We are thrilled to bring you the country’s pioneer M&A-focused business case competition in the Philippines!
In today's rapidly evolving landscape, technology continues to drive change in businesses across multiple industries. In the finance sector, technology has revolutionized the way we handle money with innovations like digital banking, cashless payments, mobile wallets, and cryptocurrency. In healthcare, technology has led to major advancements such as telehealth platforms, AI-powered diagnostics, and wearable health devices, making healthcare more accessible and personalized. Similarly, startups in agricultural technology are transforming the farming industry with smart agricultural equipment, and urban farming solutions that promote sustainability and eliminate intermediaries among farmers.
Companies worldwide recognize the need to leverage technology to navigate an increasingly challenging and unpredictable future. A 2024 Global PwC study surveying 4,702 CEOs in 105 countries and territories show that 56% of global CEOs believe that technological change is the leading driver of how their companies create, deliver, and capture value over the next three years. This also aligns with a 2023 PwC study that focused on Philippine CEOs, which highlights a continued prioritization of technology investments among Philippine companies. Notably, 75% of Philippine CEOs plan to upskill their employees in priority areas, enabling them to learn in the digital age. Furthermore, over 60% of companies are focused on deploying advanced technologies, such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence, and automating their processes and systems.
As technological advancements continue to reshape industries, businesses are increasingly motivated to reinvent and integrate technology across their operations. By embracing innovative solutions, companies can drive growth and remain competitive in a dynamic business landscape.
Therefore, we are thrilled to invite undergraduate students to participate in our ninth M&A Challenge! The 9th M&A Challenge offers a dynamic platform for students to develop and expand their skills in solving real-world business challenges across industries.
The 9th M&A Challenge invites eager students across the Philippines to compete and learn alongside other students, and tackle tasks designed to test and enhance their business acumen. Participants will work on an M&A case, analyze a hypothetical deal, and provide insights on how to integrate emerging technologies to generate long-term value for clients. The competition offers the opportunity to build practical skills and gain exposure to real-world business scenarios.
As PwC adapts to The New Equation, the firm’s global strategy that advocates for a future that is human-led and tech-powered, continuous efforts are made to help clients remain competitive and achieve sustained outcomes. For this year's M&A Challenge case, PwC Philippines was engaged by a listed firm (the "Client") to identify potential target companies that can enhance its operations with emerging technologies. The Client, a large corporation with diversified operations in the Philippines, seeks to invest in or partner with companies that provide technology services to help them achieve their commitment to innovation and efficiency.
The competition consists of three rounds: the Preliminary and Semi-Final Rounds will be held online, and the Final Round which will be conducted in person.
Each round will test your technical and soft skills as you develop and defend your solutions to various issues and challenges that may arise during a deal transaction.
Teams will be provided ample time to work on the requirements of the case for each round. In both the Semi-Final and Final rounds, the finalists will have the opportunity to present their case to a panel of leading professionals.
The winning teams will each be awarded with respective cash prizes.
Participants will also have the opportunity to attend "The M&A Skills Bootcamp", a series of webinars covering industry and financial analysis, sentiment analysis, and introduction to valuations. These seminars are designed to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills that will be beneficial throughout the competition.
The M&A Challenge 2024 will run from 03 September 2024 until 17 January 2025.
The Competition
The competition offers business students from universities and colleges nationwide a unique opportunity to gain an interactive experience with a hypothetical M&A case.
Participants will gain comprehensive knowledge of the Philippine M&A process by generating valuable insights for a client entity, reflecting the current business and economic landscape. They will also get a chance to explore the risks and opportunities of each transaction, as well as the implications of integrating emerging digital technologies into businesses.
The undergraduate finalists will present their final cases in person to experienced PwC professionals and prominent business leaders. The winning teams will receive cash prizes.
- Joining details
- Preliminary Round
- Semi-Final Round
- Final Round
- Cash prizes
Joining details
- Each participant must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at a university or college in the Philippines.
- Team members must all be from the same university and at least in their third year of any business-related course.
- Each student is permitted to join only one team.
- Each team shall have a minimum of (3) and maximum of four (4) members, and a coach.
Preliminary Round
- Teams that have signed up and submitted their work online shall be the confirmed participants.
- PwC will pre-identify the hypothetical client, specifically a publicly-listed Philippine company. The teams may recommend any investment structure for their case, including options such as minority stakes, joint ventures, partnerships and control acquisitions, among others. Teams must then select a potential target for the recommended investment structure within the assigned technology sector (the “Subject Entity”).
- Teams are required to prepare a comprehensive market and industry analysis relevant to both the Client and the chosen Subject Entity.
- Teams must utilize various analytical frameworks such as the SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, PESTLE analysis, and other applicable models to analyze both the Client and the Subject Entity.
- Teams must conduct a financial ratio analysis of the Client.
- Teams must perform a financial ratio analysis of the Subject Entity, including a commentary on key movements and an assessment of the Subject Entity’s overall financial condition based on these financial ratios.
Semi-Final Round
- 15 semi-finalist teams will be selected from the Preliminary Round, based on the specified criteria provided in the Preliminary case data pack.
- Teams will present their cases virtually in the Semi-Final Round via video conferencing. Each team will deliver a 10-minute presentation to experienced PwC professionals, followed by a 20-minute Q&A session.
Final Round
- Six (6) Final round teams will be selected from the Semi-Final Round based on established criteria and scoring rubrics of the Semi-Final Round.
- A university or college is only allowed one team to advance in the Final round.
- Teams must prepare a business case showcasing the following from the previous rounds:
- Background of the market and industry of both the Client and the Subject Entity from the Preliminary Round.
- Different frameworks such as the SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, PESTLE analysis, or other frameworks for both the Client and the Subject Entity.
- Financial ratio analysis of the Client
- Financial ratio analysis of the Subject Entity
- Teams must conduct a valuation analysis using income approach and/or relative valuation (or market approach).
- Teams must conduct a sentiment analysis of the Subject Entity or players in the industry to be supplemented by data scraped and provided by PwC (subject to the availability of data).
- Based on the previous analyses, teams shall evaluate the chosen investment scenario and provide the Client with investment recommendations and advice based on the transaction’s deal structure.
- The analyses and results from the preceding tasks shall be presented in a summary report.
Cash prizes
- First Place: PHP100,000 for the team, PHP15,000 for their college/university, a plaque, and internship opportunities with PwC Philippines’ Deals and Corporate Finance Department in 2025.
- Second Place: PHP50,000 for the team, PHP10,000 for the college/university, and a plaque.
- Third place: PHP25,000 for the team, and a plaque.
- Other Finalists: Each of the remaining three (3) finalists will receive PHP10,000.
PwC Philippines bears no responsibility for the cash prize once the cash has been deposited.
Registration
The registration period has been extended and now runs from 03 September to 18 October 2024. Information provided during registration will also be verified with the respective colleges/universities to confirm eligibility for the competition.
At the end of the registration period, the Preliminary Round case and additional competition details will be provided to all registered participants.
Terms and conditions
By participating in the competition conducted by PwC Philippines (“the Competition”), you (“the Participant”) agree to the terms and conditions below which are subject to change by PwC Philippines at any time without prior notice.
We will strictly enforce plagiarism rules and standards. All participants are expected to work independently. Using information and ideas available online is allowed, provided that proper citation is made. Any violation of these rules shall result in automatic disqualification.
Registration for the Competition is open only to currently enrolled undergraduate students who are at least in the third year of their degree course from universities and colleges in the Philippines. Each team can consist of three (3) or four (4) students from the same university or college.
PwC reserves the right to disqualify teams that are found to be noncompliant with these rules.
All registrations must be made online in the ‘Register the team’ tab before 18 October 2024, 11:59 PM Philippine Standard Time (PST).
Personal information and details of the competitors will not be disclosed to parties outside PwC Philippines.
To qualify for the Preliminary Round, your team must have completed the tasks and have submitted your entries to PwC Philippines by 18 November 2024, 11:59 PM Philippine Standard Time (PST) through email at ph_ma_challenge_2024@pwc.com. PwC Philippines will contact only those successful in the Preliminary Round regarding the procedures and other details for the Semi-Final Round.
Fifteen (15) teams from the Preliminary Round will be selected to advance to the Semi-Final Round. In the Semi-Final Round, your team must present your case virtually via video conferencing and adhere to the approved scoring rubrics and mechanics.
Six (6) teams from the Semi-Final Round will be determined to advance to the Final Round. In the Final Round, your team must complete the tasks and submit them to PwC Philippines before 13 January 2025, 11:59 PM Philippine Standard Time (PST) through email to ph_ma_challenge_2024@pwc.com.
The judging panel for both the Preliminary and Semi-Final Round will comprise of PwC professionals. For the Final Round, the judging will be composed of Partners from PwC Philippines, industry experts and business entrepreneurs. Judging will be made according to team performance and merit. Decisions made by the judging panel will be final and cannot be appealed.
The dates specified in the terms and conditions are subject to change. PwC Philippines reserves the right to change these terms and conditions at any time without prior notice.
The Final Presentation and Awarding Ceremony shall be conducted physically and in compliance with health and safety protocols. Further details on the full program will be announced during the Final Round period.
Winners from the Final Round will be made known on the day of the Final Round itself.
PwC Philippines takes no responsibility for any injury, loss or damage incurred by participants whilst participating in the Competition, whether it be negligence from PwC Philippines, the participating university, or otherwise. Participants agree that PwC Philippines will not be liable for any liability, claim, or damage suffered by the participants as a result of or in connection with their participation in the Competition.
Contact us
Follow PwC Philippines
