Strategic Challenges
Over MiddCORE’s four weeks, you’ll be a consultant for a company, with real-life problems to solve: You’ll learn how to do field research, develop your own recommendations, and pitch original solutions
Past Strategic Challenges
Take a look below at some of the challenges students have worked on in the past:
OpenAI x MiddCORE J-term 2026
Athletic Brewing Co. x MiddCORE J-term 2025
New Balance x MiddCORE J-term 2024
The LEGO Group x MiddCORE J-term 2023
LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2024 The LEGO Group.
Patagonia x MiddCORE J-term 2022
826 National
Beautiful design has always been a key piece of the 826 National network brand. While the chapters have their storefront themes to lean on, 826 National’s brand must stand alone and encompass the entire 826 community. So what exactly is 826 National’s brand? And how does that brand represent its signature “whimsy,” without undermining a mission that is very much grounded in social justice? How might 826 National’s image be reimagined—both in terms of messaging and artwork/creative? How might 826 National convert followers to volunteers for local chapters and volunteers to life-long donors and advocates? Develop a messaging strategy, a fundraising plan, and a tactical process.
Life is Good Kids Foundation
The Life is Good Kids Foundation has clearly had tremendous impact on the lives of many children and their caregivers but LIG partners and Foundation leaders see potential to do much more. They want to achieve their collective goal of positively impacting the world through the power of play and optimism. With that in mind, the LIGKF has invited MiddCORE students to use their expert research, synthesis and creative skills to think of new and innovative strategies to help the company and the foundation achieve greater impact. How might the LIG Playmakers move from being a nonprofit “arm” of the company to the “core skeleton” of the organization?
