top of page
What is BBB?
W-KUBS aims to provide all participants with education and practical experience in the fields of management and economics through Business Black Box 2024. Furthermore, it seeks to offer opportunities for growth into individuals proficient in teamwork and communication by fostering collaboration among team members.
Past BBB
BBB 2023 with
In 2023, Business Black Box was sponsored by Apartmentary, an innovative startup revolutionizing the Korean interior market with a transparent customer experience. About 120 high school students analyzed Apartmentary’s current positioning and proposed new business opportunities and concrete action plans in the lifestyle industry. The winning team was offered a paid internship. Apartmentary executives and Wharton alumni served as judges for the competition.
BBB 2022 with
In 2022, Business Black Box was sponsored by Leferi, the first and only beauty influencer business group in Korea, as its sponsor company. About 130 high school students analyzed Leferi's aggregator business model and proposed a brand strategy using Leferi's influencers and business. The winning team was awarded a paid internship. Leferi executives and Wharton alumni helped judge the competition.
BBB 2021 with
In 2021, Business Black Box was sponsored by SSG, a leading e-commerce company in Korea. About 150 high school student participants proposed a new business strategy to expand SSG into a one-stop shop for all things related to pets, including pet products and services. The proposed solutions entailed 1) differentiation from competing products 2) specific benefits to drive consumer loyalty 3) design and development of a premium membership/subscription service. The winning team was offered a paid internship. SSG executives and Wharton alumni helped judge the competition.
BBB 2020 with
In 2020, Interojo, a leading lens manufacturer in Korea and the 5th largest in the world was selected as the sponsor company. About 150 high school students presented their domestic and international marketing and new business strategies for Interojo's brands, Astra and Freedom 380. The winning teams were offered paid internships. Interojo executives and Wharton alumni helped judge the competition.
BBB 2019 with
In 2019, Business Black Box was sponsored by NCSOFT, a top global game developer. About 200 high school students presented 1) Bufftoon's business strategy to further strengthen its competitiveness in the Korean webtoon service market, and 2) new marketing and service strategies for NCSOFT games targeting Gen Z. The winning team was offered a paid internship. NCSOFT executives and Wharton alumni served as judges for the competition.
BBB 2018 with
In 2018, Business Black Box was sponsored by YES24, a leading Korean online bookstore known for its city bookstores. Nearly 200 high school students presented their strategies for retaining online customers and attracting offline customers for YES24, which is planning to expand and maintain its online and offline markets. The winning team presented classic and trendy marketing proposals such as an online loyalty system and themed bookstores. The winning team was offered a paid internship. YES24 executives and Wharton alumni helped judge the competition.
BBB 2017 with
In 2017, Business Black Box was sponsored by LF, a fashion brand house that aims to become a future lifestyle and culture company, famous for its brands such as "Dax" and "Hazzys.” About 150 high school students presented overseas expansion plans and domestic marketing strategies for LF, which is planning to expand its market to global markets. The winning team of the competition presented trendy marketing methods with witty slogans such as "Ajea Mutjae." The winning team received a paid internship. LF executives and Wharton alumni served as judges for the competition.
BBB 2016 with
In 2016, Business Black Box was sponsored by Nongshim, Korea's leading food company known for its "Shin Ramyun" and "Shrimp Flavored Cracker.” About 150 high school students presented their ideas on how to expand Nongshim's food products overseas and marketing strategies for the success of its new product "Dressing Noodles" in the domestic market. The winning team proposed a way to integrate ramyun into various foreign cultures by building an image of ramyun that is compatible with sports and leisure activities. The winning team was given a company tour and presentation opportunity. Nongshim executives and Wharton alumni served as judges for the competition.
BBB 2015 with
In 2015, the Business Black Box was sponsored by Woowa Brothers, a startup that is enjoying great success with its delivery app, "Baedal Minjok." Nearly 150 high school students participated in the competition, which asked them to solve a problem related to Woowa Brothers' current challenge: "Propose a new business idea for the current F&B market." The winning team presented a delivery app for Chinese travelers with excellent detail. The team was offered an internship at Woowa Brothers in the summer of 2016. Woowa Brothers executives and Wharton alumni helped judge the competition.
BBB 2014 with
In 2014, Business Black Box was sponsored by the automotive brand BMW Mini and dealt with the issues surrounding the question "Should Mini Cooper merge its dealerships with BMW?" as well as the possible ways forward for BMW Mini. Around 150 high school students presented their unique ideas and feasible plans for the above question to the CEO of Deutsch Motors and a jury. The most prominent idea was for Mini Cooper and BMW not to merge their dealerships, but to use a buyback program to provide long-term loyalty to Deutsch Motors.
BBB 2013 with
In 2013, Business Black Box was sponsored by Mango Six, a F&B company that had succeeded in raising public awareness in a short period with its PPL strategy for the drama 'Gentleman's Dignity.’ Mango Six has been expanding its stores to China, Russia, and the U.S., with a fruit (mango) rather than coffee as its main product in the already saturated domestic coffee specialty store market. Under such a background, about 150 participants competed with various ideas on how Mango Six could further expand its business by discovering new overseas markets while remaining firmly entrenched in the domestic market. The students' ideas were actually utilized in the marketing of Mango Six.
BBB 2012 with
In 2012, Business Black Box was sponsored by Naver Line and dealt with the issue of mVoIP (free calling technology through social networks such as KakaoTalk and Naver Line), which was a popular topic in 2012. While government policies were in the spotlight due to the clash between large mobile operators, startups, and smartphone app-based services, the BBB participants presented various ideas on how Naver should go forward with its Line service. Naver Line executives and Wharton alumni helped judge the competition.
BBB 2011 with
Business Black Box, which began in 2011 as Korea's first Business Case Competition for high school students, was held at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, Korea, with Ticketmaster as the sponsor company. About 180 students participated in the competition, analyzing the company's current situation and providing solutions on topics related to Ticketmaster's new revenue-growth initiatives such as "TIMONNOW,’ ‘mobile services,’ and ‘leading competition in the crowded social commerce space.’ The competition was judged by Ticketmaster CEO Daniel Shin and Wharton alumni.
bottom of page