Summary
The Cross-Continental Cohort 2025 united students from 9 universities to develop strategic solutions for Bopaq, a leader in reusable packaging. Over seven days, teams worked intensively, guided by expert mentors: Cameron Welsh, Gábor Buzder Lantos, Miklós Kozma, Anna Thai, Thiri Aung, Diana Akisa, and Divine-Grace Oliver (junior).
The competition followed a structured two-round pitching process, where teams presented their proposals, received feedback, and refined their solutions. The top three teams advanced to a final round, presenting their ideas to Bopaq’s CEO, Ms. Mishel Wong, and a jury panel.
The A4, A2, and A1 teams emerged as the top three in the competition. Each demonstrated exceptional strategies, with A4 showcasing deep operational insights, A2 excelling in communication and structured research, and A1 impressing with effective competitor benchmarking and compelling storytelling.
The event showcased global collaboration, mentorship, and strategic thinking, reinforcing the importance of innovation in sustainable business solutions. Congratulations to all participants and mentors for their incredible work!
Cross-Continental Cohort 2025: A Global Collaboration for Bopaq
This year, we launched the Cross-Continental Cohort 2025, bringing together students from 9 universities/colleges to collaborate on a global scale. This intensive program ran from January 25 to February 8, with students dedicating approximately seven days to formulating a recommended solution for Bopaq.
Mentorship & Team Development
Members with a 
WCC symbol have participated in multiple international events.Â
Throughout the event, students were guided by an outstanding team of mentors:
- Cameron Welsh
- Gábor Buzder Lantos
- Miklós Kozma
- Anna Thai
- Thiri Aung
- Diana Akisa
- Divine-Grace Oliver (Junior Jury Member)
These mentors played a crucial role in helping teams collaborate effectively, refine their proposals, and align with the case study’s objectives. Their guidance enabled students to push their projects forward and craft relevant recommendations for Bopaq’s CEO, Ms. Mishel Wong.
The Competitive Pitching Process
The competition structure challenged students to think critically and iterate quickly on their solutions. The final stages unfolded as follows:
- Round 1: Each team presented their proposal to a jury panel, receiving immediate feedback.
- Iteration Phase: Teams were given 45 minutes to modify their presentations based on jury feedback.
- Round 2: Teams presented again after refining their proposals.
- Finals: The top three teams advanced, shortening their presentations from 15 minutes to 10 minutes, followed by an intensive Q&A session with the full jury panel.
Team Summaries
A4 Team stood out for their deep understanding of Bopaq’s operations and creative solutions, particularly their insights into market challenges.
A2 Team excelled in effective communication and presentation, with a well-structured approach that showcased their research and innovative thinking.
A1 Team’s strength was in thorough research and compelling storytelling, using competitor benchmarking to build a strong strategic approach.
View A1 Publication – Wang, L., Ayoubi, L., Raharimalala, A. F., & Reyes, E. S. R. (2025). Bopaq’s Journey in Revolutionizing Reusable Packaging. WXP | World Experience and Innovation Impact Journal, 2.
A3 Team impressed with practical and market-aligned solutions, leveraging food delivery apps and campus outreach for effective engagement.
A7 Team’s standout feature was a data-driven and analytical approach, providing well-researched insights into market opportunities and operational needs.
A5 Team shone in detailed research and problem identification, effectively pinpointing key challenges and developing strategic responses.
View A5 Publication – Grempel, S. (2025). Beyond Plastic: A Scalable Solution to Bopaq’s Sustainability Challenge. WXP | World Experience and Innovation Impact Journal, 2.
Watch the final top 3 teams present
 Participants List
- Alexandra Maria Boteanu
- Althea Hannahbelle Galiza
- Anh Viet My Tran
- Anna Thai
- Antsa Fitia Raharimalala
- Arina Capral
- Bianca Dinu
- Dafrosah Tuga
- Daniel Soos
- Daniela Toth
- Djessica Ndjiongue Djapoum
- Drishti Jhugroo
- Eduardo Sanjay Ramon Reyes
- Elias Baba
- Ghanou Selham
- Helen Charles
- Lina Ayoubi
- Louise Wang
- Maicel Hatwik
- Megane Pookin
- Naledi Mbatha
- Nandor Marosan
- Nitin Joshy
- Ragib Md Yasar Eunus
- Raymond Lam
- Roque David Mero Piedra
- Sasha Grempel
- Shaima Al-Gabri
- Shoshana Iny
- Tala Salim Jubran Salman
- Tommy Chang
- Trang Nguyen
- Van Anh Tran
- Wicky Wei
The Final Announcement & Winning Teams
Ms. Mishel Wong attended the final presentation day, where the best teams showcased their insights and strategies.
This year’s Cross-Continental Cohort showcased the power of global collaboration, mentorship, and strategic thinking. A huge congratulations to all participants and mentors for their dedication and hard work!
