125 students transformed classroom learning into real-world business experience during the recent Student Business Showcase hosted by Menlo College’s School of Business. Held on May 7, the event featured 17 student-led business teams presenting products, services, and entrepreneurial concepts developed through the year-long MGT 101 and MGT 102: Entrepreneurship & Management in Action sequence, culminating in the launch and presentation of their final business projects.
The showcase welcomed students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests for an engaging afternoon centered on innovation, collaboration, and experiential learning. Attendees had the opportunity to meet directly with student entrepreneurs, explore a wide variety of business ventures, and connect with members of the Menlo College community.
Throughout the two-semester program, students progressed from developing foundational business concepts to launching and managing their own ventures. Guided by faculty mentorship and hands-on learning, students gained practical experience in leadership, financial planning, marketing, operations, and teamwork while building real-world businesses from the ground up.
“This was a great learning experience for students and faculty alike. The year-long course is another building block in making Menlo College a leading entrepreneurship university on the US west coast,” said Fabian Eggers, Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship.
The Student Business Showcase served as the culminating event for the course, giving teams the opportunity to present their businesses and share the lessons they learned throughout the semester. From product-based concepts to service-oriented ventures, the showcase highlighted the creativity, adaptability, and entrepreneurial mindset that Menlo College students develop through experiential learning.
“The ability to showcase my own created school company with my fellow business companions, was an experience I’ll never forget,” said student Anthony Rueff.
The annual showcase continues to be a signature example of Menlo College’s emphasis on experiential education, giving students the opportunity to apply academic concepts in meaningful and impactful ways while building confidence as future business leaders.
As Menlo College continues to expand opportunities for experiential learning, the Student Business Showcase stands as a powerful example of how students are developing the entrepreneurial mindset, leadership skills, and practical business experience needed to thrive in today’s global economy.
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About Menlo College:
Menlo College is a small private, nonprofit college founded in 1927 with a mission to “ignite potential and educate students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy.” Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College offers undergraduate degrees in business and psychology, as well as three graduate degrees: a Master of Science in Information Systems, a Master of Science in Financial Technology, and a Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology. Menlo is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving (AANAPISI) Institution.
