Ohio State program pairs scientists, MBA students to advance technology

May 7, 2026 - 01:47

A new initiative at The Ohio State University is breaking down traditional academic silos by pairing STEM researchers with MBA students. The program, called Future Leaders in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, or FLIE, aims to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and commercial application. Graduate students from business and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields are teamed up to explore the practical side of bringing new technologies to market.

The structure of the program is built around collaboration. STEM researchers bring their technical expertise and emerging discoveries, while MBA students contribute their knowledge of market analysis, business strategy, and financial planning. Together, they work on projects that assess the commercial potential of early-stage technologies. The goal is not just to generate ideas, but to develop actionable plans for real-world impact.

University officials say the program addresses a common weakness in higher education: the lack of communication between technical and business departments. By forcing these groups to work together early in their careers, the program hopes to produce graduates who can speak both languages. Participants gain hands-on experience in evaluating intellectual property, building business models, and pitching ideas to potential investors. The FLIE program is currently accepting applications for its next cohort, with organizers expecting strong interest from students eager to turn lab breakthroughs into viable enterprises.