 2

Mr. Xu Shu Ming Alex, BBA(IBGM), Year 2

Student Sharing:

I’m thrilled to share that my team, KAWM Consulting, was crowned Champions at the McDonough Business Strategy Challenge (MBSC) 2025 at Georgetown University! Representing HKU Business School at the world’s largest non-profit case competition was an unforgettable experience.

Over an intense 30-hour challenge, we collaborated with Friendship Place, a D.C.-based nonprofit fighting homelessness, to develop innovative strategies to expand their services, attract younger donors, and engage young professionals in their mission.

Our winning solutions included the “Friendship Van,” a mobile initiative to generate revenue and raise awareness, and a “Youth Engagement Pipeline” to connect with younger generations and build future donor support.

This achievement was a true team effort, and I’m incredibly grateful for my teammates Mateo Sy, Kevin Xia, Alex Xu, and our advisor, Prof. Derrald Stice, whose guidance was invaluable. A heartfelt thanks to Georgetown University, the organizing committee of MBSC, and Friendship Place for trusting us with their mission.

This experience reminded me of the power of business strategy to drive meaningful impact. I’m proud to have contributed to a cause bigger than myself and excited to carry these lessons forward.

(by Mr. Duangthip Wee)

I am enthralled to have been given the opportunity to join the McDonough Business Strategy Challenge held by Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Through gaining the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, meet others from around the globe, and learn from the world-renown host university; I grew tremendously and gained life-long memories.

While dealing with an NGO was tough initially and posed challenges as we were less aware of the landscape and policies of the district, through research and collaboration, we were able to push through. I am happy to have brought the trophy home to HKU with my team.

(by Mr. Sy Mateo Rafael Roman)

Winning first place at the McDonough Business Strategy Challenge (MBSC) 2025 was an incredible and deeply rewarding experience for me. During the 28-hours case, my teammates were engaged, constantly bouncing ideas off each other and refining our strategy. I learned a lot about efficient communication and the power of active listening as we worked under pressure. There were definitely moments where we hit roadblocks, but seeing our team rally, challenge each other constructively, and collectively develop a cohesive and impactful solution was truly inspiring. It really reinforced the power of collaborative problem-solving in a high-stakes environment.

Beyond the competition itself, connecting with fellow participants, judges, and the NGO was invaluable. It was energizing to be surrounded by so many passionate people dedicated to business and its potential for positive social impact. The MBSC not only sharpened my analytical and presentation skills but also reaffirmed my commitment to leveraging business for good. I’m so grateful for the experience and eager to apply these lessons moving forward!

(by Mr. Xia Yunchu, Kevin)

McDonough Business Strategy Challenge had been a challenging yet especially rewarding experience. Stepping into the realm of NGO, we faced several obstacles, such as lack of local understanding (as compared with the US teams) and unfamiliarity with the NGO landscape in the US. Through extensive preparation and teamwork, we were able to conquer these difficulties and proposed unique, implementable strategies, ultimately bringing us to the first place.

(by Mr. Xu Shu Ming Alex)