Connecting Students and Small Businesses
StUDent Link
University of Delaware students are an incredible resource for research, problem-solving, creative ideas and more. The Delaware SDBC and the University of Delaware collaborate through our “StUDent Link” programs, pairing student groups with small businesses over the course of a semester or academic year for project based support.
Small business owners have participated in StUDentLink to date*
* Data from Delaware SBDC since 2009
StUDent Link Programs
Small Business Managment Course
Small Business Management
Learn MoreMIS Lerner Technology Capstone
MIS Lerner Technology Capstone
Learn MoreBasics of Business Seminar
Basics of Business Seminar
Learn MoreSpin In®
Spin In®
Learn MoreSMALL BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT PROJECTS
Delaware SBDC and the University of Delaware offer a course in which senior UD business students work with both new and existing small businesses to strengthen operations through strategic planning and financial analysis over the course of the semester. Guided by your input and supported by SBDC Business Advisor and Professor Apryl King, students will work on your business (not just in it) helping you evaluate and strengthen your overall strategy. This hands-on experience allows students to apply business disciplines while offering invaluable help to small business owners at no monetary cost. While participation is free, businesses must meet with the students regularly to complete the project over the course of a semester.
Strategic Planning & Financial Projection Project
Students will work closely with participating businesses to develop a strategic plan and multi-year financial projections. Deliverables include industry research, a company overview, market and marketing analysis (including website evaluation, if applicable), competitive analysis, clearly defined short- and long-term goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and 2–3 years of financial projections.
Business Owner Expectations
- The business owner must participate in weekly one-hour Zoom meetings on Fridays at 9:00 a.m. during the semester, generally beginning one month into the course (Fall: Oct–Dec; Spring: Mar–May).
- The first and final sessions will be conducted in person at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE; participants must be able to travel to attend.
- Understand that these are college students who can provide assistance, but will also be learning at the same time. These are not professional consultants.
- Be willing to share business challenges, financial information, and all necessary details to complete the engagement; all information will be kept confidential through signed agreements by students and business advisors.
- Students should not be utilized as unpaid employees for day-to-day tasks.
- Limited spots are available.
APPLY NOW
If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to the SBDC at delaware-sbdc@udel.edu or by calling our direct line at 302-831-1555. Please keep in mind that we receive multiple project proposals. Given a limited number of students, not all projects can be accepted.
To submit an interest form, please click here >
Apryl King
SBDC Business Advisor
MIS LERNER TECHNOLOGY CAPSTONE
Management Information Systems (MIS) students will participate in a team-based, semester long project that explores a business opportunity or solves a business problem. The team designs and implements an operations and/or technology solution for a business or non-profit. These opportunities fall in the fields of information systems, marketing, operations management or other functional business areas. Students are mentored and monitored by experienced faculty.
Project Types
- Creating new websites, including graphics, SEO and analytics
- Automating business tasks
- Training and assessing users of new software
- Developing an integrated computer system
- Analyzing a current system and recommending how the processor functions can preform more efficiently
- Determining product feasibility and comparing to other solutions
- Identifying database or technology needs and implementing recommended changes
- Creating quality control standards and methodologies
Past Clients
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MIS Lerner Technology Capstone FAQs
What will my interaction with the students entail?
The firm’s interaction with the team will depend on a few factors, including the type of project being addressed, the proximity of the client to the University, the communication style of the primary client contact, and the time period throughout the semester. Most clients wish for a combination of face to face contact, email and teleconferences. The weight of each is dictated by the client. However, it is important to remember that these individuals are students and have other classes, so requiring every interaction to be face to face may waste valuable time. We require students to meet face to face with the client as a “kickoff” to the semester and again for the presentation of the proposal. Also students are required to present the final report, train personnel and test their solutions that are implemented.
What is the duration of the project?
The spring term runs from the first week in February until mid-May. The end date is more a function of the project than the calendar. Projects that run smoothly may end as early as late-April. Other projects have run until graduation in late May.
Ideally, the team will be able to completely implement the solution; however, implementation may only be of a prototype or involve a subset of the project. The three month time window is a relatively short period.
What about project confidentiality?
Each student must sign a confidentiality agreement. We impress upon them the importance of holding the details of the project in the strictest of confidence. We do expect and allow them to mention that they are working on a project for XYZ company and that it is for the capstone course in a particular area: however, information about the firm, its employees, it clients and its project are off limits for outside discussion. We ask the client at the end of the project to approve a public presentation regarding the project that we can share with future clients. Generally clients are enthusiastic about sharing the success of the project, however, occasionally the client wishes to remain strictly anonymous and this wish is always granted. Since the client approves the presentation, the client can require specifics to be omitted.
Is there a fee?
There is a small fee to sponsor a student consulting team. This will cover student expenses to complete the project. Please speak with Ryan Rodalunas for details.
How much of my time will I need to set aside?
The amount of time spent with the students is really under the client’s control but averages under an hour a week, with 2 to 3 hours during the first and last weeks, and periodically touching base in the middle of the semester. We hold a semester launch event on campus for clients and student teams the first week of class. During this event clients will meet their teams and plan project logistics including a kick-off meeting at the client site. After the first meeting at the client site, the team generally uses email. We also encourage the team and the organization to select a point person for all communication. on a project for XYZ company and that it is for the capstone course in a particular area: however, information about the firm, its employees, it clients and its project are off limits for outside discussion. We ask the client at the end of the project to approve a public presentation regarding the project that we can share with future clients. Generally clients are enthusiastic about sharing the success of the project, however, occasionally the client wishes to remain strictly anonymous and this wish is always granted. Often a client is very eager and willing to support the program but wishes most or all details of the project to remain confidential. This request is also honored. Since the client approves the presentation, the client can require specifics to be omitted. In the more than twenty years we have supervised projects (more than 500 projects); we have never had an issue with confidentiality.
Apply Now
Businesses should contact ryanrod@udel.edu for more information regarding capstone project courses. If you are working with a SBDC advisor, please make sure they are also aware of your interest in this program.
To submit an interest form, please visit the program page >
Ryan Rodalunas
Faculty Program Director
Technology Projects
BASICS OF BUSINESS SEMINAR
Consider having BUAD110 (Basics of Business freshmen seminar) students conduct research for your business. The students are a fresh (and free) resource with naturally digital mindsets to help your organization get new insights and perspective. As part of the class, students interact with an actual business organization in a professional capacity & complete a research project (with a scope feasible for freshmen students). With 3-4 groups of students working on each project, students conduct research and present their findings and recommendations to you, the client.
Project Types
- Competitor research
- Market segment and/or new market research
- Industry best practices
- Research how other companies are addressing a similar issue or challenge
- Other research questions!
Organizations in any industry who are excited to work with our freshmen business students should apply. The only requirement is that the business has time available to initially meet with the students, to schedule and chat with our student groups in a follow-up meeting, and to attend (ideally in-person) on the day of the presentation.
This is a fantastic opportunity to boost your organization’s visibility among UD students, mentor freshmen by offering feedback on their projects and research, and have students tackle research questions that you may not have the time to address.
APPLY NOW
In order to get started, businesses must be able to provide:
- Organization name & website
- Main contact(s) (name, email, phone number, and best way to contact you
- If you know what you want to research – great! Otherwise, additional information about scope of project, more details on your organization, etc., will be requested in late September via a follow-up
To submit an interest survey, please click here >
Julia Bayuk, PhD
Professor of Marketing Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
SPIN IN®
Have a innovative concept, product idea, or commercializing process challenge? Let an interdisciplinary team of students, with research faculty and SBDC staff, solve or recommend solutions. Teams consist of qualified students with required skill sets based on the entrepreneur’s proposal and preliminary research indicating market potential. Each Spin In team experience is unique to its goal, its plan and team size.
LEARN MORE
To review additional information about how the program works, who should participate, and testimonials, please visit the program page >
To submit an interest form, please click here >
Amalea Rassias
Sr. Assistant Director, OEIP
StUDent Link Testimonials
