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Karl Ulrich

Karl Ulrich, ScD

CIBC Endowed Professor; Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions; Professor of Management; Dean’s Office Advisor on Asia Strategy, The Wharton School

Research Interests:Environmental issues, product design and development, innovation

About Karl

Karl T. Ulrich is CIBC Endowed Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he is also professor of mechanical engineering. His most recent project is the design and construction of Tangen Hall, the largest facility in the world for student entrepreneurship. He co-founded Venture Lab, the Weiss Tech House, and the Integrated Product Design Program, institutions fostering innovation in the University community. He is the co-author of Product Design and Development (7th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2020), a textbook used by a quarter of a million students worldwide; Innovation Tournaments (Harvard Business Press, 2009); and Winning in China (Wharton School Press, 2021). He is the winner of many teaching awards at the Wharton School including the Anvil Award, the Miller-Sherrerd Award, and the Excellence in Teaching Award. In addition to his scholarly work, Professor Ulrich is a prolific innovator and entrepreneur, holding 24 patents. He is a founder of Terrapass Inc., which the New York Times identified as one of the most noteworthy ideas of the year, and he is a designer of the Xootr scooter, which Businessweek recognized as one of the 50 coolest products of the 21st century. Professor Ulrich holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from MIT.

Read full faculty bio on Wharton website


Executive Education Programs Taught

Chief Technology Officer Program

This immersive, nine-month experience teaches Chief Technology Officers and other senior-level IT leaders how to become more strategic partners with other operating units within their organization and determine efficient ways to scale their company’s technology infrastructure. The rigorous curriculum includes interactive online sessions and on-campus electives and offers a path to alumni status for qualified individuals.

Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program: Scaling Your Business

This three-month online certificate program provides entrepreneurs with a proven toolkit that goes beyond the idea. Leveraging Wharton’s strength in data-driven outcomes, learn proven techniques for scaling your business including how to build a team, choose the right legal structure, generate demand, and finance growth.

Mastering Innovation: Strategy, Process, and Tools

Academic Director

Create and activate the innovation that drives your organization toward sustained growth. Return to your workplace with the ability to empower and commercialize the tools, technology, and principles necessary to build an architecture that triggers a culture of thriving innovation.