The TI:GER Program (Technology Innovation: Generating Economic Results) at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business merges classroom instruction, technology innovation projects, and practical, real-world experiences. It brings together MBA and Ph.D. students who collaborate in teams to develop their entrepreneurial ideas into impactful technology innovation projects.
Meet Theodore Loles, a Full-time MBA student and strategic entrepreneur.
What is your concentration?
TI:GER and Accounting.
How did you find out about the TI:GER program?
I first discovered the TI:GER program while researching MBA programs. It stood out immediately as the crown jewel of Scheller’s program. After speaking with several TI:GER alumni and current students, it became clear just how impactful the experience was, both in terms of skill-building and in shaping their entrepreneurial mindset.
What made you decide to enroll in the program?
TI:GER was one of the main reasons I chose the Scheller College of Business. As an entrepreneur and experiential learner, I wanted more than just rigorous academia; I wanted the chance to apply those concepts in a hands-on setting. TI:GER offered exactly that, giving me the opportunity to work alongside cutting-edge researchers and fellow MBAs to explore the real-world commercialization of emerging technologies. It aligned perfectly with my goals for the MBA.
What were your major responsibilities when working on a TI:GER project?
TI:GER is built around a structured, research-driven commercialization process outlined in Bill Aulet’s “Disciplined Entrepreneurship” and taught by the brilliant Dr. Jonathan Giuliano. I was fortunate to collaborate with an exceptional team, including Ph.D. candidates Salma Soliman, Utkarsh Thackre, and Sylvester Iro, as well as fellow MBA Liana Ruiz.
During the spring semester, our team worked through steps 0 to 13 in “Disciplined Entrepreneurship,” starting with defining the problem and proposed solution, conducting market segmentation, selecting a beachhead market, developing a persona, conducting several customer interviews, and quantifying our value proposition.
That process culminated in a preliminary go-to-market strategy grounded in real-world research. Our specific project focused on commercializing AI agents designed to assist technicians who rely on complex equipment manuals in commercial and industrial environments. The core idea stemmed from my own entrepreneurial experience, and I helped steer the direction of the project and deliver our final presentation.
What do you consider to be your major takeaways from being in the program?
One of my biggest takeaways from TI:GER was learning how to gather meaningful, actionable data through field research. Getting out and engaging with potential customers is a critical entrepreneurial skill, and TI:GER offered a structured framework that strengthened my ability to gather and apply customer insights.
I also came away with a deeper appreciation for the level of planning, testing, and iteration that should go into a venture before a single dollar is spent or raised. As a young entrepreneur, it was eye-opening to see how much more effective a venture can be when its thesis is grounded in real-world research and data. TI:GER gave me a clear roadmap for how to approach that vital early-stage work with discipline and structure.
Can you describe how your experience might enhance your career after graduating?
The experience I gained and the tools I developed through TI:GER are already influencing how I approach challenges in my career. As someone with an entrepreneurial background, I often relied on intuition and adaptability, but TI:GER provided structure and discipline to evaluate the viability of a business or technology. It sharpened my ability to pressure-test ideas and helped me adopt a more data-driven mindset when making key decisions. Regardless of where my career takes me, the frameworks and habits I developed through TI:GER will remain a vital part of my decision-making toolkit.
Would you recommend the program to others? If so, why?
Absolutely. My experience with TI:GER has fully lived up to its reputation as a rigorous but rewarding program. While it’s rightly seen as a great fit for aspiring entrepreneurs, the value of TI:GER extends well beyond that. The program teaches you how to think critically about innovation and evaluate ideas through structured analysis. Whether you're launching a startup, joining an early-stage team, or pursuing a more traditional corporate role, the skills developed through TI:GER are highly transferable and incredibly relevant.