Leeds Team Wins BIG at Global AI Business Negotiation Competition!
The team compete at 1.50am UK time in the Grand Final
Leeds University Team Shines at 2025 Concord World University AI+ International Business Negotiation Competition!
The Leeds University Business Confucius Institute (BCI) team has achieved an incredible milestone by reaching the Grand Final of the 2025 Concord Cup World University AI+ International Business Negotiation Competition, finishing as runners-up among nearly 50 elite university teams from across Europe, North America, South America, Oceania, and Asia.
This was Leeds University’s first year entering the tournament, and securing 2nd place, alongside winning multiple individual awards, represents a truly remarkable achievement. The student team also took home a 3000 RMB cash prize (approximately £350).
This prestigious competition brought together leading institutions including the University of Sydney (Australia), Beijing Language and Culture University (China), University of São Paulo (Brazil), Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico), Boston University (USA), and President University (Indonesia).
The competition was hosted across November and December 2025 by Concord College at Fujian Normal University, in collaboration with the China International Business Negotiation Association and the Research Center for AI+ International Business Negotiation.
A Hybrid Global Challenge
The team takes part in a tense live negotiation
The 2025 Concord Cup World University AI+ International Negotiation Competition adopted a hybrid format, combining virtual negotiations with in-person events. The competition was divided into group matches followed by a final round, testing participants’ adaptability and strategic thinking in diverse settings.
Teams were scored on:
- Business Case Analysis
- Negotiation Skills
- Overall Performance
Participants were encouraged to make use of AI technology for real-time data analysis and negotiation strategy optimization, but were expected to indicate when and where AI was used. In challenging scenarios, teams blended their own expertise with AI tools to:
- Assess contract risks in real time
- Identify logical flaws in opponents’ positions
- Collaborate effectively to reach agreements and advance negotiations to conclusion
BCI staff wins Best Supervisor
Competitors were also expected to adhere to normal business etiquette, dress formally, and ensure negotiations focused on core commercial points while applying common negotiation tactics and strategies. To prepare for the live rounds, all teams received an online training session in negotiation tactics and strategies, ensuring a high professional standard throughout.
A Journey of Excellence
Over the past month, our five-member student team named "Team Meridian" navigated four demanding rounds:
- (14th Nov) Preliminary Round – Written Case Study: Representing an electric car company, the team produced a comprehensive SWOT analysis and an AI-generated video presentation.
- (22nd Nov) Round 1 – Live Negotiation: Once again representing the electric car company case, Leeds competed via video conference against Minzu University of China and secured a decisive win.
- (6th Dec) Round 2– Live Negotiation: Facing the prestigious Beijing Language and Culture University, the team represented Scottish whisky interests and triumphed again.
- (7th Dec) Grand Final: Held at Concord College of Fujian Normal University, the final took place in the early hours of Sunday, 7th December (1:50 AM UK time). Leeds negotiated against University of Sydney on the hypothetical location for the 2026 Concord Cup. Despite the time zone challenge, our team delivered an outstanding performance, earning a valiant second place.
I loved exploring complex business scenarios, crafting negotiation strategies, and seeing how global minds come together to solve challenges. Being part of this competition has strengthened my passion for international business and negotiation even more.
Individual Honours
In addition to the team’s success, Leeds University proudly celebrated individual awards:
- Outstanding Negotiator: Rakib Hossain
- Best Negotiator: Joseph Taylor
- Best Supervisor: Jack Popplewell and Xiaolong Liu
Meet the Team
From left to right:
- Karishma IV – MBA
- Aleks Malecki – BA Business Management
- Yilu Hu – MA Culture, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
- Joseph Taylor – BSc Physics
- Rakib Hossain – MSc Business Analytics & Decision Sciences
This experience has been exceptional and has significantly expanded my global perspective. I will continue to build upon the negotiation skills I’ve acquired as I pursue future professional opportunities.
A Historic First
This marks the first time Leeds University has entered the Concord Cup World University AI+ International Negotiation Competition, a competition that has grown over the past 20 years into China’s preeminent business negotiation competition. Our success demonstrates Leeds University’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence on the world stage.
The event was covered by the press, a video report on Southeast TV here and on China News here.
More photos from the event can be found here