Howard Team Wins $1 Million in Market Madness Competition

Washington, D.C. — Five students from Howard University recently won the Goldman Sachs Fifth Annual Market Madness Competition, earning a $1 million grant for their school. The team members include Keyla Arrechea, Jordan Atkins, Aaron Harrison, Kadijah Mansaray, and Jada Rabun. They competed against students from 11 other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Starting the program with limited experience in college, the team quickly developed strong collaboration skills. ‘We knew coming in that we wanted to win,’ Rabun said. Their commitment to success paid off after they proposed launching adaptive athletic wear for people with disabilities, aiming for a rollout at Dick’s Sporting Goods before the 2026 Paralympics.

The competition involved crafting a business solution to increase revenue for Amer Sports, a global company with nearly $5.2 billion in revenue. The Howard team was the only group to suggest a product launch, focusing on accessibility. ‘It was about selling an experience,’ Harrison said.

The students had to navigate two virtual rounds before presenting their final pitch in New York. They performed in-depth analyses including financial forecasting and risk assessment. Their preparation at Howard’s School of Business rigorously prepared them for the intense competition.

<p'Our curriculum prepared us for this since project work and presentations are part of our regular training,' Rabun added. The group also credits their diverse backgrounds as a strength, contributing different perspectives and ideas.

Each member has ambitions beyond the classroom. Harrison aims to work in athlete branding, while Mansaray wants to establish a private equity firm. Rabun and Arrechea are exploring investment banking and tech opportunities, respectively. They all share a commitment to giving back to their communities.

‘You can really make a difference in your community through business,’ said Atkins. His summer internship with Blackstone Wealth Management represents their drive to succeed not just for themselves, but for those around them.