Round 1:

In this round, participants will solve a quiz featuring terms related to investments and marketing. Your score will determine your qualification for the next round, with time taken to complete the puzzle serving as the tiebreaker in case of a tie.

Round 2:

Teams will first be assigned a startup sector and given a set amount of funds to allocate across various departments, such as Research & Development (R&D), Marketing, and Product Development. You will be provided with key details about the startup, including its financial history and target sector, to inform your initial strategic distribution. Following this initial allocation, participants will receive a scenario card (e.g., new competitor, funding cut, cyber-attack, or IPO boom) which requires an immediate financial adjustment. Your core task is to strategically distribute the initial funds and then quickly justify how you readjust the finances and build a resilient new plan under pressure. Your submission must be a pitch-deck style presentation that strategically distributes the funds and fully justifies the initial and revised decisions, demonstrating how you handle the sudden market/operational change.

Round 3:

In the final round, participants will receive a set of startups from VCs, along with key data about each business. Your task is to strategically choose which startup to invest in, providing well-reasoned justifications for your decision. The VC judges will evaluate your pitch, and the winner will be announced based on the strength of your investment strategy.