IFAMA World Conferences convene members from academia, industry, government, NGOs, and young professionals from around the world to share, learn, explore, and build upon the latest research trends and innovations currently shaping the agribusiness sector. We are pleased to announce that the IFAMA 2025 Student Case Competition, sponsored by SLC Agricola and Atvos, will be hosted in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil as part of the 35th annual World Conference, 22–26 June 2025, on the theme: Leveraging Food and Bioenergy with Innovation and Sustainability.

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Guidelines

For 20 years, IFAMA has annually hosted the only global agribusiness competition for students, graduate-level, and early career professionals who are pursuing careers in the food and agriculture sector—establishing itself as a premier event showcasing the next generation of talent and future leaders.

IFAMA knows that the future of feeding people on the planet rests in the hands of the next generation and we actively promote the food and ag sector as an industry of choice, providing experiences that nurture professional development and career advancement.

Teams from top universities and institutions worldwide convene to demonstrate their analytical and problem-solving skills on a global stage.

The competition occurs over several days and progressively advances in complexity through an elimination process that identifies the top tier teams who will pitch their solutions before the entire congress during the Business Forum at the 2025 World Conference in Brazil.

Team Structure

The 2025 competition provides an opportunity for teams to compete in one of three divisions:

Undergraduate Students 
Graduate Students 
Early Career Professionals (under 35-years old)

Teams can have 3–5 members. A current IFAMA membership is required for all team members.

Undergraduate teams must be comprised of only undergraduates. Mixed teams are allowed among the graduate and young professional levels; however, the team must be primarily composed of members within that category. Universities or companies are welcome to send multiple teams to compete. 

A person who is not already on a team but would like to compete can join an International team by submitting an individual application. Once all applications are received, IFAMA will make every effort to pair individuals with other unattached students or young professionals in level-appropriate divisions. To apply, submit an Unaffiliated Individual Application and we will contact you once all the applications are received. A special rate fee is available for people who apply to join an International team.

Role of the Advisor

Each team must have either an academic or industry advisor. The advisor will be the key point of contact between IFAMA and the team prior to the competition. Although advisors play a major role in helping students prepare for the competition, students must work independently from their advisor during the competition. Students and advisors will be given the scoring rubric to be used by the judges after enrolling in the competition.

Competition Structure

Important: The structure and delivery of the Student Case Competition will occur differently in 2025 from previous years.

Two unique cases will be utilized in the competition. Case 1 will be used in the Preliminary Round, and Case 2 will be used in the Semi Finals Round. The Grand Finale Round will bring both cases together through a series of questions addressing challenges faced by both protagonists. The 2025 World Champions will be selected from each division during the Grand Finale Showcase.

Preliminary Round 

All teams should plan to arrive in Ribeirão Preto no later than Saturday 21-June.
Preliminary Round begins on Sunday 22-June.   

Buses will transport the teams to Harven Agribusiness School campus which is the location for the 2025 Student Case Competition.

Schedule 

Friday, 20-June 
Case 1 will be released through email. This will give teams approximately 24-hours to read the case prior starting the competition. The exact time that teams receive their case study will be determined by their time zone of origin and travel time required to attend the competition. This will ensure that all teams have adequate time to read the case.

Sunday, 22-June 
8:00 am  Buses leave hotels and transit
8:30 am` Arrive at Harven Agribusiness School for registration and check-in
9:00 am  Orientation meeting  
9:30 am  Competition begins
1:00 pm  Judging for the Preliminary Round starts

*Lunch and snacks will be provided.

Teams will receive their case assignment and official start time in a staggered start process. Teams will have three (3) hours to develop their solution and complete a PowerPoint presentation that showcases their plan for the judges.

Teams have 25 minutes for their presentations:

• 5 minutes for set up
• 15 minutes for the presentation
• 5 minutes for a question-and-answers with the judges

Teams will be evaluated based on their presentation and responses to the judges’ questions. Teams may not attend the presentations of other teams competing in the competition, nor can their advisors provide any feedback to the teams during the competition or read the case study.

All Preliminary teams will be judged during the afternoon of Sunday 22-June. 

Semi Finals

Monday, 23-June 

Teams advancing to the Semi-Finals Round will be announced during the opening session of the Academic Symposium on Monday, 23-June (also located on the campus of Harven Agribusiness School). Following the announcement, the advancing teams will convene for a short meeting and receive their second assignment, Case 2.

Teams will have 4 hours to read, analyze, develop a solution, and corresponding PowerPoint Presentation. The judging sessions will occur on Monday afternoon (exact times to be announced). Teams advancing to the Grand Finale Round will be announced on the morning of Tuesday, 24-June, during the start of Day 2 of the Symposium.

*All non-advancing teams will be free to attend other activities occurring during the Academic Symposium.

Grand Finale Round

The top two to three teams selected by the judges in each division will be invited to advance to the Grand Finale Showcase during the Business Industry Forum on Wednesday and Thursday, 25–26 June. 

To prepare for this, advancing teams will receive a final challenge on Tuesday, 24-June.They will be tasked with taking the solutions they developed for both Case 1 and Case 2 and position them within contextual questions related to a Global Business Environment. Teams will have 3 hours to produce a brief PowerPoint that showcases their ideas before a panel of high-level judges and the congress.

Winners in each division will be formally recognized during the IFAMA awards ceremony on Thursday, 26-June. Cash prizes and internship opportunities will be awarded.

Conference Registration Prices

Register for Conference here

Timeline

06 Mar  |   Preparation Workshop: Q & A session with SCC CHairs

15 Apr   |   Deadline to submit an application for Teams and Individuals

15 May   |  Deadline to register for conference

20 Jun   |  Case1 Released to Teams

21 Jun   |   Teams arrival deadline (Saturday)

22 Jun   |   Student Case Competition Preliminary Round  (Sunday) Team orientation 

23 Jun   |   Student Case Competition – Semi Finals Round Case 2

24 Jun  |   Grand Finalist announced. Advancing teams final challenge

25-26 Jun  |  Grand Finale presentations during the Business Forum

26 Jun   |   Awards presented during Presidential Banquet 

2025 Student Case Competition Co-Chairs

Why Compete?

DOWNLOAD THE POSTER

SCC Preparation Video

Watch this video to learn how to analyze a case and prepare a novel solution. Plus, you’ll learn strategies to help your team shine and improve your presentation skills.

The video workshop is hosted by the Co-chairs of the 2025 Student Case Competition: Juan José Bolaños, Luis Umaña Timms, and Louis Batley 

Team Recruitment Info

This document has all the information you need to explain the competition to advisors and peers so you can form a team and budget for the event.

Registration

All team members must be current IFAMA members. Download and complete the team or unaffiliated individual application below.

Team Application

Unaffiliated Individual Application

After you have completed the form, use the information on the form to register online, by clicking the button below. Please register your team by April 15, 2024.

Submit Your Application Here

Plan Your Trip

We've cerated a document to help you plan your trip to Brazil. It includes information on airports, ground transportation, venues, lodging, meals, travel insurance and travel visas, and local and regional sight-seeing. You'll also find details about the post-conference Brazilian Agribusiness Immersion Program, a certified program with 40 hours of coursework, offered by Harven Agribusiness School. Download the Plan Your Trip document.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: As of April 10th, 2025, passport holders from Australia, Canada, and the United States will need a visa to enter Brazil. We strongly recommend you use eVisa prior to your departure to prevent travel disruptions or delays. The online visa application form is accessible here.

Questions?

Questions regarding any aspect of this competition may be directed to Kathryn White: conference@ifama.org

Learn More

About the IFAMA Student Case Competition