UA Finance Majors Gain Real-World M&A Experience at ACG Cup Competition

A group of finance majors from The University of Akron College of Business recently put their classroom knowledge to the test by competing in the ACG Cup®, a nationally recognized case study competition focused on mergers and acquisitions, investment banking, financial advisory and private equity. Representing the College of Business in the competition were students Mason Dexter, Anthony Johnson, Pramash Tamang, Paul Colon and Nenad Jovic.

Held on January 23, 2026, at the KeyBank Building in downtown Cleveland, the regional competition brought together students from 19 universities, including The University of Akron, Case Western Reserve University, the University of Cincinnati, The Ohio State University, Ohio University and Cleveland State University.

Designed to simulate real-world dealmaking, the ACG Cup challenges students to analyze a complex business case and present valuation, capital markets, and M&A strategic recommendations to a panel of seasoned M&A professionals from the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG). Through a series of intra-school and regional competitions, students gain hands-on exposure to the fast-paced world of corporate growth and transaction advisory.

For UA students, the experience offered an opportunity to apply financial concepts learned in the classroom while strengthening presentation, storytelling, teamwork, and networking skills – critical competencies for careers in finance.

“Participating in the ACG Cup gave me hands-on experience applying valuation techniques and strategic thinking in an M&A context,” said finance planning and financial management major, Mason Dexter. “It reinforced how important clear storytelling is when presenting complex financial analysis.”

Participation in the ACG Cup provides students with meaningful access to M&A professionals, real-world financial experience, and resume-building opportunities, while also introducing them to one of the nation’s premier corporate growth communities. The competition annually distributes more than $200,000 in scholarships and awards and serves as a launchpad for the next generation of finance and dealmaking professionals.

“It was unlike anything I’d done before, and in just two weeks I learned more than I ever expected,” added Mason.

Through experiences like the ACG Cup, The University of Akron College of Business continues to connect students with experiential learning opportunities that prepare them to succeed in today’s competitive financial landscape.

Story by CoB Marketing.