MBA students starting their 601 in Fall 2025 are invited to apply for the Strategy Field Study: Indigenous Business Option (IBO). The IBO allows students to complete their 601 by working with a Certified Indigenous Business. Companies for the IBO are recruited and vetted by the 601 Office. Students selected for the IBO are expected to attend a one-day workshop on “The Indigenous Economic Development Landscape in Canada” on Saturday, September 6.

The IBO teams will be guided by Prof. Derrek Lennox, a highly rated 601 Faculty Chair and consultant who has helped Indigenous businesses and communities thrive for the past 15 years.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Learn about Indigenous economic development and Indigenous business.
  • Engage in knowledge transfer from the academic environment to Indigenous communities.
  • Tackle complex issues and help a business and its community flourish.
  • Develop important and highly marketable in-demand skills for the Canadian job market.
  • Companies are vetted and selected by the 601 Office with the assistance of an Indigenous partner organization.

 

TIMELINE (Fall 2025-Winter 2026)

  • Mandatory one-day workshop on Saturday, September 6.
  • September: In-person or virtual meeting with the client to learn about the business and its environment.
  • September – March: Research (internal/external analysis; strategic issues identification; development of solutions; articulation of recommendations and implementation plan).
  • Late March: Delivery of final report and presentation to the client firms (virtual).
  • Travel to visit the client site is encouraged if feasible but is not required.

 

How do I apply for the IBO?

Application timeline: Applications due by June 22 | Selection by June 30 | Firm commitment to participate by July 7

Complete the application form by 11:59 pm on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Be prepared to upload the following:

  • copies of undergraduate and MBA transcripts
  • a copy of your GMAT score (or equivalent); if you don’t have a GMAT or equivalent score, please upload a note stating this
  • an up-to-date resume
  • a brief Statement of Intent that discusses the following:
    • Why do you want to participate in the program?
    • What specific skills can you offer your team and your client?
    • If applicable, what previous experience do you have that makes you a good candidate for the Indigenous Business Option?

 

Waitlisted applicants will be informed when spots open.

Students who intend to apply for the IBO or GIO projects are advised not to also apply for 601 team approval. Instead, they should wait until the IBO/GIO participants have been selected before forming a 601 team.

For further questions regarding the IBO, please email Prof. Ingo Holzinger, Director, Strategy Field Study.