Beyond the Win: Reflections from 2024 BV Challenge Winners

We prioritize investing in our future. Sponsoring initiatives like the Chartered Business Valuators Institute (CBV Institute)'s BV Challenge aligns with our commitment to nurturing emerging professionals while reinforcing the value of bridging academic learning with real-world application.

This year, four exceptional students earned first place: Cedric Furman (CF), Caitlin Zhang (CZ), Muskaan Aggarwal (MA) and Sabrina Chio (SC). Here’s what they shared about the Challenge.

What motivated you to participate in the BV Challenge?

CF: I have always been interested in finance and learning how public and private businesses derive value. It's instrumental to understanding mergers, acquisitions, share prices and more.

When I heard about the BV Challenge from my peers, I thought there could be no better way to learn about business valuation than to try it out myself!

CZ: Case competitions are a great way to tackle real-world business problems and build both hard and soft skills.

How do you think the skills and insights gained from the Challenge will shape your career?

MA: The BV Challenge reinforced my passion for working in a field that blends analytical thinking with real-world problem-solving. It gave me insight into the valuation process and the satisfaction of applying theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, which I’m excited to pursue further in my career.

SC: Participating not only helped me build my technical skills but also qualities like confidence and teamwork, all of which are transferable and invaluable skills to have.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to students competing in the future?

CF: Give it your all! Find a motivated team with diverse talents and make a plan. Make sure you meet regularly to follow up on your delegated goals and give each other feedback to stay on track. Don’t just memorize it; make sure you understand?it.

CZ: Find a well-balanced workflow with your teammates and do not take on all the roles yourself. Have trust in others’ contributions. Maintain a positive mindset and wish yourself luck.

MA: Enjoy the process! Aim to do your best, but don’t let winning be your only motivation. The experience is much more rewarding when you’re focused on learning and genuinely interested in the field. Embrace each part of the challenge as an opportunity to grow and refine your skills.

SC: I highly recommend attending the BV Primer (training session) and Career Development Forum. Both offer many insights and are unique learning opportunities.

Thank you for sharing, Cedric, Caitlin, Muskaan and Sabrina! Your stories reaffirm the impact of initiatives like the BV Challenge; we look forward to your continued growth.