Davidson Student Consulting | The Hurt Hub@Davidson

We connect startups and small businesses with talented students from one of America’s top-ranked colleges. Our team of carefully selected student consultants combines the analytical rigor of a premier liberal arts education with fresh, innovative thinking to deliver results for your short-term projects.

WHAT WE OFFER

Our consultants work with businesses at every stage, from early-stage founders finding their footing to established companies tackling complex strategic challenges. Rather than prescribing a fixed set of deliverables, we take time to understand your business, your goals, and the obstacles in your way before recommending an approach. The result is work that’s actually useful, not just completed.

BUSINESS & MARKET RESEARCH

Before you can grow, you need to understand where you stand. Our consultants help you build a clear picture of your customers, your competition, and the opportunities available to you.

This might include customer research and surveys, segmentation analysis, customer journey mapping, competitor analysis, industry and trends research, market positioning, or prospect database building. This work often serves as the foundation for marketing strategy, growth planning, or other project areas, and many engagements start here even if a client comes in with a different request in mind.

MARKETING STRATEGY

We’ll help you determine the right approach to reach your customers and grow your business, and then help you execute it.

This might include go-to-market planning, content strategy, copywriting, and marketing collateral like decks, one-pagers, and outreach materials. We recommend starting with research before diving into strategy. If you haven’t already done that work, we can help with that first.

DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT

(currently booked until September 2026) We’ll help you strengthen and build your digital presence, whether that means improving what you already have or creating something new.

This might include website audits, SEO and usability improvements, website builds, or developing custom tools and features like calculators, interactive elements, or lightweight web apps. We’re increasingly using AI-assisted development methods to build smarter, faster solutions for clients. We’re also able to help small businesses explore how AI can streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, or improve how you serve customers.

DATA ANALYSIS

Most businesses are sitting on more useful information than they realize. They just haven’t had a chance to look at it closely.

If you track sales, manage inventory, take appointments, receive customer reviews, book rooms or services, or run any kind of operation with moving parts, there’s likely something worth analyzing. Our consultants can help you make sense of what you have, spotting patterns, identifying what’s working, flagging what isn’t, and surfacing opportunities you might be missing. You don’t need a spreadsheet full of numbers to benefit from this kind of work; sometimes the most valuable insights come from the simplest information.

WHY BUSINESSES CHOOSE DCCG

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

DCCG recruits Davidson’s most capable and dedicated students through a comprehensive multi-round selection process. Davidson’s renowned Honor Code creates a community where integrity and accountability are foundational, and students live and work by these principles throughout their college experience. This institutional commitment to character, combined with our additional selection criteria, means you’re working with individuals who not only bring exceptional talent and drive, but also a deep-rooted sense of responsibility to every project.

PROFESSIONAL-QUALITY WORK, ACCESSIBLE PRICING

DCCG delivers high-quality work that provides real value to your business. Most projects are priced at just $700-$1,000, and pro bono support may be available for those who need it. Thanks to generous philanthropic support, we’re able to make professional assistance accessible while maintaining the caliber of work your business deserves.

TAILORED SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS

Every business faces different challenges and opportunities, and DCCG recognizes that one-size-fits-all approaches rarely deliver the results you need. We work closely with you to develop a project scope that aligns with your specific goals, timeline, and resources. While we offer guidance through our practice areas and project examples, we remain flexible in how we structure each engagement to fit what matters most to your business.

Diverse Perspectives Drive Results

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CONSULTANTS

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MAJORS REPRESENTED

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COUNTRIES REPRESENTED

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LANGUAGES SPOKEN

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STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS

PREVIOUS CLIENTS INCLUDE

RECENT PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Student consultants partnered with a local service-based startup whose founder was spending significant time on day-to-day operations, limiting capacity for strategic growth. The primary challenge was scaling the business profitably while maintaining service quality, a key competitive differentiator. Student consultants conducted competitive market analysis and developed a data-driven pricing strategy that enabled the company to adjust rates while remaining competitive. In parallel, students conducted qualitative research with service providers to understand motivations and retention factors. The findings enabled more intentional hiring and retention practices to support sustainable growth without compromising service standards.

Student consultants partnered with a food and beverage business in a regional tourist destination that was exploring new revenue streams following a significant operational transition. The business wanted to expand beyond its core offering by adding a retail merchandise line. Students conducted market research on comparable retailers in the tourism sector, analyzing product offerings and current trends in relevant categories. Based on these insights, they collaborated with the owner to refine the brand identity, recommended a cohesive product line, and delivered a detailed implementation plan that included manufacturer recommendations, pricing strategy, suggested quantities, and production timelines.

Student consultants partnered with a digital wellness platform looking to increase brand awareness and customer acquisition. The team conducted a comprehensive audit of the company’s social media presence and comparable brands in the industry, delivering content and growth strategies. They also evaluated the feasibility of an AI-driven feature the company was considering and provided a phased implementation roadmap to guide development and rollout.

HOW IT WORKS

Submit a Request - Complete the form below describing your business need.
Initial Review - Our team will assess whether your request aligns with our current capabilities and availability.
Consultation - If it's a good fit, you'll attend a 30-minute meeting with program staff to finalize scope and timeline.
Team Assignment - Your engagement gets matched with student consultants.
Collaboration - You'll provide materials, guidance, and feedback as needed throughout the engagement.
Final Deliverables - Receive your completed work and actionable recommendations.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long do engagements typically last?

Most are completed within 4-8 weeks.

Is this program available year-round?

Yes, you may submit a request at any time. Work is completed during student availability periods, which typically run September-November, January-April, and June-July.

How much does it cost to work with DCCG?

Most engagements are priced at $700-$1,000, which is well below market value for professional consulting services. Pro bono support may be available for businesses that need it, thanks to generous philanthropic support and local partnerships that help us keep our services accessible.

What's the time commitment for business owners?

Most engagements require approximately 3-5 hours of your time, though this varies depending on the project. A typical timeline includes a 30-minute kickoff meeting, 1-2 brief check-ins during the project, and a 30-60 minute final meeting. You may also need time to gather materials, share platform access, or answer questions between meetings.

How are students assigned to my engagement?

Students are assigned based on their availability, skills, interests, and career goals. Each engagement includes a Project Lead with relevant experience or expertise.

Can I hire an intern through this program?

DCCG is a consulting program, and we don’t facilitate traditional internships. Students collaborate on clearly scoped projects with defined deliverables rather than providing ongoing operational support. Many organizations have offered formal internships or employment to students after they’ve worked with them through DCCG, but those arrangements happen separately from the program.

Does DCCG work with nonprofit organizations?

Our program focuses on for-profit businesses. Nonprofit and public-sector organizations should connect with Davidson College’s Center for Civic Engagement, which is part of the Institute for Public Good and specializes in connecting students with mission-driven organizations. To learn more about their offerings, contact the CCE or visit their website.

How does working with DCCG benefit students?

DCCG is an experiential learning program that helps students develop professional skills in a real-world setting. Students work on projects that align with their career interests, not just areas where they’re already skilled, allowing them to grow aspirationally. Project Leads gain leadership and project management experience, while all consultants build capabilities in professional communication and collaborative problem-solving. Through regular team meetings, professional development sessions, and guest speakers, students receive ongoing support as they drive real impact for businesses.

I'm a Davidson College student. How can I be part of DCCG?

You can learn more about the program and our recruitment timelines on this page.

SUBMIT A REQUEST

Before completing the form, please review our service offerings in the “What We Offer” section above to ensure your project aligns with our current capabilities.

Questions? Contact Amy Tirpak at amtirpak@davidson.edu

Please note that due to high demand, we are booked until June 2026.