A team of high-achieving Griffith Business School students has earned international recognition, placing among the Top 10 Finalists at Harvard University’s Global Case Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious finance competitions for university students.

Competing against more than 1,000 teams from leading universities across the world, including Stanford, the London School of Economics, and Harvard itself, the Griffith team, aptly named the Kangaroo Capitalists, represented Australia with distinction. Their submission, Fuelling the Future: Ferrari’s Road to Dominance, was a comprehensive pitch advising Ferrari on the hypothetical acquisition of global tyre manufacturer Pirelli.

Led by Jake Lawrence, alongside teammates Sin Yik Ong, Leyton Hilmer, Sizzan Vahora, and Thomas Skorupanovic, the group impressed judges with a professional-grade pitchbook and a suite of well-researched financial models. Their placement in the finals, held on Harvard University’s iconic campus, cements Griffith Business School’s growing reputation on the global finance stage.

“Competing against some of the most prestigious universities in the world was humbling and motivating,” said team captain Jake Lawrence.

“From advanced Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) structuring to live valuation modelling, the competition gave us the opportunity to apply high-level finance and defend our analysis in front of esteemed bankers and high finance professionals, all within a practical, fast-paced environment. It stretched us academically, challenged our thinking, and inspired us to lead with purpose.”

While the competition was a focal point, the team immersed themselves in a full program of academic and networking events hosted by Harvard. From technical finance workshops, such as a masterclass on advanced M&A and Valuation led by Danijel Lipovac, CFA , to career reflections from Grant Freeland, former Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group, every session left a lasting impression.

Beyond Harvard, the Griffith team made the most of their time in the United States. Whether it was sailing down the Boston River with students from Norway, discussing markets with future Goldman Sachs analysts, or exploring Times Square alongside peers from Germany, the team sought every opportunity to broaden their global perspective and network with future leaders of finance.

Their experience also sparked a new initiative with Jake working to launch an international student-led investment fund, a not-for-profit initiative that will recruit top student talent, offer real-world finance experience, and reinvest its returns into the student community.

“This competition was more than just a challenge, it was a turning point,” said Jake. “We’re proud to represent Griffith Business School on a global stage, and even prouder to be bringing that experience back to build something that will benefit others.”

The team’s success was supported by Dr Akihiro Omura, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, who provided mentorship and academic guidance throughout the preparation process.

“I’m proud of Griffith team’s growth in strategic thinking and financial modelling. Their initiative to engage in such a rigorous extracurricular challenge shows commendable drive and reflects our strong, competitive presence on the world stage.”