What is SEED?
SEED is the first-of-its-kind, cross-disciplinary University-run consulting clinic that empowers entrepreneurs in today’s competitive marketplace. We deliver custom business services through a dynamic collaboration of Suffolk University faculty, alumni professionals, and students working across several disciplines from marketing and advertising to finance, legal, accounting, and funding.
Our approach combines the personal attention of a boutique advisory firm with the robust resources of a world-class university. We provide the strategic capability and practical assistance small businesses need to flourish while providing students with a unique integration of experiential and contextual learning. Students engaged in SEED have access to all of the University’s resources and Boston’s rich array of networks, particularly its business community.
Serving the Needs of the Local Business Community
According to Lending Tree, 19% of new Massachusetts businesses fail in their first year, 43% in their first five years, and 61% in their first 10 years. Research conducted by Suffolk’s Center for Entrepreneurship revealed that underserved businesses in the Commonwealth are overwhelmingly inundated with demands far beyond their operational capacity. These small businesses need practical support to thrive in the competitive marketplace. The specialized expertise provided by SEED is a key strategic solution to address this critical gap and support our local community.
SEED works with a mix of small businesses at various stages, ranging from startups to well-established organizations—intentionally selecting new and underserved businesses as part of our client mix each semester. We offer these businesses free or sliding-scale fee access to resources through the clinics, each led by senior-level business executives serving as clinical directors who guide students through their projects:
- Consulting
- Accounting
- Funding
- Marketing
Other support is provided by the Suffolk Law Clinic and Suffolk in the HUB student-run marketing agency.
Providing Suffolk Students with A Unique Educational Experience
Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to participate in SEED as a semester-long academic course. Accepted students, known as SEED Scholars, are placed in cohorts of eight–12, representing their area of specialty—accounting, consulting, marketing/advertising, legal, or funding. During the first six weeks of the semester, students develop skills in their respective specialties. For the remainder of the semester, students work on client projects as members of a cross-disciplinary team under the guidance of SEED clinical directors.
SEED Scholar Benefits:
- Working directly with industry experts to solve real challenges for real businesses in real time
- Developing leadership and problem-solving skills and building confidence
- Networking with alumni, local business professionals, and organizations
- Gaining exposure to potential new career paths through experiences with a variety of organizations and functional areas
- Cultivating a sense of civic responsibility and an understanding of the importance of community engagement
- Earning academic credits while building a professional portfolio that will distinguish them in a competitive job market
