UCF Business Student-Led Teams Sweep Top 3 Spots in New Global Business Analysis Challenge
By UCF College of Business
(January 15, 2025)
Three UCF College of Business student-led teams swept the top three spots in the recent Global Business Analysis Challenge, which featured 94 teams and 468 students from UCF, Universidad del Norte (Colombia), Krakow University of Economics (Poland) and Tecnologico de Monterrey (Mexico). UCF’s Alejandra Alas ’24, Benjamin Challco and Nathan Fliess teamed up with Zofia Hermanuik and Airiangga Rump from Krakow University of Economics to take first place for their innovative technology solution to integrate the Starbucks app with global merchandise purchases for an enhanced experience for collectors.
The challenge, which is part of the Business Climate Analysis course, part of the College’s Integrated Business degree, asked students to identify global opportunities or threats for the coffee giant and propose innovative solutions. The competition is designed to give students an international experience without leaving home.
“Not all undergraduate students have the chance to participate in exchange programs abroad, so this project allows them to learn from and understand different cultures,” said UCF IB lecturer Sara Lopez, who designed and launched the Global Business Analysis Challenge this fall. “It also broadened their views on how businesses operate globally. With advancements in technology and remote working, physical location is no longer a barrier. Understanding the nuances of being part of a multi-cultural team is a skill that must be developed and practiced.”
Over the course of seven weeks, students navigated time zones, language barriers and cultural differences to develop their team’s pitches for Starbucks.
“This program was insightful because it presented a realistic problem that arises in international business,” said Alas, an Integrated Business graduate. “My group often employed creative solutions to involve everyone and account for our different perspectives. Within my own group, there were various nationalities represented which gave rise to a plethora of perspectives and furthered our level of creativity. In the end, we presented a technological business solution that we were proud of, having built camaraderie in the process.”
The team of UCF’s Brandon Aviles, Seth Coruch and Sage Muentes, along with Sofia Maurizzi from Krakow University of Economics placed second. UCF’s Trent Behner, Arielle Dwyer and Katherine Hurley, Palina Nestsiarovich from Krakow University of Economics and Juan Vela from Universidad del Norte took third.
A panel of Integrated Business graduates served as judges for the opening rounds, and nineteen teams advanced to the qualifying round. Instructors in the program selected the top three teams. The challenge earned the course, Lopez and the IB department the High Impact Practice (HIP) – Global Learning Course Designation.