ProgramsFall 2026 Live Case Competition

Fall 2026 Live Case Competition

Program Overview
Program Title Fall 2026 Live Case Competition
Organization Paier
# of Students Enrolled
101
# of Projects Running
1 Project/s Added (of 1 Project Expected)

Program Timeline

Project Duration

Start Date: 10/19/26      End Date: 11/23/26

1 month
Collaboration Overview
About Students

The competition attracts a diverse mix of students from institutions across the U.S. and internationally. 

Participants represent undergraduate and graduate programs in business-related disciplines, including management, finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, and operations. Each team is guided by a faculty advisor who helps coach and mentor students through the competition process. 

These students are motivated, collaborative, and eager to apply academic knowledge to real-world business problems through research, innovation, and structured presentation.

Student Level:   Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Graduate Degree High School

Student Time Commitment:   Full Time

Team Structure:   1 - 5

Program Goals
  • Develop real-world business problem-solving skills

  • Strengthen teamwork, communication, and leadership competencies

  • Engage in critical thinking, data analysis, and decision-making

  • Present findings and solutions in a professional, persuasive format

  • Network with peers, faculty, and sponsoring industry leaders

  • Gain a reference-worthy experience that supports career readiness and resumes

By engaging in this live challenge, students enhance their understanding of how business strategy works in practice, while gaining visibility and feedback from sponsoring executives and judges.
Format Structure

Multiple Projects Multiple Teams
Format Title Live Case Competition
Format Description
The CapSource Live Case Competition Series is a high-impact experiential learning program that connects forward-thinking companies with undergraduate and graduate students to work on real-world strategic projects. 

Each competition challenges students to tackle a real business problem provided by a sponsoring organization, culminating in presentations of research, insights, and strategic recommendations. Competitions are held virtually, with finalists typically presenting live to senior company leadership

Ideal sponsors are companies eager to tap into the next generation of business leaders while advancing real-world priorities through creative, student-led problem solving.
Benefits For Industry Partners
  • Receive fresh insights and bold ideas from diverse student teams tackling your real business challenge

  • Gain brand exposure through website, newsletter, and social media

  • Participate in the final competition, where top teams present their solutions

  • Network with educators, students, and industry professionals

  • Establish your brand as a champion of innovation, education, and talent development
Project Modality Fully Remote
Industry Partner Requirements to Participate
Project Topics Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Budgeting, Forecasting, and Cost Optimization Data Management Entrepreneurship Growth Strategy Innovation Marketing Operations PR & Communications Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis Research & Development Research, Analysis, Evaluation Software Design & Development
Target Industries Finance & Investment
Skills & Expertise AI-Assisted Prospecting Campaign Design Competitive Research CRM Analysis Customer Acquisition Customer Discovery Executive Communication and Presentation Design Experimentation and Hypothesis Testing Generative AI and AI Agents Go-to-Market Strategy Interview Design KPI Development Market Research Persona Development Positioning Product Strategy Prompt Engineering Roadmapping Sales Strategy Segmentation Spreadsheet Analysis Value Proposition Design
Location Information & Preferences

Located Anywhere

Sponsorship

No Sponsorship Required
Compensation
Following compensation will be offered to the students:

Top-Performing Teams Split the Following Prizes (in Amazon Giftcards): 1st Place Team Prize: $800 2nd Place Team Prize: $400 3rd Place Team Prize: $200 + Paid Internships, Partnerships, and Opportunities Available!!
Other Requirements
  • Sponsors must provide a business challenge prompt (CapSource can assist with refinement)

  • Sponsors agree to attend a kickoff meeting, review student submissions, and attend final presentations

  • Sponsors receive prominent branding and visibility throughout the program and at the final competition
This is a turnkey brand-building and talent engagement opportunity—ideal for companies looking to cultivate future leaders, promote their mission, and inspire solutions to real business challenges.
Expected Time Commitment For Project Managers 2 Hours per week
Key Program Dates Due Date
Request for Proposal published

Collaboration request published. Industry Partners may express interest in participating.

Oct 05 2026, 07:30 PM UTC
Interview

Educators will begin interviewing interested Industry Partners to discuss project ideas.

Oct 06 2026, 07:30 PM UTC
Proposal Application Deadline

Final date for Industry Partners to express interest in participating.

Oct 14 2026, 07:30 PM UTC
Finalize Project Charter

Educators and Industry Partners finalize project charters, legal documents, and background materials.

Oct 16 2026, 07:30 PM UTC
Official Program Launch

We’ll find a time on this day for you to meet with the students to kick off your project.

Oct 19 2026
Official Program End

We’ll find a time on this day for you to meet with the students to wrap up your project.

Nov 23 2026

Program Timeline

Due Date
Activities
Deliverables
Status
Action
Mon, 10/12/26
STUDENT ON-BOARDING BEGINS (CASE DETAILS RELEASED)
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Instructions:
Get an early look at the Fall 2026 Live Case Competition and the company challenge you will be solving.

Use this preview period to:

  • Familiarize yourself with Paier and the competition

  • Review the high-level business challenge

  • Begin learning about the financial technology and accounting landscape

  • Organize your team and prepare for the full case launch
Please note that it will take us some time to organize you into your team. You will not be able to see full details until you are officially organized onto your team within the platform. If you've been registered for more than 48 hours without being assigned to a team, please contact jordan@capsource.io

Projects

Filters
Project Organization Topics
Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office Paier Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Budgeting, Forecasting, and Cost Optimization Data Management Digital Marketing Entrepreneurship Growth Strategy Innovation Marketing Operations PR & Communications Product Design & Development Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis Research & Development Research, Analysis, Evaluation Sales & Business Development Software Design & Development Strategic Planning

Teams

Team Name  Project Name  Team Members 
Lee Market Mavericks Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Lee Strategy Studio Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Lee Brand Builders Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Lee Value Visionaries Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Lee Customer Catalysts Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Lee Insight Innovators Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Florida Tech Team # 1 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Florida Tech Team # 3 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Florida Tech Team # 4 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Holy Angel University - Group 6 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Holy Angel University - Group 8 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Misericordia’s Business in the Front Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Misericordia’s Strategists Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
The Cougar Collective Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Core 4 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Triple Threat Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Lindsey Wilson University - Group 9 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Draper 4D Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Tour de Force Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
The Fellas' Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Lindsey Wilson University - Group 15 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Misericordia’s Team Keystone Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Misericordia’s Mercy Mindset Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Holy Angel University - Group 11 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Holy Angel University - Group 5 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Holy Angel University - Group 4 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Lindsey Wilson University - Group 4 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Lindsey Wilson University - Group 10 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Lindsey Wilson University - Group 21 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
LWU Group 7 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
LWU Group 4 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Florida Tech Team # 2 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Holy Angel University - Group 1 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Holy Angel University - Group 7 Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Misericordia’s Case Closed Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office
Catalyst Consulting Scaling Paier: Building the Go-to-Market Engine for an AI-Native Financial Back Office