May 06, 2025

Students’ Saudi-Infused Matcha Wins 3 Awards at ICBSC 2025

Five outstanding students from KFUPM’s Industrial & Systems Engineering and Finance programs have proudly represented the university on the international stage, securing three major awards at the prestigious 61st International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition (ICBSC) hosted by California State University, Long Beach, held in Anaheim, California.

Competing against top university teams from around the world, Lenah Aloraine (CEO), Maryam Basmaih (CMO), Najla Alkhathlan (COO), Shahad Altheeb (CSO), and Sereen Aljehani (CFO) demonstrated exceptional strategic acumen through their simulated company, Saudi Matcha House, which offered ceremonial-grade matcha infused with Saudi flavors.

Over a 12-week competition simulating five years of business operations, the team elevated their company’s net income from 1.6 million to 4.4 million USD, achieving a 292% increase in earnings per share and a 247% return on investment. Their exceptional performance earned them three prestigious awards: First Place for Best Presentation, First Place for Best Business Documents, and Runner-Up for Best Overall Performance. Each team member assumed a vital executive role, with Lenah leading as CEO, Maryam driving marketing, Najla managing operations, Sereen overseeing financials, and Shahad guiding strategy. One of their biggest challenges was aligning cross-functional decisions under time pressure, which they overcame through role-specific autonomy and consistent strategic coordination.

As the team explained, “Each member independently made decisions related to her role in the team, and we then met regularly to discuss how these decisions aligned with our company’s overall strategy, ensuring consistency and effective collaboration.”

Their motivation stemmed from a desire to apply academic knowledge to real-world business scenarios and refine their communication and leadership skills. Reflecting on their journey, they offered this advice to future participants: “Embrace the experience as a chance to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. Stay committed, communicate effectively within your team, and seek guidance from mentors.”