A D.C.-based website that connects entrepreneurs with business school students and graduates on a freelance basis has announced a partnership that should double the site's reach.
MBA Project Search, cofounded in September 2012 by Rasheen Carbin and Dan Mullaney, announced it will partner with the
MBA Exchange, a consulting service for business students and alumni. Carbin expects the partnership to double the number of MBAs using MBA Project Search.
"MBA Project Search has the integrity and commitment to deliver tangible value to the … individuals seeking assignments and the companies in need of MBA talent," says Dan Bauer, CEO of the MBA Exchange, of his company's decision to partner with the organization. "They have an entrepreneurial mindset and sense of urgency; MBA Project Search anticipates opportunities, determines the best course of action and makes the necessary commitment to succeed."
MBA Project Search has two portals—one for businesses to post their open positions or projects, and one for MBAs to search for "micro-internships" and freelance projects. "[The projects posted] are short term and just for MBAs," explains Carbin. "Lots of people have ideas but they don't have the business know-how. They need a business plan, or a marketing plan or financial projections."
Initially, Carbin says, the site was created so that students could earn a little extra money while studying for their MBA. "Some [business schools] actively discourage students from working," he explains. "So we're seeing more alumni than we expected [on the site]. I'm surprised by the number of people willing to work on small projects. More and more people go it alone. We've stepped into a niche."
Overall, Carbin says the website has garnered positive reactions. There are currently 3,000 MBAs using the portal; more than 200 businesses have posted jobs.
MBA Project Search is free for project and job seekers. Fees to post start at $19.99 for a freelance job and $99.99 for a full-time, part-time or internship gig. For an extra $100, Carbin and Mullaney will give the post premium placement, tweet it out to followers, post it on their Facebook page and include it in their newsletter. Carbin says it's affordable when compared to a similar post elsewhere: "Thirty days on Monster.com is $375."