Winning Results 61st Annual International Collegiate
CSULB Business Students Succeed at the 61st Annual International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition (ICBSC)
CSULB sent 3 amazing teams, two undergraduate teams and one MBA team, to compete in this year's International Business Competition. They worked all semester and attended the Intensive Phase in Anaheim last weekend.
Competing with teams from around the world, the CSULB teams brought home 5 trophies, including 1 for Best Presentation to their Board of Directors (judges), 2 for the Best Documents (well-written and illustrated Strategic Business Plan and Annual Report), and 2 for First Place Overall. And one of our undergraduate students, Himanshu Ladole, won the Stock Market game. Even beat out a judge for the most return on his investment. Amazing results!!! A truly life-changing learning experience.
Congratulations to all the teams for your hard work, professionalism , and competitive spirit. And for proudly representing CSULB COB. Go Beach!!
If you think you might be interested in competing next year and taking the course in the Spring, read more here and check out the website (new dates will be posted soon). might be interested in competing next year and taking the course in the Spring, read more here and check out the website (new dates will be posted soon).
Barbara Barcon ICBSC Advisor @ COB for interested students (senior undergrads or evening MBAs) in next spring's competition,n can read our ICBSC information and contact Barbara.Barcon@csulb.edu
Josh Anderson
It was a great experience being able to put all the theory that I had learned in my other classes to work. I needed to use my knowledge of financial statements, projection analysis, excel, strategy, and most importantly team management. I realized early on why it takes more than 4 people to run a company.
I am very happy that I was able to be a part of this year’s ICBSC, it is exactly the experience that I was hoping for when I began my time at CSULB. I learned a lot about myself as a leader, as a team member and about what it takes to run a business.
This experience has been so valuable to my academic and professional career, I’m sad that it is over, and I am grateful to have participated.
Himanshu Ladole
Yes, when I first heard of this competition, I had doubts about whether it was worth my time and if it will teach me something crucial and necessary to land a job on my career ladder. After going through it I now understand how much this competition teaches about your capabilities and understanding of how an actual business is run. After surviving more hiccups during the semester and getting closer with my team and learning more about them, this experience means more than winning it, which highlights that this competition is nothing without a good team that cares and understands each other.
Daniel Tran
I recommend this experience to others because it teaches you a lot of skills: technical, interpersonal and professional. We learned how to run a company, given a C suite position and sometimes more. We learned how to work together as a team and resolve issues as one as well. Lastly, we got to network with industry professionals who gave us feedback on how to improve our professional journeys.
Aidan Yager
I would absolutely recommend this opportunity and experience to others looking to build their skills and resume. While it was extremely time consuming and stressful at times, the knowledge and experience that I gained throughout this competition are no doubt going to aid me in my professional career. While the technical skills that you learn through doing this are extremely valuable, learning the most about yourself is what really stuck out to me. Through this you tend to learn what your limitations are, what you excel at and what you need to work on. This competition will also likely push you outside your comfort zone and force you into scenarios where it becomes sink or swim. The great thing about this competition is the only collateral that is put up on your end is your time, not your own money or capital. This competition allows you to reap the benefits without really any of the downside, whereas in real life a failing and not well-run company will be extremely costly. Overall, this competition was amazing in every aspect, and I can confidently say that anyone will benefit from taking part and experiencing what the competition has to offer.
Isabella Magacho
As a leader, I learned that making hard choices is part of the job, but how we make those choices defines who we are. It's about thinking beyond short-term fixes and trusting your people to work with you toward the bigger picture. A real leader keeps the team together, even when things get tough.
I realized how important it is to trust and communicate openly with your team. No matter how strong we are individually, real progress happens when everyone feels connected and supported. Working with people who are equally committed, respectful, and willing to adjust made all the difference. It taught me that being a good team member means not only doing my part but also making it easier for others to do theirs.
Most of all, I learned that success feels different when we achieve it together. It's not just about winning or hitting goals, it's about knowing that every late meeting, every tough decision, and every adjustment we made was something we faced side by side. That sense of pride and connection is something I’ll carry with me no matter where I go next.
I would recommend this simulation 100%. This experience pushes you to think like a real business leader, not just a student working on a project. You feel the weight of decisions, you learn how to handle unexpected challenges, and you really understand what it means to lead with both strategy and heart. It’s the kind of experience that makes you grow in ways you can't really get from a textbook, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to challenge themselves and come out stronger.
Yessica Bautista
The lessons I learned through this experience will stay with me as I move forward in my career. I now have a deeper appreciation for the patience, humility, and resilience required to be an effective leader. I understand the importance of listening more than speaking, giving credit generously, and building flexible and data-driven strategies. Most importantly, I saw firsthand the power of teamwork and mutual respect in achieving goals that no individual could accomplish alone. It was a privilege to serve as CEO of TwistyToyz, and I am grateful for the experience and the personal growth it inspired.
Carey Beck
Overall, this was the most memorable experience of my MBA program. I learned so much about teamwork and strategy and will cherish this experience for the rest of my life. I made lasting friendships and even had the opportunity to guide the undergrads with their journey. This class was the most rewarding class I have taken and look forward to seeing future teams run their businesses. I hope to stay involved in the competition in the future and want to thank everyone involved in making this such a success.
