AcademyGlobal's Business Simulation Championship: From classroom to boardroom

What if you could manage a virtual company in real time, making business decisions and understanding the impact of those decisions before stepping into a corporate environment?

Three Torrens University students have done just that! Juggling assignments and academic commitments, Liza Kunwar, Prakash Raj Pandey, and Tek Mahata entered the highly competitive and fast-paced AcademyGlobal 2024 Business Simulation Championship.

With 54 teams from 17 universities across Australia and New Zealand, team BoldStart distinguished themselves by advancing through the competition’s grand final simulation round.

What is the AcademyGlobal Business Simulation Championship?

The AcademyGlobal Business Simulation Championship is a competitive event designed to challenge university students across Australia and New Zealand. In teams of three, students manage virtual companies and make real-time, practical business decisions. The competition simulates a dynamic business environment, requiring participants to apply their knowledge of business concepts, strategic thinking and teamwork to succeed.

Participants are evaluated on their ability to navigate complex scenarios, manage resources effectively and make decisions that drive their virtual companies towards success. The event provides a platform for students to demonstrate their skills, gain valuable experience and compete against peers from other universities. Hosted by AcademyGlobal, the championship aims to foster learning, innovation and excellence in business education.

We asked Liza, Prakash and Tek about their time in the competition, their motivations for taking part and what they learnt along the journey.

AcademyGlobal Business Simulation Championship team

BoldStart was sparked by curiosity and an ambition to learn. The team enlisted the support of our academic staff and industry partners right from the start of the process. Liza and Prakash first heard about the competition from their lecturers. With our lecturers being active in their respective industries, they are aware of the opportunities in their respective fields and can highlight valuable opportunities for students – such as this competition for the BoldStart team.

Liza reached out to Tek and Prakash to form the team, and the rest is history.

Not all three teammates are on the same course. Liza is studying a Master of Engineering Management with a focus on effective engineering management practices in technical organisations, while both Prakash and Tek are studying a Master of Business Information Systems focusing on giving students the ability to plan, design, lead and verify innovative IT solutions to solve complex problems.

Armed with diverse, highly sought-after skills, the team told us how they leverage their different expertise in complex problems.

How did your respective course help you contribute and strengthen your team’s expertise?

Liza: My engineering management background equipped me to manage projects with clarity and confidence. The program's focus on business communication and market dynamics sharpened my ability to engage stakeholders effectively. My emotional intelligence and adaptive leadership skills also enabled me to lead with empathy, balancing initiative with empowerment to create a collaborative team environment.

Prakash: My course on Agile Management Practices was instrumental in strengthening our team's expertise. It allowed me to better collaborate with my diverse team members, improving the outcomes of our tasks. I focused on using a growth mindset paired with servant leadership to boost team cohesion and create a psychologically safe environment which contributed positively to our team’s overall success.

Tek: The learnings I took away from my Project Management and Agile Project Management units were instrumental in seeing us succeed. Personally, it helped me work effectively in a group by fostering collaboration and maintaining an agile mindset to help us navigate the complexities of the competition. Holistically, we focused on creating a psychologically safe environment that encouraged open communication and strong team cohesion, contributing to our success.

Did you observe any differences in the way you thought of your teammates?

Prakash: Yes, we had many differences in our perspectives on business strategies. However, we all shared the same positive team attitude and growth mindset, which allowed us to collaborate effectively despite our differing viewpoints.

How do you feel this experience will make you a more competitive candidate in the workplace?

Liza: I feel more confident and better equipped with essential business skills for the workplace. Through this real-world learning exercise, I’ve enhanced my teamwork and leadership skills, making me a more competitive candidate in the marketplace.

How does the AcademyGlobal Business Simulation Championship work?

Tek: The competition consists of two rounds: qualifying and the final rounds. In the qualifying rounds, each team competes against six other teams, with the winning team of each round progressing to the final round.

Prakash: In each round, you manage a company with limited resources, such as capital, human resources and raw materials. The goal is to maximise business value, which is evaluated based on profit, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction and service quality. The team demonstrating the highest business values is crowned the winner.

What was the highlight of the AcademyGlobal Business Simulation Championship?

Tek: I enjoyed the intense focus and strategic planning that went into each stage. We executed our plan flawlessly, paying attention to every detail. At the same time, we tracked our competitors closely, predicting their next moves and adjusting our strategy accordingly. This combination of precise execution and keen observation made the experience thrilling and incredibly rewarding.

What skill did you pick up or practice the most?

Liza: Resilience and adaptability. Competing in a dynamic market with fluctuating demands and sales allowed me to be flexible and make critical decisions under pressure. This sharpened my abilities in risk management, strategic thinking, and operational control, enabling me to integrate these elements effectively. I also had the chance to network with like-minded peers.

Networking with likeminded people

How did you meet each other?

Tek: I met Prakash during my second trimester of my Master of Business Information Systems in 2023, as classmates in a lecture for Microservices Architecture. Since then, we’ve had several classes and worked on group projects together, getting to know each other well both personally and professionally.

Liza and I first met at a Student Representative Council meeting on May 12, 2024, at the end of Trimester 1, 2023. Since that initial meeting, we have collaborated on various events throughout the trimester, building a strong working relationship.

How would you describe the importance of collaboration and networking at university to current students?

Liza: Collaboration and networking in university are invaluable. Networking unlocks new ideas and perspectives, while collaboration builds essential skills like managing people and priorities. Beyond these benefits, networking also enhances social wellbeing, fostering a sense of connection and inclusion. As an international student, these experiences have been crucial in boosting my confidence and helping me adapt to Australia’s diverse culture.

Are you interested in the 2025 AcademyGlobal Challenge?

Thinking about entering the 2025 AcademyGlobal Challenge? Here are BoldStart’s top five tips.

1. Do background research. Ensure you have a solid plan in place and use strategies that can set you apart from the competition.  
2. Stay open to feedback and ideas from your team and adjust your strategy if necessary.
3. Effective communication and collaboration are crucial. Make sure everyone is on the same page and working together seamlessly.
4. Conduct trial sessions to test your strategies and make improvements.
5. Invest valuable time in building a strong team and developing thorough plans.