Smith Online MBAs Get Real Experience in Pop-Up Challenge
Last fall, Online MBA students at the Robert H. Smith School of Business created a prototype straw-equipped water bottle that clamps to bedside furniture. The idea was part of a three-week pop up challenge in late 2016, helping develop complete “zero to market” ideas for businesses.
The students used 3-D printing technology, prior business connections and a minimum viable product (MVP) strategy to craft ate a solution for a seemingly mundane problem.This “zero to market” effort was spawned by a three-week entrepreneurship exercise and culminated in a “two-hour challenge” where students sold their products in a pop-up shop fashion.
Smith professors David Kirsch, David Kressler, Azi Gera and Brent Goldfarb helped guide the students along the way. Goldfarb told the Smith School that the students were able to get “ out of their comfort zones and actually experienced entrepreneurship in a tangible way.”
One of the groups who found success was comprised of Vince Sines, Issac Meyer, Allison Urrfer and David Deitsch. “We sold 14 units in two hours for a $270 profit,” Sines says. “Our price point was $19.99 and we passed on the cost of shipping. Our only COGS (cost of goods sold) was the PayPal fee for each sale.”
Another group—made up of Anne Hunte, Seth Baab, Colin O’Brien and Beau Crabb—featured a ‘Feds Shop for You’ service with a budget of only $5-per-founder.
“Developing our idea in a limited (three week) time-frame with a large number of deliverables due in short order was extremely difficult,” O’Brien said in an interview. “It forced myself and my partners to be especially organized and develop a broad and flexible framework for the company.”
According to Professor Goldfarb, students also improved their organization and communication skills, “and realized that it is okay to leave one’s pride at the door when fighting for a good grade in school.”
Read more about the Pop-Up Challenge here.
About the Author
Max Pulcini
Max Pulcini is a Philadelphia-based writer and reporter. He has an affinity for Philly sports teams, Super Smash Bros. and cured meats and cheeses. Max has written for Philadelphia-based publications such as Spirit News, Philadelphia City Paper, and Billy Penn, as well as national news outlets like The Daily Beast.
