Novacap is the oldest and one of the largest private equity firms in Canada with over $8 billion in assets under management.  The purpose of the competition is to give students a chance to work in diverse teams and pitch an investment in a real-life context. Novacap seeks to identify and elevate talent that leverages different experiences, capabilities, skills, and viewpoints to enhance outcome.

Read below for further details regarding eligibility, competition logistics, and in-depth timeline.

Important Links:

Fireside Chat Registration

Attend the competition information session on October 25th, @7pm

Team Registration Form

Register by 11:59pm on November 4th to participate in the Competition

Competition Outline

View a document containing Key information about the competition

Competition Details

Purpose of the competition is to give students a chance to work in diverse teams and pitch an investment in a real-life context. At Novacap, we value diversity as it brings together people with different backgrounds and contributes to better decision-making, increases team performance, and delivers better results. Novacap seeks to identify and elevate talent that leverages different experiences, capabilities, skills, and viewpoints to enhance outcome.

Teams of 2-4 students in their second year of studies or above. Teams should consider all different forms of diversity, including but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, academic background, and past internship experiences. There are no specific requirements for diversity.

Create a presentation to the investment committee on a potential investment in a company selected by Novacap. Leverage any and all resources you may have access to (i.e., CAPIQ, Bloomberg, equity research reports, industry expert insights, etc.). Judgement criteria will be based on:

  • Content and analysis
  • Value creation plan
  • Viability of investment thesis
  • Team diversity

The selected company and further case information will be emailed to registered teams on November 5th, 2022

Slide deck should be 16 slides in length. Make recommendations on the viability of the investment and a value creation plan for the business. There may be specific or complicated pieces to the company valuation that may require more time to model out, but less important. We encourage teams to focus on the big picture and value creation initiatives. The presentation should include:

  • Executive summary and recommendation
  • Company overview
  • Industry trends, market, category overview
  • Investment merits, strength, and weaknesses
  • Value creation plan for the company
  • Transaction overview, including offering value on a debt free cash free basis, and proposed capital structure
  • Return analysis, including sensitivity regarding entry and exit multiples
  • Risks and mitigating factors to the investment risks
  • Key questions that you would want to understand further in diligence
  • One slide to explain how your team is diverse

Please also include resumes of each team member. Email final submissions to your respective campus co-hosts.

  • $12,000 split between winning team(s)
  • Dinner with case judges who will consist of Novacap’s senior management and portfolio company executives
  • Members of the winning teams will be offered to interview for Novacap’s internships and full-time roles

Timelines

Virtual Information Session

Competition Kick-off & Fireside Chat

Join us at 7pm to hear from key Novacap Executives about the competition and learn more about scoring criteria. Register by clicking on the title of this box

October 25, 7:00pm

Registration

Team Registration Deadline

Teams can register for the competition by using the link at the top of this page.

November 4, 11:59pm

Competition Begins

Case Materials & Company Information Sent to Teams

All relevant case information, including the selected company will be sent to teams who registered by the deadline. Teams will have until November 11 to submit their presentation and model

November 5

Submission

Deadline to Submit Presentation & Model

Details on where to submit the presentation and model will be given on November 5

November 11, 11:59pm

Selection

Finalists selected for in-person presentation

Selected candidates will be invited to Toronto to present their case to senior Novacap Executives. All travel and accommodation will be covered by Novacap.

November 11, 11:59pm

Presentations

Presentations to Judges in Toronto

Key attendees will include Novacap investment committee members and portfolio company executives. All travel and accomodation will be covered by Novacap.

November 11, 11:59pm