{"id":86,"date":"2026-04-14T15:27:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T19:27:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/business.cornell.edu\/dyson\/?page_id=86"},"modified":"2026-08-12T16:09:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T20:09:55","slug":"teams","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/business.cornell.edu\/dyson\/grand-challenges\/teams\/","title":{"rendered":"Grand Challenges teams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>
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Working in teams on engaged-learning projects, students join forces with partners in Ithaca and beyond to apply their business skills. Grand Challenges build on Dyson’s culture of collaboration and fosters knowledge in service to society, with projects that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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By the numbers<\/span><\/h2>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Dyson Grand Challenges bridges the classroom and the real world, giving students a chance to roll up their sleeves and tackle complex societal problems alongside Cornell faculty, staff and MBA coaches. Each year, approximately 900 students enroll in a Grand Challenges course, gaining hands-on experience addressing real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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230+<\/p>\n \n

Project teams<\/h3>\n \n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n
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40-50<\/p>\n \n

Community-engaged projects<\/h3>\n \n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n
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15,000+<\/p>\n \n

Project hours<\/h3>\n \n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Student spotlights<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n \n \n
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“At Dyson, our core focus has always been ‘Business for a Better World.’ The Grand Challenges project is a testament to Dyson’s efforts to involve students in local community initiatives, giving an unparalleled opportunity to work with clients and create a lasting impact. Learning through experience is something I truly felt from this project and makes me certain I can take these skills into the workplace upon graduation.”<\/p>\n <\/blockquote>\n\n

Praveen Gunedran ’24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Team project: Treleaven Wines<\/p>\n \n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n

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“This was an amazing learning experience in which I got the opportunity to make a tangible impact in an effort to improve the trajectory of a high-growth startup while cultivating essential teamwork skills. I also learned from reflecting on my own strengths and weaknesses through self-reflection, team reflection, MBA coach meetings and class meetings. I am grateful I got to experience this before working full time.”<\/p>\n <\/blockquote>\n\n

Arie Serrant ’24 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Team project: Maia Yogurt<\/p>\n \n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n

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“The Grand Challenges program provided our team with an opportunity to work directly with a client in the agri-tech space. Not only was it a great way to learn how to interact with clients, but it was also very interesting to learn more about how technology is revolutionizing a traditional space such as farming.”<\/p>\n <\/blockquote>\n\n

Serena Huang ’24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Team project: Agrology<\/p>\n \n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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Team projects<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Students work in teams on a range of subjects and final deliverables vary based on the needs of the client or community partner. Several recent projects are highlighted below:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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\n \n \n South Central Regional Library Council\n <\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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South Central Regional Library Council<\/a><\/p>\n

Project type: <\/strong>Community engagement planning\/strategy<\/p>\n

Challenge question<\/strong>: Right now, the library profession is around 20% BIPOC (some studies show it is higher, some lower). How can SCRLC do its part to increase the number of BIPOC librarians and library workers? How can information resources about our communities reflect their rich and diverse heritage?<\/p>\n

Why is the project important?<\/strong> Libraries and other cultural organizations must reflect the communities that they serve, including staff and regional descriptions. We see stakeholders as the libraries, cultural organizations, and residents in\/of the communities that we serve. This project has the potential to benefit all community members through a more diverse library workforce and inclusive resources. Diversity, equity, inclusion and justice are core SCRLC values–and we believe that a better world is only possible if there is diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and also sustainable practices.<\/p>\n

SDG goals<\/strong>: 3. Good health and well-being, 4. Quality education, 5. Gender equality, 8. Decent work and economic growth, 10. Reduced inequalities, 16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions, 17. Partnerships for the goals<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/details>\n

\n \n \n Court Street Place\n <\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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Court Street Place<\/a><\/p>\n

Project type:<\/strong> Operations\/productivity; Community engagement planning\/strategy; Fundraising\/grant opportunities)<\/p>\n

Challenge question<\/strong>: How can we work closely with our community partner to identify the key needs of his organization and work in an efficient manner to ensure the long-term viability and expansion of Court Street Place?<\/p>\n

Why is the project important?<\/strong> Our partner is looking to form a 501c3 to receive much-needed funding and grants. This will allow continued operations and ideally expand its offerings to the tenants. Should this be successful, he would also like to expand this non-profit model and create additional homes around Tompkins County for both men and women.<\/p>\n

SDG goals<\/strong>: 1. No poverty, 2. Zero hunger, 3. Good health and well-being, 8. Decent work and economic growth, 10. Reduced inequalities<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/details>\n

\n \n \n Hub Controller\n <\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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Hub Controller<\/a><\/p>\n

Project type:<\/strong> Marketing: consumer behavior\/decision making and market research)<\/p>\n

Challenge question<\/strong>: What U.S. cities in the New York and greater Northeast area will be early adopters of the Hub Controller and how can the company successfully enter these markets?<\/p>\n

Why is the project important?<\/strong> This project is important because Hub Controller, an Irish company, is looking to establish their presence in U.S. markets.<\/p>\n

SDG goals<\/strong>: 7. Affordable and clean energy, 13. Climate action<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/details>\n

\n \n \n Cornell Chabad\n <\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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Cornell Chabad<\/a><\/p>\n

Project type:<\/strong> Community engagement planning\/strategy; DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging); Marketing<\/p>\n

Challenge question<\/strong>: How does engaging in customary religious traditions, which have largely been forgotten during American secularization, impact well-being, and how can we increase connection and well-being on Cornell’s campus?<\/p>\n

Why is the project important?<\/strong> The Tefillin Project, undertaken through Chabad at Cornell, is an initiative designed to rekindle the millennia-old Jewish practice of donning Tefillin – black leather boxes containing handwritten parchments of Torah verses. This ritual, which has been upheld by Jews across the globe for thousands of years, serves not only as a physical act but also as a spiritual connection linking the individual to their surroundings, their community, their heritage, and the Divine. Especially in high-stress, competitive environments, such as universities like Cornell, it is crucial for students to have mechanisms that promote mindfulness and self-care.<\/p>\n

SDG goals<\/strong>: 3. Good health and well-being, 16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/details>\n

\n \n \n Agrology\n <\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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Agrology<\/a><\/p>\n

Project type:<\/strong> Business development\/formation; ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance); Marketing\/market entry; Operations\/productivity; Technology management<\/p>\n

Challenge question<\/strong>: How can producers connect with food Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) to partner in the use of technology that verifies the carbon captured when producers employ sustainable farming methods?<\/p>\n

Why is the project important? <\/strong>CPG companies who wish to make claims as to the sustainability of their products and encourage their suppliers to adopt sustainable methods need a way to verify the amounts of carbon being sequestered. Providing such a method would give CPG an added incentive to require their production partner to increase their sustainability effort, which in turn can help reduce the carbon footprint of the Ag Sector.<\/p>\n

SDG goals<\/strong>: 2. Zero hunger, 12. Responsible consumption and production, 13. Climate action<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/details>\n

\n \n \n Treleaven Wines\n <\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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Treleaven Wines<\/a><\/p>\n

Project type:<\/strong> ESG: Environmental, Social and Governance; Operations\/productivity; Strategy<\/p>\n

Challenge question<\/strong>: How can we best incorporate sustainable wine bottle reuse into Treleaven Wines’ business while ensuring financial and operational feasibility for both Treleaven and the industry at large?<\/p>\n

Why is the project important? <\/strong>The project supports a long-standing family business in upstate New York working towards sustainability goals while adapting to current legislative outcomes that would affect their bottom line.<\/p>\n

SDG goals<\/strong>: 9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure, 12. Responsible consumption and production, 17. Partnerships for the goals<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/details>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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\n \n \"MBA\n \n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
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MBA <\/span> partnership<\/h2>\n\n
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In partnership with the Johnson Leadership Program, Johnson MBA students apply to join a cohort of coaches and support undergraduate project teams. Coaches meet regularly with their teams to provide guidance on interpersonal dynamics, problem-solving approaches, and effective client interactions. Coaches also participate in trainings to deepen their own coaching and leadership skills.<\/p>\n

Incorporating Johnson MBA coaches into the Dyson Grand Challenge Program curriculum bridges the excellence and breadth of our schools, enables authentic mentoring relationships and ultimately enhances the project results for the client or community partner.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n Read about the MBA coaching partnership<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"parent":73,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"leadership":[],"class_list":["post-86","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nGrand Challenges teams - Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/business.cornell.edu\/dyson\/grand-challenges\/teams\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Grand Challenges teams\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/business.cornell.edu\/dyson\/grand-challenges\/teams\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-12T20:09:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/business.cornell.edu\\\/dyson\\\/grand-challenges\\\/teams\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/business.cornell.edu\\\/dyson\\\/grand-challenges\\\/teams\\\/\",\"name\":\"Grand Challenges teams - 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