UConn School of Business
LBO Case Competition
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LBO Case Overview

Research the Company, Build the Case

Learn how the case works, check the target rules, and find the UConn research tools available to students.

How It Works

How Students Build the LBO Case

A leveraged buyout (LBO) uses a mix of debt and equity to acquire a company. Students research a company, build and test the transaction, and make a recommendation.

  1. Evaluate the Company

    Study the business, industry, financial performance, cash flow, and risks to decide whether it could work as an LBO target.

  2. Build and Stress Test the Transaction

    Use the competition model to test the purchase price, financing, operating performance, downside risks, and investor returns.

  3. Explain and Defend the Recommendation

    Use the research and model results to make a clear recommendation, respond to feedback, and defend the case.

Target Eligibility

Choose an Eligible Public Company

Check these eligibility rules before researching a company.

  1. Public Company and Size

    Choose a public company with a current market enterprise value between $500 million and $10 billion.

  2. Excluded Sectors

    Exclude utilities, commodities companies, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and highly regulated sectors.

  3. Capital Needs

    Companies with high capital needs qualify only if public information shows they can service debt and fund ongoing capital spending.

UConn Library Resources

UConn Research Platforms

Use these UConn Library tools to research companies, comparable deals, valuation, financing, and private markets.

Public Companies

S&P Capital IQ

Screen public companies and research peers, valuations, and available analyst estimates.

Open through UConn

Deals and Sponsors

PitchBook

Research private equity firms, investors, funds, and completed deals.

Open through UConn

Private Markets and Credit

Preqin Pro

Research private equity, private debt, market conditions, and benchmarks.

Open through UConn

Library Access

Use UConn Library Resources Off Campus

Start with the UConn Library link. When you're away from campus, you may need your UConn NetID and Duo.

Get Access Help

Next Steps

Plan for the Competition

Review the Fall 2026 schedule.

View the Schedule Application Information