The Business Development Lab

Turning Ideas into Global Impact

Welcome to the Business Development Lab at WPI! We're an interdisciplinary and experiential learning lab fostering innovation and entrepreneurial growth. Join us in our mission to make a beneficial impact on society and the planet.

About the Business Development Lab at WPI

Mission: To encourage students to create businesses centered around innovation with the potential to benefit people, society, and the environment.

Vision: We envision a world where every student entrepreneur is empowered to make a positive impact.

Our Goals

Introducing students in cross disciplinary teams in an entrepreneurship mindset for real life applications.
Enabling students to generate revenue/consulting fees doing what they are passionate about while learning in and out of the classroom.
Lowering the barrier to enter the workplace by allowing students to gain real life experience.

Graduate students working on a business-related activities at a table with an open laptop

Partners & Collaborators

We are proud to operate in collaboration with WPI partners, including the Innovation Studio, MassDigi, the Office of Technology Commercialization, academic schools, and labs across theWPI Business School.

Interested in partnering with the Business Development Lab?

Programs

BDL Space & EIR Mentoring Program

We support startups by providing a structured environment, resources, and guidance from successful entrepreneurs and industry experts.

AMP! Monthly Pitch Competition

This initiative supports startups that are ready for the next step, offering them the chance to present their business concepts to a panel of industry experts.

BDL Startup Summer Accelerator

An 8-week program that helps early-stage startups acquire valuable knowledge, refine their ideas, and grow their businesses.

BDL Startup Fund

An investment fund focused on accelerating the success of BDL startups, providing a bridge to larger financing opportunities.

Q&A with Rosanna Garcia, Paul R. Beswick Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Professor Garcia answers questions about the entrepreneurial culture of WPI

Frequently Asked Questions

First, you should have an idea or innovation that has been previously tested. The team knows their market and has a minimum byproduct that can be further tested in the lab. These innovations can come out of Innovation Studio Programs such as MassDigi. When you're ready to apply, you can do so here.

Teams will be assigned mentors AMP! (Advisors and Mentors Partnerships) that will help the team when developing their idea further. This lab will help your company test your idea further and implement structure to develop a improved product or service.

Once teams implement company structure, test out their ideas, and develop a high quality product or service, you can move on to funding your prototype.

Teams without concrete and minimally tested products or services are encouraged to apply. Depending on the state of the team’s ideas, teams may be pointed to the OTC (Office of Technology Commercialization) or the Innovation Studio.

Leverage WPI Business School faculty and student expertise

Small Business Digitization Services

Connect with us to streamline your non-profit or small business operations, reach new customers, enhance your digital presence, and stay ahead of the competition.

Learn More