One of the UK’s largest undergraduate-led M&A competitions, hosted by CapitOx. Designed to fill the gap for technical, sell-side focused competitions at the undergraduate level, the Open challenges students to produce professional-grade M&A pitches complete with valuation models, synergy analysis, and strategic rationale. It has grown from a UK-based invitational to a fully international event, giving students a unique platform to showcase their technical skills, commercial awareness, and creativity in front of judges from leading global investment banks and advisory firms. Past judges have been senior professionals from, among others, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, HSBC, UBS, Perella Weinberg, Centerview Partners and William Blair.

The Inter-university competition runs every October-December. Across 3 iterations thus far, there has been 100K+ engagement, 75+ teams, 300+ members across 4 continents and 30+ universities. Teams receive a parent company, and are given 6 weeks to submit an acquisition. Teams have to produce a full model and slide deck judged for depth, professionalism, originality, and realism. The event has established itself as one of the largest and most prestigious student-led sell-side competitions of its kind, offering participants invaluable exposure and preparation for careers in investment banking and finance.