Lab Courses

You'll have the chance for hands-on learning as you face actual business challenges in lab courses.

Management Labs - You'll tackle consulting assignments that focus on strategic thinking, management and research skills. Working in teams with executives at major companies, you'll work on new product development, business strategy, and operational research. Recent Management Labs teams have traveled overseas for extended periods of time to manage projects on site. Recent projects have included work for Honeywell International and Valspar, a paint company.
New Venture and Small Enterprise Lab - You'll work closely with senior management at early-stage companies on strategic and operational projects. You'll be directly involved in helping them take their ideas to market. Students have worked on competitive analysis, marketing plans, market research, strategy development, consumer studies, pricing models and marketing messaging for companies.

Bias Power, an angel-backed technology company that has patented low-wattage power supply technology
TVCompass, a venture backed start-up developing an exciting new consumer electronics product and content services platform for the broadband, WiFi mobile messaging and interactive TV markets
Windy City Harvest, a transitional jobs program and urban horticulture production business in the North Lawndale community of Chicago
Ella Style, a home decor company featuring unique tableware from artisans from around the world
Café Too, a non-profit that helps the homeless through providing a culinary job-training program in a restuaruant setting.

Private Equity/Venture Capital Lab - You'll intern 15-20 hours a week on projects ranging from evaluating new market/business opportunities to specific issues and opportunities for portfolio companies. The classroom component features guest lecturers from private equity and venture capital companies. Companies who have participated several times in the lab include Sterling Partners, Dunrath, Duchossois, OCA Ventures, Lake Capital, Essex Woodlands, Roundtable, WHI, Seneca Partners, Arch Development and Prism Capital.
International Entrepreneurship Lab - You'll gain an understanding of the critical aspects of building a business in China. The lab consists of 10 class sessions in Chicago followed by a week-long trip to China where you'll meet with representatives from local businesses. Given China's accession to the WTO and growing attention on business development, success in this market requires both a solid mastery of business fundamentals and a deep understanding of China's unique cultural, regulatory and institutional frameworks.

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