Course Title
Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets: Cuba
Professor
Ramon Lecuona Torras
Clinical Professor of Business Administration
Date
March 2026
Destination Cities
Havana
Course Description
After years of restricting private enterprise, the Cuban government recently permitted self-employment and privately held small- and medium-sized businesses. In this GIX, which has elements of a practicum, students will collaborate with a local entrepreneurial organization supporting high-potential ventures, including businesses developing services similar to DoorDash and Uber, adapted to Cuba’s unique economic environment. Students will be divided into teams focusing on healthcare, financial services, retail, or education. They will apply Core Strategy frameworks to real-world business challenges faced by the businesses, helping them refine their strategies. More importantly, students will help entrepreneurs refine their pitches for potential investors. The initial days of the GIX will focus on understanding the broader economic and business context of the host country. The following days will be dedicated to fieldwork, with participants engaging directly with startups to analyze their Value Net, including customers, suppliers, and key partners. The final days will be spent synthesizing insights. Of course, there will also be time to engage in enjoying the best that the country has to offer.