Embedded in the Parsons ELab, this course immerses graduate students behind the scenes of NYC’s dynamic startup ecosystem, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate, analyze, and drive positive impact through strategic and systems design. Before creating and testing prototypes, students will explore landscape analysis methods, equity and access in entrepreneurship, business structures, and legal considerations. Through participatory learning, students will actively engage with industry leaders, attend startup events, visit stakeholder communities, and apply lab research to develop interventions that create real change. By analyzing ecosystems and leveraging them for personal and professional pursuits, they will gain the tools and mindsets for meaningful action, innovation, and value creation.