Harnessing the power of problem analysis

The Problem Lab identifies and understands important problems to create innovations with disruptive economic and social consequence. We help established organizations, newly created ventures, and aspiring entrepreneurs recognize obstacles.

Students

Are you interested in entrepreneurship, a problem, or developing your research and analysis skills? Learn how to examine a problem from many different perspectives at an event, workshop, or competition. 

External partners

Businesses, non-profit organizations, charities, and public agencies seek our assistance with problem analysis. Faculty and staff can conduct the analysis, supervise a student team to do so, or help partners create their own analyses.

 

News

  1. Nov. 30, 2020Congratulations to the winners of the Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch
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    This semester’s finalists demonstrated a deep understanding of important commercial problems affecting multiple industries - from the effects of lunar dust on space missions to sustainability in the e-commerce fashion industry.  

  2. Nov. 23, 2020Fall 2020 Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch Finalists Announced

    To be a successful entrepreneur, it is essential that you find an important problem to solve, and thoroughly understand its scope, scale, and history. That’s why the Problem Lab hosts the Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch Competition, where teams of students are tasked with the challenge of identifying important industry problems and conducting research, before pitching their findings for the chance to win a share of up to $30,000 in funding.

  3. Oct. 22, 2020Problem Pitch winner Scope Photonics competes for the James Dyson Award
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    Scope Photonics has been recognized as one of the top 20 James Dyson Award entries in the world, competing for the top prize selected by James Dyson himself.

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Blog

  1. Sep. 11, 2020The Problem with Recessions: Businesses Should Continue to Innovate
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    The price for a long run bull market has finally come. Since the spread of COVID-19 this year, most countries have had a devastating blow to their economies. This current global economic contraction is expected to be the worst since the Great Depression.

    What does the current recession mean for new start-ups and mature companies?

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