BUSINESS+TECH
PREPARING
TOMORROW’S BUSINESS LEADERS
Business+Tech at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business equips students from across campus with the tech knowledge and skills to create a better world through business and technology
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE YEAR
The Business+Tech Center has made remarkable strides in enhancing tech knowledge and skills among students through two key programs: the +Tech Innovation Jam and the +Tech Forums. The +Tech Innovation Jam has evolved into the center’s signature event, drawing more than 200 students from diverse disciplines, including the School of Engineering, the School of Information, Michigan Ross, and the College of LSA This cross-campus participation fosters collaboration and creates a dynamic environment where students from various fields can converge, innovate, and solve real-world tech challenges together The diversity of thought and expertise that emerges from these interdisciplinary teams is a testament to the program ' s success in breaking down silos and encouraging a holistic approach to technology and innovation
Similarly, the launch of the +Tech Forums has further cemented Business+Tech’s role as a leader in tech education The forums, designed to provide deep dives into emerging technology topics, have seen significant engagement, with the recent session on GenAI attracting 500 registrants. These forums are crafted to be inclusive and appealing to students across different years and schools, ensuring that everyone can learn and connect around the latest technology developments By offering these opportunities, the Business+Tech Center equips students with critical tech skills and fosters a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, which is essential for their future success in an increasingly tech-driven world
FROM THE TEAM
Business+Tech is preparing the next generation of Leaders & Best with the tech knowledge and skills needed in today’s world so they can make the greatest impact.
Phil Brabbs Co-Founder & Managing Director
2023–2024
IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
Launched a new +Tech Consulting program pilot; the team consisted of students from six different schools
Programs: 1,308 students engaged, 160 partners engaged, including faculty, staff, industry partners, and alumni
2,514 newsletter subscribers
Social Media Followers: Instagram +700 LinkedIn +1,231
THINKING AHEAD
VISION FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR
The Business+Tech Center aims to enhance digital engagement, broaden student outreach, and expand co-curricular learning opportunities The following new initiatives will focus on reaching a wider audience and deepening the educational experience through innovative programs and partnerships.
Digital Media: shift from growing in-person programs to establishing a large digital presence using short and long-form video, podcasts, newsletters, and other content distributed through email and social media This change will help reach more students using outlets that current and upcoming generations prefer to engage with
Student Engagement: launch a new student club (called Tech Plus) that aims to engage students who do not feel like they have a connection with business or tech, but have a curiosity and see an opportunity to connect and grow their knowledge. There will be a major focus on non-business and engineering students.
Launch +Tech Consulting Program: following up on a successful pilot, the center will expand consulting projects in partnership with Deloitte Students will explore consulting, business, and tech, while working on projects with small businesses in Detroit, making a real impact on the community
Pilot +Tech Fellows: provide more mastery-level content through the development of white papers or case studies, created in partnership between faculty and students. This will give students more exposure to tech topics while providing an opportunity for faculty to share their research.
DONOR IMPACT
Generous support from Peak6 Investments has fueled the growth of the Fintech Challenge, offering more than 200 students from diverse schools and majors valuable exposure to Fintech through an action-based learning approach each year Additionally, companies like General Motors, Ford, and Deloitte have been instrumental in establishing the biannual +Tech Forums, which have engaged over 300 students, enhancing their understanding of emerging tech topics
The goal is to build a pipeline of major donors capable of sustaining and expanding Business+Tech, with the potential to establish an endowment. The center seeks contributions to support the ongoing costs of programs over the next three years or to endow key initiatives like the +Tech Innovation Jam, +Tech Consulting, +Tech Fellows, and +Tech Forums Donor support will enable us to expand existing programs and launch new, innovative initiatives that engage students, faculty, and industry in the rapidly evolving tech landscape, preparing U-M students to be leaders in their fields
The continued success of Business+Tech has been made possible by the generous support of donors, whose contributions have already had a significant impact Looking to the future, the center is building on this foundation to ensure that the programs not only thrive but also evolve to meet the changing needs of students and the tech industry.
Faculty and Staff:
Emilee Studley, Program Manager
Philip Brabbs, Managing Director
M.S. Krishnan, Faculty Director
For more information, please visit us at: businesstech.bus.umich.edu
