Next generation of business leaders compete at GVSU

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Teams from four Michigan colleges will gather at Grand Valley State University on February 25 to compete in the state finals of a business competition that aims to give graduate students experience and the chance to win $5,000.

The Association for Corporate Growth Western Michigan (ACGWM) is holding its inaugural ACG Cup. The ACG Cup is a competition designed to give MBA and MS Finance students  real-world experience while networking with this region's top merger and acquisition professionals.

Teams from Davenport University, Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University and Western Michigan University will compete in the finals. Teams from each school will analyze a complex business case provided by ACGWM and recommend strategies involving valuation, identifying capital markets, developing merger/acquisition strategic alternatives and financing options. Prominent members of the corporate community will apply their industry expertise as judges for the competition. The winning team will receive $5,000 at the ACGWM Outstanding Growth Award reception held in March 2009 at DeVos Place.

“ACG Cup represents an exciting opportunity to put the spotlight on West Michigan's next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs,” said Christine Moag, president of ACGWM. “At the same time, it helps our community address a critical challenge in our region - talent retention. We want our home-grown, best and brightest to learn and work here.”

It is hoped that the competition will help keep talented graduates in the area. "We have such talented people in West Michigan, and many of them are in our MBA programs," said Carol Sánchez, professor of management at Grand Valley. "The ACG Cup is a great way to showcase this great talent to West Michigan business leaders. It is critical to retain talent here in our region, and this is one way we're trying to do just that."

MEDIA NOTE: The finals will be held in Grand Valley State University's Loosemore Auditorium on Wednesday, February 25, 2009. The session is open to the public, and media coverage is welcomed.  During the finals, a new case study will be presented to 4 finalist teams (one from each University), who will present their recommendations and respond to judges' questions for 30 minutes. After all teams present, the judges will deliberate and the winners will be announced at the ACG Outstanding Growth Award reception held in March 2009 at DeVos Place.

For more information about ACG Cup, visit www.acgwmich.org/acgcup or call ACGWM at (616) 732-7149.