I-CERI 2026 · 27 – 28 October 2026

Global Bizwar & Coopfest Challenge 2026 (I-CERI)

Virtual Case Study Competition · Theme: "Battle of Minds, Not Just Business"

Case study competition

Enter the Global Bizwar & Coopfest Challenge

Build a high-quality business case from a real entrepreneurship issue, and defend it. Two tracks — Teaching Case and Research Case — covering technology-driven and sustainability-oriented business practice, with cash prizes and a route into the challenge proceedings and IJECS.

One competition, two halves

The 2026 edition runs the Global Bizwar Challenge and COOPFEST 2026 together. You enter through one of two tracks — Teaching Case or Research Case — and your case may sit in either scope: sustainable business and entrepreneurship, or cooperatives. Each half has its own set of awards. The whole competition runs virtually, inside the hybrid I-CERI 2026 conference held 27 – 28 October 2026.

What the challenge sets out to do

  • Promote high-quality case development in business and entrepreneurship
  • Encourage evidence-based analysis of contemporary organisational and entrepreneurial issues
  • Strengthen case-based teaching, research and knowledge dissemination
  • Provide international exposure for academics, researchers and students
  • Encourage innovation, sustainability and practical solutions to real-world challenges
  • Build a repository of quality Teaching Cases and Research Cases

Prizes

Awards & Prizes

Bizwar

Main Awards

Best Teaching Case RM300 & Certificate
Best Research Case RM300 & Certificate

Special Awards

Best Innovation & Impact RM100 & Certificate
Best Evidence-Based Case RM100 & Certificate
Best Sustainability Case RM100 & Certificate
Best Entrepreneurship Case RM100 & Certificate

Gold, Silver and Bronze — certificate only.

Coopfest

Main Awards

1st Place RM200 + e-Certificate
2nd Place RM150 + e-Certificate
3rd Place RM100 + e-Certificate

Special Awards

Best Presenter

Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Publication

Accepted extended abstracts will be considered for inclusion in the Global Bizwar & Coopfest Challenge 2026 Proceedings and The International Journal of Entrepreneurship Case Study (IJECS), subject to compliance with submission requirements and editorial review.

Tracks

Two Tracks to Enter

Choose one track when you register. Each has its own submission set — see Submission Templates for the official formats.

Teaching Case Track

Submit

  • Extended abstract
  • Teaching case poster

Research Case Track

Submit

  • Extended abstract
  • Research case poster

Who can join

  • Academicians & researchers
  • University & college students
  • Postgraduate & undergraduate students
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Industry practitioners
  • Government & agency officers
  • Professionals
  • International participants

Individual and team participation is accepted.

Scope

What your case can be about

Two scopes run side by side. Pick whichever fits your case.

Scope Bizwar: Sustainable Business and Entrepreneurship

  • Entrepreneurship & Retail Innovation
  • Technology & Digital Transformation
  • Sustainability & Green Economy
  • Social & Community-Based Entrepreneurship
  • SME Development
  • Agriculture & Food-Based Entrepreneurship
  • Creative Industry & Digital Economy
  • Tourism & Hospitality Entrepreneurship
  • Language & Social Sciences
  • Digital Education & e-Learning
  • Engineering
  • Technology
  • AI
  • Robotics

Interdisciplinary cases are welcome.

Scope Coopfest: Towards Sustainable Cooperative

  • Business
  • Accounting
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Management
  • Economics
  • Business Technology

Process

How to Enter

Seven steps, from choosing your track to the award ceremony.

  1. 1

    Choose your track

    Teaching Case or Research Case.

  2. 2

    Register online

    Through the participant registration form.

  3. 3

    Receive notification of acceptance

    10 October 2026.

  4. 4

    Pay and prepare

    Make payment, then prepare your extended abstract and poster using the official templates.

  5. 5

    Submit

    Final poster, extended abstract and proof of payment by 20 October 2026.

  6. 6

    Judging

    20 – 27 October 2026.

  7. 7

    Winner announcement

    28 October 2026, at the award ceremony.

Schedule

Important Dates

Call for Participation Opens 1 September 2026
Registration Deadline & Notification of Acceptance 10 October 2026
Payment, Final Poster & Extended Abstract 20 October 2026
Evaluation by Judges 20 – 27 October 2026
Winner Announcement & Award Ceremony 28 October 2026

Registration closes 10 October 2026.

Submission

Submission Templates

Use the official templates below for your submission. Download, fill in your case, and submit through the Case Submission form.

DOCX · 34 KB

Extended Abstract Template

13-section structure from case synopsis and hook through to the central dilemma, exhibits, learning objectives, discussion questions and ethics statement. Times New Roman 12 pt, A4, APA 7th.

Download DOCX ↓

PPTX · 545 KB

Case Study Poster Template

A1 portrait (23.4 × 33.1 in) single-slide layout with 13 pre-labelled blocks: case hook, protagonist, timeline, method, ethics, dilemma, exhibits, alternatives, analytical lens, learning objectives, teaching value, decision criteria and references/QR.

Download PPTX ↓

Use the official formats above for both tracks. The case must end at the decision point.

Register

Three forms, depending on why you are here

Registration, case submission and jury sign-up each have their own form. They open in Google Forms — no login required.

Participant Registration Open form →
Case Submission Open form →
Jury Registration Open form →

Questions? Contact iceri.geric@umk.edu.my or the secretariat, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nurnaddia Nordin (naddia.n@umk.edu.my).

See fee amounts on the Participation page, or read the FAQ.

Organised by Global Entrepreneurship Research and Innovation Centre (GERIC) · ANGKASA-UMK Research Academy (AURA) · Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK).

Poster

Challenge Poster

Global Bizwar & Coopfest Challenge 2026 poster

Click to view full-size

I-CERI 2026

© 2026 Pusat Penyelidikan Keusahawanan dan Inovasi Global (GERIC), Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK). All rights reserved.

27 – 28 October 2026 · Universiti Malaysia Kelantan · Hybrid (physical + online via Zoom)

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