Key Takeaways
- • Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business MBA team claimed the 2026 Venture Capital Investment Competition global title, competing against 75 MBA programs across 13 countries and advancing through regional and semifinal rounds to defeat teams from Chicago Booth, BYU Marriott, Colorado Leeds, Korea University, and National University of Singapore.
- • This represents Tuck's first-ever global VCIC championship, following a progression that began with winning the New England Regional competition and advancing through the semifinals at UNC Kenan-Flagler before claiming the global finals title.
- • The six-person team—Valerie Abbruzzese T'26, Olivia Greif T'26, Will Holding T'26, Jessie Huang T'26, Erica Keyes T'26, and Ethan Mulvey T'26—prepared through weekly practice sessions on live deal analysis, engaging with real founders, investors, and Tuck alumni who provided mentorship throughout the competition cycle.
- • The competition format required rapid evaluation of early-stage startup opportunities using external diligence, pitch decks, and direct founder engagement, simulating core venture capital decision-making processes under time constraints and resource limitations.
- • Tuck's Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital, led by Mark Hardie, provided financial support for the team, while faculty advisor Jim Feuille organized the intensive preparation program connecting students with practitioners in the venture ecosystem.
Summary
Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business secured the 2026 Venture Capital Investment Competition global championship on May 19, 2026, marking the institution's first-ever global VCIC title. The competition featured representation from 75 MBA programs across 13 countries and three continents, positioning this victory as a significant achievement within the global MBA competitive landscape. The championship team advanced through multiple competitive stages, beginning with the New England Regional victory before progressing through semifinal competition at UNC Kenan-Flagler. At the global finals, the team defeated five other regional champions: Chicago Booth, BYU Marriott, Colorado Leeds, Korea University, and National University of Singapore.
The six competing Tuck students—Valerie Abbruzzese, Olivia Greif, Will Holding, Jessie Huang, Erica Keyes, and Ethan Mulvey, all members of the T'26 graduating class—demonstrated competency across the full scope of early-stage venture evaluation. The competition required teams to assess early-stage startup opportunities through multiple analytical lenses, including external diligence research, analysis of pitch deck materials, and direct engagement with real founders seeking capital. This format simulates authentic venture capital decision-making, placing participants under pressure to synthesize new information rapidly, develop consensus across team members, and communicate investment theses in polished, professional formats.
Preparation proved integral to the team's championship performance. The students engaged in weekly practice sessions on live deal analysis beginning well before the formal competition, providing hands-on exposure to realistic venture scenarios. This preparation connected the team with active investors, company founders, and Tuck alumni who volunteered mentorship throughout the process. Faculty advisor Jim Feuille organized and directed the intensive preparation program, dedicating substantial personal time to each weekly session. The Tuck Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital, directed by Mark Hardie, provided financial backing for the team's participation and travel to competitions.
The team emphasized the collaborative and skill-development dimensions of the competition experience, noting that success required efficient time management across unfamiliar industries, coordinated team decision-making under pressure, and the ability to synthesize complex information into compelling investment narratives. The championship reflects both individual technical capability and institutional support structures at Tuck designed to develop venture capital competency among MBA candidates.
The six competing Tuck students—Valerie Abbruzzese, Olivia Greif, Will Holding, Jessie Huang, Erica Keyes, and Ethan Mulvey, all members of the T'26 graduating class—demonstrated competency across the full scope of early-stage venture evaluation. The competition required teams to assess early-stage startup opportunities through multiple analytical lenses, including external diligence research, analysis of pitch deck materials, and direct engagement with real founders seeking capital. This format simulates authentic venture capital decision-making, placing participants under pressure to synthesize new information rapidly, develop consensus across team members, and communicate investment theses in polished, professional formats.
Preparation proved integral to the team's championship performance. The students engaged in weekly practice sessions on live deal analysis beginning well before the formal competition, providing hands-on exposure to realistic venture scenarios. This preparation connected the team with active investors, company founders, and Tuck alumni who volunteered mentorship throughout the process. Faculty advisor Jim Feuille organized and directed the intensive preparation program, dedicating substantial personal time to each weekly session. The Tuck Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital, directed by Mark Hardie, provided financial backing for the team's participation and travel to competitions.
The team emphasized the collaborative and skill-development dimensions of the competition experience, noting that success required efficient time management across unfamiliar industries, coordinated team decision-making under pressure, and the ability to synthesize complex information into compelling investment narratives. The championship reflects both individual technical capability and institutional support structures at Tuck designed to develop venture capital competency among MBA candidates.
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