The 3M Inspire Challenge

A case competition challenges participants to examine real-life business problems and present solutions and ideas. All teams will be given the same case based on their selected theme.

Participating teams’ solutions should answer the case. If selected, they will present their solutions to a live panel of judges, who will judge the solutions based on aspects such as originality, creativity, replicability, etc.

• The challenge is eligible to all undergraduate students from all courses of study in Australia and New Zealand, India, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• All teams must comprise 2 - 4 individuals and must be gender diverse, i.e. consisting of members of different genders.
• All participants must agree to a list of terms and conditions and sign a release form at the point of submission.

Participants can gain a multitude of benefits from joining the 3M Inspire Challenge, including:

• Experience: This challenge provides a hands-on, realistic simulation of today's problems. Your team will be given opportunities to analyze and make strategic recommendations on real-life strategic issues just like a real business professional. This challenge will serve as an avenue for ambitious youths to showcase their brilliant ideas.
• Application of Skills: Get the opportunity to apply the skills you have learned in the classroom to real-world experiences.
• Networking: There are many opportunities to meet and interact with various representatives from 3M.
• Confidence and Resume Booster: Winning a case competition increases your confidence in your own skills, which can help you present yourself better in an interview. You will also be able to present the case competition as an impressive experience on your resume and as a talking point in interviews.
• Prizes: The Country Champions and Regional Champion stand to win up to US$2,000 and US$5,000 cash prizes respectively, and score internship opportunities at 3M.

Registrations for 3M Inspire Challenge 2022 has ended on 3 September 2022.

Submissions for 3M Inspire Challenge 2022 has ended on 3 September 2022.

Submissions must be submitted in English. However, no points will be deducted for English language errors, as long as the explanation is understandable.

No presentation is required for the first wave of submissions. Presentations are only required if you’re shortlisted for the Country-Level Semi-Finals, and if you move on to the Regional-Level Finals.

The Country-Level Semi-Finals and Regional-Level Finals were held virtually/online.

The Country Champions stand to win up to US$2,000 in cash prizes and score internship opportunities at 3M. The final winner, the Regional Champion, stands to win US$5,000 in cash prizes.

The judges are looking for the following criteria:

• Innovation, Creativity, and Originality
• Replicability and future-proofed
• Content

During the presentation, the judging panel will also score teams based on:

• Verbal Delivery
• Visual Delivery
• Time management
• Q&A

The challenge is free of charge.

Unfortunately, individuals are not allowed to participate. Participants must join as a team of 2 - 4 individuals and the team needs to be gender diverse.

Participants can be from different schools so long they are studying in the same country.

Most case competitions happen during the school terms. Therefore, there is a chance that you may miss class. The case competition does not provide students with a legitimate excuse to be absent from class. Students should communicate with and make arrangements directly with their faculties and course coordinators.

The Country Champions and Regional Champion stand to win up to US$2,000 and US$5,000 cash prizes respectively, and score paid internship opportunities at 3M.

Yes, the Country Champions and Regional Champion will score paid internship opportunities at 3M.

The Country Champions will be awarded internships at local 3M offices. The internships are being scoped and details will be provided to winners.

No, this challenge is only open to students who are currently pursuing undergraduate degrees.

Yes, as long as you are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree, you are eligible to participate.

Yes, the team will still be allowed to proceed with the competition as long as the remaining members of the team are gender diverse, i.e. consisting of members of different genders.

For questions on the challenge that are not addressed on this website, please drop us an email at the following email addresses. Please select the correct email address based on the country that you are currently studying in.

Yes, as long as you are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree, you are eligible to participate.

Three teams from each country will be shortlisted to compete in the Country-Level Semi-Finals.

Nine teams of Country Champions (one representing each of the countries, with one winning team from Australia and New Zealand combined) will compete in the Regional-Level Finals.