Course Description

We’re facing a fascinating paradox in today’s global economy. On one hand, technologies like AI and quantum computing are creating unprecedented wealth and opportunity. On the other, the quality and security of work is deteriorating for many people worldwide. Nearly 2 billion workers are trapped in the gig economy without basic rights, 289 million youth are disconnected from education and employment pathways, and technological change is leaving entire communities behind.

This Challenge Lab gives you the chance to tackle this paradox head-on by designing entrepreneurial ventures that generate DECENT work – not just any jobs, but employment that provides fair income, workplace security, social protection, and real opportunities for development within a framework of environmental stewardship and social equity.

How might we move beyond “zero-sum” thinking to create innovations and ventures that are the best of all worlds: neither Wikipedia nor Meta, neither Patagonia nor Shein, neither Dr Bronner nor L’Oreal, neither REI nor Walmart, neither Organic Valley nor Monsanto.

Startups have always been powerful engines of economic growth and wealth creation. Sitting at the intersection of social upheaval and technological revolution, we have a unique opportunity to create ventures that drive QUALITY growth and shared prosperity while nurturing a DECENT ecosystem that respects planetary boundaries and fostering a DECENT society that leaves no one behind.

You’ll form interdisciplinary teams, and craft your startup from idea to final pitch across several high-potential areas:

  • Economic Diversification: How can we create innovative strategies to diversify local economies and enhance productivity beyond traditional sectors?
  • Digital Transformation in Workplaces: What if AI and automation could enhance productivity while ensuring fair labor practices instead of undermining them?
  • Fintech Solutions for Inclusion: How might we develop applications that expand access to financial services for marginalized communities, promoting genuine economic participation?
  • Smart Tourism Innovations: Can we craft tech-driven strategies that promote sustainable tourism, benefiting local economies while preserving cultural heritage?
  • Tech for Youth Employment: What digital platforms could connect young people with meaningful opportunities, training, and mentorship in emerging industries?
  • Green Tech Entrepreneurship: Where are the opportunities for tech startups focused on environmental sustainability AND economic resilience?

Through this lab, you’ll have the chance to design ventures that don’t just create wealth, but distribute it in ways that strengthen communities and build a more sustainable future.

Classes Link

About Challenge Labs

Challenge Labs are 4 unit courses for students of all academic backgrounds who seek a rigorous, interactive, team-based, and hands-on learning experience in entrepreneurship and technology. These courses use a unique pedagogy, The Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship, that involves the use of games, industry guest speakers, team exercises, videos and labs to cover the early part of the startup lifecycle. In these highly experiential courses, students form start-up teams to create technology solutions or services to address a broadly-defined problem posed by an industry partner or social challenge.

Instructor

Rana Kanaan

From pivoting a decade-old data company into a $250M acquisition target to scaling Citrix’s flagship products into a $1.5B revenue powerhouse, Rana Kanaan has spent over 20 years turning audacious product visions into market-defining realities.  She brings the connective tissue between technology and the market, to create liftoff for products from 0 to 1, from seed to acquisition. Known for her candid, straight-shooting style and commitment to paying it forward, Rana combines strategic leadership with human-centered approaches to building exceptional products and teams.
Rana’s career spans a range of high impact roles, including serving as Chief Product Officer, startup founder, and trusted advisor to several boards, founders, and CEOs. She has architected complex platform releases for 200,000+ enterprise clients with global teams of hundreds and scaled flagship products into billion-dollar revenue powerhouses. A certified design thinking expert from Stanford’s d.school, she leverages technical depth and emotional intelligence to achieve transformational results in high-stakes environments.
Beyond her professional achievements, Rana is passionate about giving back and passionate about supporting every entrepreneur with the courage to make something happen. She serves as chairperson of the Board for Equal Justice Under Law, advisor to Pi’iku Co and mentor at UC Berkeley Haas eHUB. She also supports underrepresented entrepreneurs through organizations like WeTech, TechWomen, and Blue Startups. Her dedication to mentorship and social impact reflects her belief in creating opportunities for others to thrive.
Rana holds an Electrical Engineering degree (B.A.Sc) from the University of Toronto as well as a Stanford d.school and GSB education and applies her technical expertise alongside her strategic and human-centered leadership philosophy.  She has lived and worked in the US, Canada, Europe and the Middle East.

Rana headshot

Rana headshot