PROGRAM OVERVIEW

BERC Innovative Solutions (BIS) is an energy and resources-focused consulting program led by students from across UC Berkeley’s top graduate departments. The program’s evolution has been driven by demand from both students and organizations in business, nonprofit and government.

BIS is dedicated to working with clients to address their strategic energy and resources opportunities and challenges, while providing talented students with experiential learning through meaningful projects. The BIS application process matches balanced teams with complementary areas of academic focus and past professional experience with the skill sets needed to meet each client's needs. Collaborating across academic disciplines provides both unique opportunities for student participants and rich perspectives for BIS clients.

BIS engagements focus on projects like the following:

• Market Assessments - customer segmentation, market assessment
• Organizational Strategy - growth strategy, go-to-market strategy
• Policy Research and Proposal Analysis - regulatory barrier assessment, policy strategy
• Scenario Planning - economic/policy based planning workshops

BIS TEAM AND PROJECT STRUCTURE

BIS teams consist of 3-5 students depending on project scope. Each team member should plan to dedicate 5-8 hours a week to BIS and can expect to work directly with client project leadership. Projects will be based on the semester calendar with an average duration of 8-10 weeks. Prior to the semester's project kick-off, teams will participate in the BIS Energy, Resources and Sustainability Consulting Workshop led by an experienced consultant from the sector.

CLIENT INFORMATION

The Fall 2009 BIS Program received an exceptional number of incredible client applications.  Thank you to all who applied for your interest in the BIS program.  As BIS grows, we will work to continue to expand our ability to serve more clients in the future. 

This semester, BIS teams will work on the following projects:

• Corporate Venture Capital:  Cleantech Investment Analysis
• Energy Efficiency and Social Innovation
• Renewable Generation Coordination and Enablement:  Market Expansion
• Strategic Biomass to Electricity Greenhouse Gas Policy Design

If you are a potential client interested in learning how you can become involved with BIS in the future, please contact:  jeffrey_olson@mba.berkeley.edu.

STUDENT INFORMATION

The Fall 2009 BERC Innovative Solution student teams have been selected for this semester’s program.  BIS teams are currently working with their client counterparts, BERC mentors and academic advisors to address strategic energy and resource-related challenges and opportunities.  This year’s applicant pool was strong, drawing students from programs including:  Business, Energy & Resources, Engineering, Law and Public Policy. Teams will present recommendations to senior executive client management at the end of this semester.

Students interested in participating in BIS next semester should look for applications to be posted late November, for the Spring 2010 program.

QUESTIONS / CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions related to participation, please contact Jeff Olson, BIS Chair at jeffrey_olson@mba.berkeley.edu.