Capstone Cup Challenges UNO Seniors to Solve Real Business Problems

What’s Happening:

As the end of the Fall 2024 semester draws near, students from the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) College of Business Administration (CBA) are not just focusing on final exams, but also on a hands-on experience that puts their academic learning to the test by facing real-world business challenges.

Why it Matters:

The Capstone Cup is a highlight for graduating seniors, offering them the chance to work directly with local businesses in the Omaha-Metro area.

Integrated within the Corporate & Business Strategy course, this semester-long event allows students to apply their strategic knowledge to solve pressing business issues, giving them a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on the community.

Over the course of several months, teams conduct extensive research, analyze business challenges, and develop strategic solutions. The process culminates in a series of poster presentations where students showcase their insights and demonstrate how their recommendations align with the real-world needs of their business partners.

By working alongside local professionals and receiving feedback from industry experts, students are equipped with the tools and confidence they need to navigate the complexities in the business field.

What They’re Saying:

• "What I really love now is that they’re working with local businesses. They can really have an impact on the local community and make thoughtful recommendations to real companies." - UNO alumni and Capstone Cup judge Cortny Tyler, who’s been coming back since 2021 after participating in the competition as a student in 2019.

• "It was super useful. I think it’s a really good experience to meet a new group of people and start working together, which you may do in a lot of business settings. It feels like real job experience." - Bridgette Davis, UNO senior majoring in Banking and Financial Markets.

What’s Next:

The Capstone Cup continues to be a key element in UNO’s commitment to preparing students for the workforce. CBA students leave the competition with practical skills and real-world experience, ready to face the challenges of today’s business landscape.

Congratulations to the Fall 2024 Finalists:

1st Place

Team 3: Farm Bid Mavericks

• Hannah Bro, Business Finance

• Kristin Maddux, Marketing

• Lauren Richter, Accounting

• Kelli Smith, Management & Leadership

2nd Place

Team 18: Full Metal Strategists

• Saja Al Maawali, Supply Chain Management

• Sierra Mann, Marketing

• Mason Michaelis, Investment Science and Portfolio Management

• Rafael Perez, Sales

3rd Place

Team 13: BNEB Solutions

• Barbara Balan, International Business

• Bridgette Davis, Banking and Financial Markets

• Eli Dunham, Business Analytics

• Nick Wiebelhaus, Entrepreneurship

Finalists

Team 8: Certified Group of Strategic Trend Setters

• Carissa Gottschalk, Human Resource Management

• Taylor Richard, Marketing

• Shelby Rinehart, Legal Studies

• Gabe Zurek, Business Finance

Team 13: BNEB Solutions

• Barbara Balan, International Business

• Bridgette Davis, Banking and Financial Markets

• Eli Dunham, Business Analytics

• Nick Wiebelhaus, Entrepreneurship

Team 22: Forge Force

• Aman Alahi, Real Estate and Land Use Economics

• Julia Bodwell, Accounting

• Noah Heldt, Human Resource Management

• Caitlin Killough, Sales

Team 3: Farm Bid Mavericks

• Hannah Bro, Business Finance

• Kristin Maddux, Marketing

• Lauren Richter, Accounting

• Kelli Smith, Management & Leadership