Global Entrepreneurship Lab (GEL)

Applications open October 21, 2026, and close November 4. Applications can be accessed HERE (once open).

This program is exclusive to Evening, Weekend and Charlotte students only. The pre-classes and travel dates are designed to work easily within the Executive MBA academic calendar.

The 2027 GEL Program will travel to Luxembourg and Germany! Come ready to think like a consultant, work like an entrepreneur, and experience business from a truly global perspective. Cultural highlights may include (subject to changes):

• tour of Luxembourg old city
• Luxembourg’s National Day festivities and fireworks
• Vianden Castle
• visit to the oldest vineyard and wine caves in Germany
• Visit to Metz, France
• boat cruise on the Moselle River in Metz, France

Global Entrepreneurship Lab (GEL) is a 4-credit hour course designed to expose participants to global venturing as an integral part of an international entrepreneurial venture. The course is made up of 4 pre-departure classes, and a 1 week long in-country Immersion which requires travel. Students will experience an in-depth engagement with an emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem and work with the major stakeholders building a dynamic entrepreneurial economy outside the U.S. This course is led by Professor Ted Zoller.

What will I do during the course? You will serve on a team (with your classmates) as a consultant to a funded high-growth start-up venture forming in a non-national market. You will serve as an instrumental part of the management team of the venture, working directly with the founder and their team in a global context. Your team will work with the global venture to provide analysis and strategy on the issues central to the growth and scale of the venture. Topics you advise on may include:

• Go to Market Strategy and Market Expansion
• Global Market Entry
• Capitalization Strategy
• Exit Modeling and Strategy
• New Market Penetration
• Platform Development

You will meet with your team and the venture several times in the spring (via zoom), before traveling to the GEL destination country to meet with your founder/venture in-person. When in country, you will present your final recommendations and findings in person.

Throughout the week, in addition to meeting your founders, you will be exposed to the entire start-up ecosystem of Luxembourg and Germany. This is achieved through networking events designed specifically for GEL, engaging business visits throughout the city, and face-to-face time with various individuals integral to the entrepreneurship world in Luxembourg. It’s truly a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

GEL is your opportunity to:

• Gain real-world consulting experience working directly with startup founders
• Develop a deeper understanding of doing business in an international market
• Build meaningful relationships with entrepreneurs, executives, and classmates
• Apply your MBA toolkit to an authentic, high-stakes business challenge
• Experience Luxembourg and the surrounding region from both a business and cultural perspective

When: June 20 – 26, 2027 (travel to Luxembourg and Germany)

Pre-classes: These will be held on the following evenings listed below (tentative). In-person classes align with weekends in which you would already be in Chapel Hill. Hotel arrangements and costs for Weekend and Charlotte students will be covered by the Program on the Thursday night in-person classes. The booking process is the same process used for all elective nights. If you have questions, please refer to the Electives Canvas Site or email EMBAStudentEngagement@kenan-flagler.unc.edu.

Cost: TBC soon

Where will we stay?

Hotels shared soon. You can expect 4-star hotels or higher for the duration of the program Single rooms.

What does the course fee cover?

• All group related ground transportation (bus, train, etc.) for scheduled activities while in-country
• Single occupancy at 4-5 star hotel (no shared rooms like the GIE)
• Breakfast daily
• most lunches and dinners
• Full-time guides
• Travelers health insurance (covering you for the duration of the travel)
• Entry to all site visits, excursions, and cultural activities, unless stated as optional

What do the course fees NOT cover?
You will be expected to cover some costs on your own.

• International airfare (you must book on your own in advance according to the specific day/time/location; specifics will be provided)
• Any lunch/dinner not stated specifically as included on the itinerary
• Loss of personal property
• Souvenirs or personal spending
• Other incidentals (laundry, international phone plan, internet, etc.)
• Optional activities or extensions
• Visa, if needed

How to apply: The GEL program is application based. Applications will open on October 21, 2016, and close on November 4. You can apply HERE.

Questions? Email Kaitlyn Murphy, Associate Director, MBA Global Programs: kmurphy@unc.edu

Faculty Lead: Professor Ted Zoller, bio

Staff Lead: Kaitlyn Murphy, bio