Earlier this month, I had the incredible opportunity to represent Frankfurt School of Finance & Management at the HEC Business Game 2025 held in Paris. Known as one of the most competitive and prestigious case competitions in Europe, the event brought together 150 talented students from 55 universities and 33 countries, creating a dynamic and intellectually charged environment.
Over two days, we tackled four real-world business challenges designed by industry-leading companies, pushing our strategic thinking, collaboration skills, and resilience to the limit.
Bain & Company: Decarbonizing a Global F&B Brand
The first challenge came from Bain & Company, where we were asked to develop a strategy to help a multinational food and beverage company decarbonize its operations.
We focused on a comprehensive plan addressing Scope 1–3 emissions — redesigning logistics, optimizing manufacturing processes, and integrating renewable energy sources. Our goal was not only to propose green solutions but also to ensure financial feasibility and long-term scalability.
It was fascinating to balance environmental impact with practical business constraints, and the discussions our team had were some of the most intellectually stimulating moments of the competition.
Schneider Electric: ESG Deployment on a Global Scale
The second challenge of the day, presented by Schneider Electric, focused on developing a global deployment strategy for CSR and ESG initiatives while allowing for local market adaptation.
Our team proposed a phased approach that involved stakeholder mapping, region-specific ESG playbooks, and a real-time impact monitoring dashboard.
I’m proud to share that our solution earned us a 6th place finish in this challenge, which was a huge morale boost given the caliber of competing teams.
Incept Sport: Launching a Premium Fitness Product
We kicked off the second day with a marketing and go-to-market challenge from Incept Sport. The task: conceptualize and launch a premium fitness product specifically designed for the French market.
We conducted rapid market research, identified key consumer segments, and proposed a product positioning strategy emphasizing wellness, premium quality, and community engagement. Our campaign idea included premium segment partnerships and experiential marketing events aimed at capturing early adopters.
BNP Paribas: ESG Risk Assessment in the Investment Portfolio
The last challenge came from BNP Paribas and required us to evaluate the ESG performance of their aluminum sector investments.
Our team developed a scoring model that assessed environmental, social, and governance risks and proposed actionable steps for aligning the portfolio with net-zero targets.
This challenge was rewarding — our solution placed 5th overall, a testament to our detailed analysis and strategic foresight.
What made the HEC Business Game truly special was not just the complexity of the challenges, but the energy, diversity, and collaboration among participants.
Working with students from around the world, each bringing unique perspectives and approaches, was incredibly enriching. The competition pushed us to think globally while solving locally, blending strategic frameworks with creativity and real-world pragmatism.
The fast-paced nature of the event taught me valuable lessons about time management, quick decision-making, and effective communication under pressure.
Whether it was a 5-minute impromptu pitch or a detailed 20-minute case presentation, every moment demanded clarity, precision, and adaptability.
I’m deeply grateful to the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management for sponsoring my participation and providing the platform to compete at such a high level.
A huge thank you to the HEC Paris organizing team and the partner companies — Bain & Company, Schneider Electric, Incept Sport, and BNP Paribas — for creating an event that was not only challenging but also incredibly inspiring.
Looking back, the HEC Business Game 2025 was an unforgettable experience — a perfect blend of strategy, sustainability, innovation, and leadership development.
I’m excited to take these lessons forward and continue growing both personally and professionally.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. And if you participate, be ready to think fast, collaborate deeply, and create bold ideas!
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