The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre congratulates a group of students from the School of Economics and Management for winning the Global First Prize at the 16th PwC “24H” Business Challenge on 18 May 2025.
The PwC “24H” Business Challenge is an annual case analysis competition hosted by Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) since 2010. This year, it attracted top undergraduate and graduate teams from institutions such as Peking University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, Australian National University, University of New South Wales, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen).
The competition challenges participants to solve a real-life business problem presented by a panel of industry-leading professionals. Within 24 hours, teams are required to read the brief, develop innovative solutions, analyze potential risks and mitigation strategies, and deliver their outcomes collaboratively.
In the final round, Wu Yucan and Xia Yuanqi (both from BMgt in Accounting) partnered with two students from Fudan University and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics to win the Global First Prize. Their winning proposal combined strategic storytelling, led by Wu Yucan, and financial and risk analysis, led by Xia Yuanqi, to design omni-channel strategies aimed at boosting profitability for a luxury brand.
“In the final presentation, I gained a profound appreciation for the importance of pitching techniques,” said Xia Yuanqi, “The judges’ insightful feedback was invaluable, making this competition an exceptionally rewarding experience. Their guidance helped me refine my ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively, a skill I will carry forward in future challenges.”
“During those intense 24 hours, my teammates and I stayed on constant WeChat calls, always online and in sync. We had a clear division of work: Yuanqi focused on finance and risk, I worked on strategy and innovation models, and the other two teammates supported us with content development and visual delivery. We trusted each other completely, and that trust made everything possible,” said Wu Yucan.
Xia Yuanqi also stated that winning the PwC competition significantly strengthened her confidence in collaborating with teammates. She believes that with mutual encouragement and persistent effort, all challenges can be overcome. This experience has not only honed their professional skills but also reinforced the power of teamwork and determination.
