Gulden Ophthalmics, a small Philadelphia area business which designs and manufactures medical devices for optometrists and ophthalmologists, recently had the opportunity to partner with four students who are completing their Capstone course in International Business. The students (Rosa, Josiah, Steve, and Andi) are about to complete their last spring semester at Temple University. As part of their degree requirements, the Capstone course offers the opportunity for the students to apply the skills they have learned during their time at Temple in the “real world.”
Gulden Ophthalmics was fortunate enough to be contacted by the Temple University Small Business Development Center International Trade Department to participate in the course as the students’ client. In late 2014, Gulden achieved the required certification (CE Mark) to sell their time saving ophthalmic devices in Europe, but, being a small company, did not have the resources to perform a thorough market investigation. Gulden asked the students for assistance with investigating the European market for ophthalmic goods-and they delivered!
Over the course of the semester, the students helped Gulden gather critical information about the complexities of international healthcare, healthcare applications to the medical device industry, and how to generate sales in that competitive market. The students’ final presentation was very useful and it was clear that they learned a good deal from their experience. On a personal note, since I am a Temple Alumnus (MSEE ’14), it was especially nice to work with fellow Owls and get back on campus! Take a look at the picture below:
Elliot and Sean from Gulden Ophthalmics (2nd and 3rd from left, respectively) with Temple seniors.