Three remarkable undergraduate teams from San José State University’s Lucas College and Graduate School of Business participated in the 61st annual International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition (ICBSC), an extensive three-month computerized business simulation in which teams of 4-6 students compete against schools from around the world. Professor Simon Rodan, from the School of Management, provided guidance and support to his students throughout this entire simulation and shared that, “It was one of the most competitive competitions I’ve seen in years.” 

SJSU Teams and their Accomplishments:

“Ivery Sparks” (Charvi Choudhary, Muhammad Hamza, Trung Van, Veron Le, Shelly Huynh, Andres Pineda) despite not placing, the team showed their strengths in the intensive phase.

“Surge” (Jeffrey Navarrete, Stephanie Montoya Arevalos, Brody Patillo, Sanchita Satishkumar, Kiley Huynh, Lauren Jhong) placed third for Overall Financial performance and were runners up for Best Documentation (the business plan and the annual report)

“Blue Ocean ST” (Mondher Jeribi, Christopher Soto, Joshua Dzvonik, Tai Shih, Tzu-Jui Huang, Carson Severson) won the runner-up award for Overall Performance and the Best Document.

Key Takeaways and Advice 

Mondher Jeribi, who graduated this spring with a major in international business with a specialization in global operational management, shared that the collaboration within his team, Blue Ocean ST, significantly improved their decision-making process. Their diverse skill set in finance, data analysis, marketing and operations empowered them to tackle challenges with confidence.

What were some of your main takeaways from this competition?

“Collaborate effectively, learn from one another, study the game and build strong relationships. Stay alert to market-shifting conditions. This year, one surprising change was the new tariffs on foreign materials, which impacted our company’s productivity and profitability. It’s crucial to be prepared for various market scenarios and position yourself strategically regarding R&D investments. Focus on achieving greater savings to gain a competitive edge in production costs. Ultimately, the cornerstone of success in any competitive landscape is sound capital management and a strategic plan with a clear vision of market positioning; that’s where the real victory lies.”

Professor Simon Rodan with his students at San Jose International Airport after finishing the competition.

What advice do you have for other students who are interested in participating in future competitions like this?

“Establish your fundamentals early, assemble a diverse team, practice under pressure, seek mentorship actively, and learn from your rivals.”

About Lucas College and Graduate School of Business
Lucas College and Graduate School of Business faculty, staff, students and alumni consistently make a significant impact in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Many graduates have gone on to excel in various industries, with a notable presence in Silicon Valley. These organizations recognize and value the exceptional education and skills our alumni bring to their roles, making San José State University a key contributor to the region’s thriving economy. With competitive tuition and outstanding career outcomes, our college is among the top institutions for return on investment (ROI), delivering unparalleled value for money in higher education. We offer MBA, PMBA, MSFA, MSAA and MSTM degrees at the graduate level and 14 different BSBA concentrations at the undergraduate level, the largest set of offerings among the CSUs. These include accounting, accounting information systems, business analytics, corporate accounting & finance, entrepreneurship, finance, general business, hospitality, tourism, & event management, human resources management, international business, management, management information systems, marketing, and operations & supply chain management.