The 2025 Fowler Business Concept Challenge (FBCC), organized by the Knauss School of Business, sparked a celebration of innovation and creativity at the University of San Diego. On Friday, December 5, 16 semi-finalist teams presented groundbreaking ideas to a packed audience of over 300 people at an event that exemplifies the entrepreneurial passion of USD students and their commitment to addressing real-world problems.

The University of San Diego’s Ahlers Center for International Business has concluded the  Si Exporto Program , an applied export education and consulting initiative supporting 25+ small businesses in California to expand internationally. Participating companies represented a diverse set of industries ranging from health and beauty to cybersecurity to medical tourism.  The program delivered structured training in  international marketing, international sales,  international logistics, and global strategy by Knauss professors Richard Clark, Jaime Gomez and Eileen Daspro and  MBA alumni Ari Sacal.  In addition, the program provided  paid international consulting opportunities for 10 Knauss international business students , who conducted supervised market research and internationalization plans for participating firms. This student consulting component aligned with workforce development objectives, enabling students to become Nasbite Certified Global Business Professionals (CGBPs) as a part of the initiative. The program was supported by a  $120,000 grant  and implemented in  collaboration with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), State of California, and the World Trade Center Northern California , strengthening The Knauss School of Business and the Ahlers Center for Business support of trade education and export promotion in our state.

This fall, students from the University of San Diego - Knauss School of Business and CETYS Universidad participated in a dynamic, two-day cross-border exchange designed to foster academic collaboration, cultural understanding, and hands-on global learning.

The University of San Diego’s Knauss School of Business and the Ahlers Center for International Business are proud to highlight the successful conclusion of an international research trip to Japan by faculty members Robert Eberhart, Ph.D., Carsten Zimmermann, Ph.D., and Nichole Wissman, Ph.D., from September 20–26. The week-long visit provided an enriching opportunity for academic exchange, cross-cultural learning, and strengthening academia-industry collaborations. During the trip, the faculty participated in a variety of professional and cultural engagements, including: Presenting the keynote address and attending the 2026 Annual Conference of the Academic Association for Organizational Science at Aoyama Gakuin University. Presenting collaborative sustainability research to the Corporate Venturing Office of the Hitachi Corporation and engaging in discussions with Hitachi colleagues. Sharing research on equity in climate adaptation at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Energy Science , where Nichole Wissman engaged with Professor Benjamin McLellan and students in meaningful conversations on adaptation and equity. Connecting with global scholars, including Professor Tsutomu Nakano and colleagues from Copenhagen Business School and Aalborg University, to explore potential future research collaborations. Touring Japanese industry sites, including an incense factory and a local brewery, to gain insights into business practices and operations. In addition to the academic and professional achievements, the trip fostered rich cultural exchange through dinners and informal gatherings with local colleagues, further strengthening international relationships. This research trip exemplifies the Ahlers Center’s commitment to fostering international engagement and preparing faculty and students to thrive in a globally connected business environment.

On Friday, December 5, 2025 , the Ahlers Center for International Business at the University of San Diego - Knauss School of Business hosted the “Managing Global Uncertainty: Strategies for Small Businesses in a Shifting Economy” conference at the Nexus Theater. The event brought together local business leaders, scholars and industry experts to explore the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in today’s rapidly changing global economy. The keynote address was delivered by Alan Gin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics , who presented “Navigating the Storm: San Diego Small Business Resilience Amid Trade Uncertainty.” Dr. Gin highlighted how global economic shifts, trade fluctuations, and tariffs impact the region, and shared strategies for fostering resilience and sustaining growth. A panel of distinguished experts joined the discussion, including Nikia Clarke, Ph.D., Chief Strategy Officer of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation; Brian Miller, President of Geppetto's Inc. and Board Chair Emeritus of The Good Toy Group; Orianna Bretschger, Cofounder and CEO of Aquacycl; Mauricio Diaz, Vice President of JD Group Logistics; and Tom Ryan, Owner of Ryan Bros. Coffee. Panelists explored the effects of global economic uncertainty on local businesses, strategies for navigating turbulent times, and opportunities for growth in San Diego’s unique binational region. Attendees left the conference with practical insights and strategies to strengthen their businesses and foster resilience in an unpredictable economic environment. The event highlighted the Ahlers Center for International Business’s commitment to connecting academia and industry to support the local business community and prepare leaders for a globally connected economy.

The Ahlers Center for International Business recently sent Associate Director Diane Ice and Assistant Director Antonio Formacion to Japan to explore academic collaborations, custom programs, and experiential learning opportunities for University of San Diego students. The trip, spanning multiple universities, corporate sites, and cultural experiences, highlighted USD’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and providing students with immersive international experiences. During their visit, Diane and Antonio met with key contacts at Tsukuba University MBA, including Prof. Remy Magnier-Watanabe, Prof. Caroline Benton, Mr. Yuji Endo, Mr. Masaaki Ohashi, and Ms. Naomi Hassaki. Discussions focused on student exchanges and potentially developing a one-week program for Tsukuba students combined with other universities. The team also visited the Tokyo Stock Exchange, scouting potential experiential visits for future USD courses, and engaged with faculty at Tokyo University Law School, establishing key contacts for future academic and professional collaborations. At Sophia University, they explored opportunities for COIL projects, discussing potential formats and identifying challenges with time zones and engagement. At Aoyama Gakuin University MBA, Diane and Antonio finalized the venue for the Tokyo Intersession presentation practice and discussed plans to deepen collaboration in the coming years. Meetings with the US-Japan Council, including Ms. Aya Hashimoto, provided information on the Mineta Ambassadors Program, an educational endowment supporting student exchanges that might expand USD’s future programs. The team also met with TRI Driven Corp., gaining valuable insights from MBA alum Masahiro Miyagami on designing programs appealing to Japanese executives and mid-size business owners. Key takeaways included emphasizing USD’s Catholic identity and ethical, purpose-driven leadership focus, showcasing successful past programs, highlighting the San Diego location and community, and starting with small pilot programs to build trust. In addition to academic and corporate meetings, Diane and Antonio visited International House Japan to confirm space for the Tokyo Intersession welcome ceremony, explored cultural excursions in Kamakura, and toured TeamLab Tokyo, identifying experiential learning opportunities that could enrich students’ international experiences. They also maintained connections with Kyushu University Tokyo Office, ensuring future collaboration opportunities remain open. This visit underscored the Ahlers Center’s dedication to expanding global learning opportunities, strengthening academic partnerships, and designing custom programs that prepare USD students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

SAN DIEGO — Fifteen million hair ties are lost or tossed each day in the United States alone. For USD grad student Sage Dobby, that staggering statistic sparked an idea that just won her a $15,000 scholarship. Dobby co-founded Piña Designs , a company creating the world's first biodegradable, plastic-free hair ties made from discarded pineapple leaves. On Friday, she pitched her sustainable solution at the University of San Diego's  7th Annual Fowler Business Concept Challenge and took home the grand prize. "We wanted to create a product that helped women have healthier hair, but when they lost that hair tie, it didn't leave a negative impact on the planet," Dobby said. View Full Story

The Knauss School of Business is pleased to announce the semifinalist teams competing in the 7th Annual Fowler Business Concept Challenge (FBCC) on December 5. These 16 teams were selected from among many unique submissions, and represent four USD schools — the Knauss School of Business, the Kroc School of Peace Studies, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences.