The Department of Economics and the Elon Microfinance Initiative recently concluded its 2024 data analytics competition that featured teams from several universities.
The Department of Economics and the Elon Microfinance Institute welcomed teams from colleges and universities across the region to an annual contest that gives students an opportunity to engage in real-world consulting.
The 2024 Microfinance Challenge involved analyzing proprietary data from a nonprofit organization that provides microfinance services to Ugandan refugees. Over two weeks, student teams used their skills to develop insights and recommendations that culminated on April 16, 2024, in a virtual presentation to the client.
Thirty-nine students participated from Elon University, the University of Virginia, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and the University of South Carolina.
“The competition provides students with real-world challenges, enhancing their problem-solving and analytical skills,” said Emily Lesniak ’25 a marketing major from Charlotte and leader of the Elon Microfinance Initiative. “It fosters creativity through interdisciplinary collaboration and offers opportunities for professional development.”
A team from the University of Virginia comprised of Ben Kim, Serene Lu, and Lydia Kim, clinched first place and a $1,000 prize. The second and third places awarded $500 and $250 respectively, went to teams from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.