Product details

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Abstract

The city of Milwaukee, with its rich cultural diversity, has long struggled with poverty, unemployment, and a lack of opportunity, particularly among its minority communities. A group of passionate advocates, entrepreneurs and public-private institutions recognized this challenge and came together to transform Milwaukee's economic landscape. It was clear that Milwaukee's potential was hindered by these differences. Strengthening disadvantaged neighborhoods requires fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, which is essential for creating startups with product-market fit. At the center of this transformative journey are four friends from a marginalized community: Ted, Elli, David, and Ibrahim. Inspired by a motivational lecture, they founded TEDI, an entrepreneurial venture born of a shared commitment to self-reliance and community improvement. Recognizing their determination, an entrepreneur mentor organized a transformative three-stage experiential exercise that resulted in the creation of a hypothetical startup called TEDI, which introduced two unique products (organic tea and organic pizza) to a community struggling with wellness and obesity. This unique scenario illustrates how grassroots entrepreneurship can spark change and create a ripple effect that turns individuals into agents of positive transformation within their community. In the spirit of President John F Kennedy's famous words, it embodies the idea that community members should not only ask what their city can do for them, but also think about what they can do for their city's prosperity and freedom. The uniqueness of this case compared to others comes from the transformation of a hypothetical scenario involving four friends into a tangible reality, thereby influencing, and shifting their role as change agents within the Milwaukee community.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education courses.

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 2021 to 2023.

Geographical setting

Region:
Americas
Countries:
United States; Brunei Darussalam; Nigeria
Locations:
Milwaukee;Lagos

Featured company

Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei
Employees:
501-1000
Type:
Educational
Industry:
Education
Other keywords:
Entrepreneurial Fire, Idea Sourcing, Validation, and Pitching Efforts

Featured protagonists

  • University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, University
  • Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Journal
  • Ted (male), New Entrepreneur
  • Elli (female), New Entrepreneur
  • David (male), New Entrepreneur

About

Abstract

The city of Milwaukee, with its rich cultural diversity, has long struggled with poverty, unemployment, and a lack of opportunity, particularly among its minority communities. A group of passionate advocates, entrepreneurs and public-private institutions recognized this challenge and came together to transform Milwaukee's economic landscape. It was clear that Milwaukee's potential was hindered by these differences. Strengthening disadvantaged neighborhoods requires fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, which is essential for creating startups with product-market fit. At the center of this transformative journey are four friends from a marginalized community: Ted, Elli, David, and Ibrahim. Inspired by a motivational lecture, they founded TEDI, an entrepreneurial venture born of a shared commitment to self-reliance and community improvement. Recognizing their determination, an entrepreneur mentor organized a transformative three-stage experiential exercise that resulted in the creation of a hypothetical startup called TEDI, which introduced two unique products (organic tea and organic pizza) to a community struggling with wellness and obesity. This unique scenario illustrates how grassroots entrepreneurship can spark change and create a ripple effect that turns individuals into agents of positive transformation within their community. In the spirit of President John F Kennedy's famous words, it embodies the idea that community members should not only ask what their city can do for them, but also think about what they can do for their city's prosperity and freedom. The uniqueness of this case compared to others comes from the transformation of a hypothetical scenario involving four friends into a tangible reality, thereby influencing, and shifting their role as change agents within the Milwaukee community.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education courses.

Settings

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 2021 to 2023.

Geographical setting

Region:
Americas
Countries:
United States; Brunei Darussalam; Nigeria
Locations:
Milwaukee;Lagos

Featured company

Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei
Employees:
501-1000
Type:
Educational
Industry:
Education
Other keywords:
Entrepreneurial Fire, Idea Sourcing, Validation, and Pitching Efforts

Featured protagonists

  • University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, University
  • Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Journal
  • Ted (male), New Entrepreneur
  • Elli (female), New Entrepreneur
  • David (male), New Entrepreneur

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