TuckLAB runs concurrently with the Dartmouth class calendar, so core classes take place during the afternoon on key weekends throughout the term. These afternoons are challenging, exciting—and full.
The Curriculum
Throughout TuckLAB, students learn how to set themselves apart by thinking differently and practicing tactful innovation. TuckLAB’s core curriculum focuses on developing skills to analyze data and make more informed decisions; effectively interact with customers and clients; and critically evaluate situations and persuade others to act. View the TuckLAB schedule to get a better sense of the delivery of this curriculum.
Business Analytics
Businesses now have access to a wide variety of data from social media, trading partners, customers, and internal activities. Increasingly this data is used to make key decisions about product management, partnerships, personnel, and organizational practices. To enable data-driven decision-making, TuckLAB participants develop skills to structure and analyze data using spreadsheets, models, and database techniques.
Marketing Communications
Businesses are becoming more customer-centric in their efforts to attract and retain customers and differentiate themselves in the marketplace. Through classes on selling and all types of marketing, participants develop the marketing and communications skills to thrive in an environment where marketing permeates all aspects of an organization’s activities.
Critical Thinking & Argumentation
Businesses operate in complex, ambiguous environments where there often is no clear course of action. Success increasingly requires analyzing these situations effectively and communicating your point of view clearly to others. Through classes on strategy, innovation, and negotiation, students learn how to critically evaluate complex problems and persuade others through effective arguments.
The ABLE Concentration
In addition to the core curriculum, TuckLAB’s Applied Business Learning and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) concentration also covers a number of topics that dive deeper into all aspects of entrepreneurship. After class, students can put their new skills to work on the Entrepreneurship Challenge.
So You Want to Work at a Startup: Learn about the entrepreneurial thinking and organizational structures that go into a startup.
Entrepreneurial Strategy: Learn how to create a value proposition, position your business within a market, and differentiate yourself from competitors.
Teamwork in Startups: Get the essentials in how to work with a team at a new business.
Product Development: Do the work associated with creating an MVP and product roadmap.
Selling and Building a Market: Learn how to manage channels and interact with customers.
Always Be Pitching: Brush up on those communication skills and learn the best way to pitch your idea, no matter what the environment.
Building Out the Business Model: Learn the essentials of financial modeling.
Final Pitches and Startup Networking: Participants join alumni and faculty at this networking event to pitch their ideas.
The Entrepreneurship Challenge
During TuckLAB, participants and their team take a startup of their own from pitch to prototype. Throughout the process, they take part in “Shark Tank”-inspired challenges judged by current Tuck MBA students.
The TuckLAB Entrepreneurship Challenge is designed for students to learn from their mistakes and bounce back to create something even better. TuckLAB participants learn to work with others and leverage their diverse: experiences to build the strongest team possible.
"I had a great experience judging the TuckLAB projects. The student presentations were very well done, some even surpassed what I hear from actual start-up pitches. I commend the excellent instruction the students receive in the program. "
Angela Smalley
TuckLAB Judge
Medical Device Commercialization Consultant, Simbex
"I enjoyed participating in TuckLAB and feel so appreciative that this amazing opportunity was available to me, and free! I learned so much and it was fantastic to get connected with professors, staff, and potential future opportunities."
Kate Domin D’20
TuckLAB is a collaboration between the Tuck School and Dartmouth’s Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship.
For more information about TuckLAB, please contact TuckLAB@dartmouth.edu.