What Projects Are Available?
To view currently available projects, click here.  If you do not see what you are looking for, please review the list of New Ventures Enterprises and contact us to see if those companies would be interested in a consulting project.

How Do I Apply?
Please contact us with the following materials:
• The name of your first and second project choice.
• Proposed start and end dates for the project.
• Names and contact information for each team member; indicate who on the team has been appointed the "team leader"
• Satisfactory evidence of the team's qualifications for each project bid on (e.g., who on the team speaks Spanish, who has marketing experience, etc.)
• Name, department, contact information for the faculty advisor
Optional Additions:
• A copy of each team member's resume
• A statement (letter, e-mail, etc.) from the faculty advisor acknowledging that the students are receiving course or independent study credit for the work and agreeing to supervise, advise, and evaluate their work, as well as communicate and cooperate with WRI on the project
• List any additional resources the students or their school can provide in support of the project (e.g travel funds, support from entrepreneurship center, etc.)

Are There Requirements?
Yes, but only a two:
1) teams must consist of at least two MBA students; and
2) teams must have a faculty advisor.

Why Do I Need to Have a Faculty Advisor?
Faculty Advisors are engaged to varying degrees in each project from professor that meets with teams weekly to occasional mentor.  New Ventures requires this for two reasons: 1) Student teams are more successful if they have a faculty champion that supports them--when needed--academically and institutionally.  2) New Ventures needs a contact point in the case of an emergency or otherwise.  This ensures student safety and additional accountability on deliverables.

What Is the Bidding Process?
Each of the available projects will be assigned to the first fully-qualified MBA student team to submit a bid, provided that the client subsequently accepts the team.  When applying, it is helpful to submit a first and second project choice, as we cannot guarantee an immediate placement.

Do I Need to Know a Language?
Not usually, but it’s always helpful.  All language requirements for specific projects are listed and if listed, at least one team member must be fluent in that language.  If no language is noted, the entrepreneur or main contact speaks proficient English.  With this in mind, many students use this experience to brush up on their language skills and to engage the entrepreneur in their native language.

What Are My Responsibilities?
Students: Consulting teams are responsible for defining the deliverable, doing background research and developing the agreed upon content. Student teams are responsible for providing feedback on the experience to New Ventures.

Faculty Advisors: Professors and other advisors are responsible for supervising and guiding the student teams, and for helping them with problems as they arise. Professors are also responsible for providing feedback to the student team, New Ventures and the entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs: Companies are responsible for opening up their businesses to scrutiny by the student teams, and helping the students to answer questions about the business. Entrepreneurs are responsible for working with student teams on deliverables, providing regular feedback to the teams in a timely manner. They are also responsible for providing feedback to the student teams and to New Ventures after the completion of the deliverable.

New Ventures: We will connect the entrepreneur and student team over email and coordinate the first conference call.   If possible, we will listen in on the last conference call, in which the deliverables are presented by the student team to the entrepreneur.  New Ventures will provide feedback forms to students, entrepreneurs and professors.  Throughout the process we are available by email or by phone if any questions or issues arise; also we act as the final arbiter of any disputes that students and professors are unable to resolve with entrepreneurs.

How Long Do Projects Last?
Most students work with their selected company over the course of a semester and the average time spent ranges from 8-12 weeks.  The intensity of the engagement, curriculum limitations and entrepreneur availability are variables when determining the appropriate timeline.

Are Projects Available Year-Round?
Yes.  New Ventures Mentoring provides flexible opportunities that meet the needs of both the students and the entrepreneurs.  In the past, students have consulted during fall, spring and summer semesters, as well as engaging over the course of a year.

Is Travel Mandatory?
No.  Most projects can be carried out entirely by email and phone contact.  But, many projects benefit from student travel to the enterprise.

Is Funding Available for Travel?
No.  New Ventures does not provide money for travel expenses.  Travel is dependent upon student and university resources.  In the past, student groups have been very successful in drawing on a variety of sources to fund their travel.  We would be glad to share our experiences and tips from other funded student groups, but cannot guarantee success.  On occasion, an entrepreneur may be able to cover local expenses, but this must be coordinated between the student team and the entrepreneur directly.

Do I Need to Fill Out a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
Yes.  If your team is successfully matched with a project, all team members and the faculty advisor will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Form, agreeing to enter into a consulting contract and not share any information regarding the company’s business plans with persons outside of the confidentiality agreement.  This agreement, as described in the text, will remain in effect for three years after the document is signed.

How Can I Stay Involved?
Continue Mentoring: Over the course of a project, student teams grow to know and understand the needs of the entrepreneur and the business.  Often they are interested in continuing this relationship by entrepreneurs providing additional mentoring services.  This is great!  And students can continue their involvement beyond the life of the project, if they wish.  There is no requirement to stay involved and all activities are no longer coordinated by New Ventures.

Write a Case Study: Students participating in the EEC gain first-hand experience assisting sustainable businesses. Professors are able to incorporate new learning into their curricula and enrich future classes of students. Universities gain recognition for the work, which will also reward professors for their initiative, and attract better students. Student teams are encouraged to work with supervising professors at the conclusion of their EEC project to help write case studies about the experience. In this way, professors can use this new material to improve the environmental learning of future classes of MBA students. Student teams are also encouraged to share their experience with other classmates, so they may be more willing to participate in the future.

Intern with New Ventures: New Ventures has offices in Washington, DC, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Jakarta, Beijing and New Delhi that accept interns during the year on a competitive, as needed basis.  Most internships are unpaid, but we will be glad to help you work with your home institutions to secure funding.  In the past students have participated in Investor Forums, completed project evaluations, mentored entrepreneurs and mapped sustainable investors.  For more information, please contact us.

Are There Other Programs Like New Ventures Mentoring?
Sort of.  New Ventures Mentoring is the only international consulting opportunity to focus on innovative companies that provide social and environmental benefits.  Net Impact Service Corps provides MBA students an opportunity to consult with entrepreneurs in the United States, Agora Partnerships work with MBA students and small companies in Latin America, Acumen Fund has a year-long fellowship program, and Endeavor provides international summer consulting internships for select schools.

What If I Have Additional Questions?
All additional questions can be directed to:
Aram Kang
Email (preferred)
Phone: 202-729-7771
Fax: 202-729-7637
World Resources Institute
10 G Street, NE, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20002 USA