This is a contest in which teams of UMW business students tackle a specific yet fictitious business problem – last year it was to combine three California-based street-sweeping companies into one business.

The teams, which have won a preliminary competition in their business courses in order to participate, consider obstacles and solutions, and present their findings to a panel of judges. It gives them a chance to use their accumulated knowledge – in topics like mergers, acquisitions, holding companies and union agreements – along with their public speaking skills and quick-thinking.

The competition has been endowed by Andrew Blate ’04 and Craig Schneibolk of Beautiful Home Services. The 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place teams will receive cash prizes of $3,000, $1,500, and $500.