The NIU Investment Association Valuation Challenge is a free competition for high school and community college students. Students learn about teamwork, communication, risk, diversification, and both company and industry analysis. Each competing team is responsible for selecting two companies within the Challenge-specified industry and completing a preliminary merger and acquisition analysis, which includes an overview of the companies, industry, benefits, and risks. Winners are selected on the strength and articulation of their analysis.

At the end of the first round, teams will be required to submit documents detailing their findings. NIU Investment Association officer judges will then review these submissions and select a group of top teams. Those teams and their advisors will then be invited to virtually present and defend their recommendation to a panel of NIU Investment Association members, Faculty, and College of Business Officials who will then select the winning team. Good luck!

Rules of the competition:

- Students must be (a) in 9th to 12th grade (home-school teams welcome), or (b) attending a community college (NIU students or those with completed degrees are not eligible)
- A faculty adviser per team is strongly encouraged
- Teams may have up to five students
- Each team should strive to include at least one female student
- Schools may have up to two competing teams
- Once a team has been approved to participate, member substitutions are prohibited. If an unusual circumstance arises, the team’s faculty advisor may contact Dr. Nicolosi (gnicolos@niu.edu) to discuss available options.
- Teams advancing to the second round must be available to virtually defend their presentation and recommendation at the NIU Business Olympics on Saturday April 3rd


Important Dates:

- Teams are notified of the selected industry on February 5, 2021
- Register by February 12, 2021 (The competition is limited to the first 20 teams registered & approved.)
- First-round written report due March 5, 2021
- Teams advancing to the second round are notified on March 15, 2021
- Second-round slide deck and recording due March 26, 2021
- Second round virtual live Q&A at NIU's CoB Business Olympics on April 3, 2021

Prizes:

1st Place:   $200/person
2nd Place:  $100/person

While there are no restrictions on award use, we do encourage them to be used for educational purposes (e.g., to defray college expenses, to benefit the classroom or club, etc.). Faculty advisors should work with their local school officials to ensure that any local restrictions are met.

Although changes are not anticipated, NIU Investment Association reserves the right to make changes to the competition/rules at any time. Should a change occur, all teams will be notified.

For any further questions please contact NIU Investment Association President at president.niuia@gmail.com or NIU Finance Department Chair, Dr. Gina Nicolosi at gnicolos@niu.edu