Introducing the Analytics, Consulting and Technology (ACT) Rice x Bain Case Competition

What does it take to develop a winning business strategy? In February, undergraduates put their skills to the test at the first-ever ACT Rice x Bain Case Competition.

Hosted by the newly founded Analytics, Consulting and Technology (ACT) club, the competition united undergraduate students for a week-long, high-stakes business challenge in partnership with Bain & Company. Organized by Joyce Zhang ’26, Laura Li ’26, Alexandre Cantin ’26 and Erica Friedman ’25, the inaugural event welcomed 32 students, eight teams, four Bain mentors, two judges and one winning team from Rice University. 

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Pinning Down the Win

During the competition, each team partnered with an experienced Bain consultant to solve a simulated business challenge based on real-world issues: How could “Fashion Co.,” a fictional fast fashion brand, adapt to shifting consumer demand for more eco-friendly practices?

We asked the winning team to  share their tips and insights for tailoring the perfect strategy. The team featured Rice students Kavya Narang ’27 (business finance, cognitive science and data science), Diya Vettical ’27 (business and data science), Lucy Cai ’27 (business finance, cognitive science and data science) and Emma Berdou ’27 (electrical and computer engineering and business). Here’s what they said.

Q: What motivated you to participate in the competition?
A: Our team was excited to participate because it gave us a unique opportunity to tackle a real-world business problem at a high level. This competition was a great way to push ourselves, gain hands-on experience, connect with professionals in the industry and test our skills in a competitive setting.

Q: How did you prepare for the competition? 
A: We focused on sharpening our problem-solving approach by practicing case frameworks and studying similar companies, as well as refining our communication and presentation skills. We had each participated in a case competition before, but we prioritized adapting and learning from one other.

Q: What was your biggest takeaway from the experience?
A: Our biggest takeaway from this experience was how important it is to all be on the same page. Before we began strategizing, we spent a lot of time talking through our ideas — and when our methods were questioned, we were all prepared to explain our decisions. Ultimately, this early work helped us stand out and develop a winning strategy.

Q: What was the most important factor in your success?
A: We each made a commitment to the competition and were willing to make compromises — which meant finding time to work together during even the busiest weeks.

Q: How has winning the competition impacted your goals?
A: Winning made us more confident about pursuing team-based strategy roles, and the ACT case competition also opened doors to numerous potential mentorship and job opportunities.

ACT Today, Lead Tomorrow

Founded just three years ago, ACT is already making a lasting impact by offering students hands-on learning opportunities — no matter their field of study. As the undergraduate programs at Rice Business continue to grow, the organization is equipping students with the skills, experience and network for successful careers in consulting through events like the ACT Rice x Bain Case Competition.

“This opportunity allowed us to be creative and competitive at the same time,” shared the competition winners. “That made us even more excited to begin our careers in consulting.”