September 26-28, 2024 // Los Angeles, CA

ROMBA Competitions

ROMBA competitions allow students and alumni to showcase their business acumen and compete for cash awards. Check out our updated information below on this year’s case competitions. We have a new addition to the competitions this year, the Mergers & Acquisitions competition. You won’t want to miss it!

2024 Competitions

CONSULTING CASE COMPETITION

The 23rd annual ROMBA case competition, sponsored by Bain &Co., is an opportunity for LGBTQ+ graduate students to showcase their analytical, presentation, and strategic skills to judges comprised of professionals from Reaching Out’s various consulting corporate partners. All entrants must be current LGBTQ+ or active ally MBAs/graduate students.

This year’s case centers around an LGBTQ+-owned and operated small business based in Los Angeles. Once teams are submitted, the case itself will be distributed to all teams September 6, 2024

1st Place Award: $5,000
2nd Place Award: $2,500
3rd Place Award: $1,000

  • Registration Deadline: Once 24 applications are received or by 11:59 PM PT, September 5, 2024.
  • Case Sent to Teams: September 6, 2024
  • Presentation decks due: 11:59 PM PT, September 23, 2024. EACH TEAM WILL HAVE 10 MINS TO PRESENT THEIR DECK.
  • Competition Date: September 28, 2024
    • Preliminary Rounds: 8:00 AM – 11:15 AM (Breakfast and rules review run 7:30-8:00 AM, competition starts at 8:10 AM)
    • Final Round: 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
In partnership with: Bain & Company
1st Prize: $5,000 2nd Prize: $2,500 3rd Prize: $1,000

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS COMPETITION

The annual M&A case competition, sponsored by Wells Fargo, provides MBA student teams with the opportunity to experience the role of investment bankers in a mergers & acquisition scenario. Teams will demonstrate their financial and strategic analysis skills before a panel of industry experts.

Students can enter the competition individually or with a team of up to 4 LGBTQ+ or active ally MBAs/graduate students.

All entrants must be current LGBTQ+ or active ally MBAs/graduate students and be registered to attend the ROMBA conference and available to present their idea in person, if chosen as a finalist, on September 28, 2024.

1st Place Award: $2,500

  • Registration Deadline: By 11:59 PM PT, September 5, 2024
  • Case Sent to Teams: September 6, 2024
  • Presentation decks due: 11:59 PM PT, September 23, 2024.
  • Competition Date: September 28, 2024 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM PT
In partnership with:
1st Prize: $2,500

STARTUP PITCH COMPETITION

Pitch your startup to a panel of entrepreneurs and investors who will provide valuable feedback and advice on your pitch and business model. The winner will walk away with a $2,500 prize to help move their venture to the next level. Both LGBTQ+ MBA graduate students and LGBTQ+ MBA alumni are eligible to compete.

All entrants must be current LGBTQ+ or active ally MBAs/graduate students.

1st Place Award: $2,500

  • Application Deadline: 11:59pm PT on September 15, 2024
  • Finalists Notified: September 18, 2024
  • Pitch Date: September 28, 2024 1:30 PM-3:00 PM
In partnership with:
1st Prize: $2,500