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 Ting Chen, an Evening MBA student and senior research scientist at Kemira.
What is your concentration?
Currently, it is Strategy and Innovation. I am also working to complete the requirements for the Sustainability concentration so that I can gain expertise from both concentrations to excel in what I do in the future.
How did you find out about the TI:GER program?
I found the TI:GER program on Scheller’s website during my MBA application process. During a networking event at Scheller, I got to meet students affiliated with the TI:GER program. Hearing firsthand about their experience gave me confidence that this program was the right path for my MBA journey.
What made you decide to enroll in the program?
Throughout my career, I have spent years developing products on the technical side. I want to expand my expertise into the commercial and strategic dimensions of innovation. I applied for this program because it offers a unique opportunity to learn about innovation and entrepreneurship through a real-life project.
What were your major responsibilities when working on a TI:GER project?
Together with two Ph.D. students and one MBA student, I am working on the “ReSpool” project where we are developing the technology and commercialization strategy for a biodegradable 3D printing material. We are currently halfway through the project. My main responsibilities so far have included project planning, conducting comprehensive market research on applications in the CPG sector, and navigating sustainability certifications to ensure the commercial readiness of our product.
What do you consider to be your major takeaways from being in the program?
One key lesson I learned is that innovation must deliver real value to customers. It is easy for innovators to fall in love with the products they are developing and lose sight of customer needs. Believe it or not, I have been there. To avoid this pitfall, this program taught me to anchor innovation in thorough market research to first identify customers’ pain points and understand how they can acquire value from the solutions we offer. Only after establishing this foundation should we start designing business models and MVPs that can scale. By doing so, we can offer solutions that truly resonate with customers while avoiding wasted effort and resources.
Another major takeaway is that networking plays a critical role in our success. From the very first class, Dr. Jonathan Giuliano emphasized the importance of networking in entrepreneurship. This program excels at fostering a collaborative environment for students and offering us opportunities to network not only within our cohort but also with TI:GER alumni. I believe the connections I have built here will undoubtedly be an asset throughout my career.
Can you describe how your experience might enhance your career after graduating?
Although I am only halfway through the TI:GER program, I have already started applying the learnings to my daily work. For instance, during my company’s recent Hackathon, we pitched innovative ideas globally to drive revenue growth and address business challenges. By leveraging the skills gained from this program, I led my team into the semifinals.
Moving forward, I will continue building on my business acumen while sharpening my execution skills to tackle complex business problems. By integrating these with the expertise gained from my Sustainability concentration, I aim to drive meaningful impact by leading the company’s sustainable growth initiatives in the future.
Would you recommend the program to others? If so, why?
Yes, absolutely. I believe the best way to learn is by doing. This is exactly what the TI:GER program offers. The connections we build here will benefit us for a lifetime. That’s why I highly recommend it to anyone who thrives on turning innovative ideas into reality, whether for a startup or a large company.