ProgramsFall 2025 Industry Capstone ProgramProjectsBuilding a GTM Strategy for AI-Enabled SaaS

Project Title: Building a GTM Strategy for AI-Enabled SaaS

LightRiver

Details
Project Title Building a GTM Strategy for AI-Enabled SaaS
Project Topics Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Data Management Growth Strategy Innovation Inventory Management Market Research Sales & Business Development
Skills & Expertise Data Collection Statistics
Project Synopsis: Challenge/Opportunity
LightRiver is a leading player in the telecommunications industry, known for its innovative solutions in network planning and operations. However, as the market evolves, the company faces the challenge of effectively marketing its next-generation AI-enabled SaaS platform to a diverse clientele. The rapid advancement of technology and increasing competition create gaps in understanding customer needs and developing a competitive pricing strategy. 

The corporate partner for this project is Jim Brinksma. Jim has 25+ years of experience spanning the department of defense, technology start-ups, financial services and telecommunications. He’s launched companies, invested in companies, sold companies, been acquired, helped to acquire others, and successfully survived the Dotcom Bubble, Great Financial Crisis, Crypto Winter, and COVID.
Project Synopsis: Activities/Actions Required
Key activities for this project will include, but are not limited to:

1. Conduct market research through surveys and interviews with potential customers, analyzing competitor offerings and pricing models, and leveraging data management techniques to identify market trends.

2. Utilize analytical tools to synthesize their findings and create actionable recommendations for LightRiver’s GTM strategy.

3. Spearhead collaborative workshops and feedback sessions with faculty and industry representatives to facilitate knowledge transfer and enhance students’ understanding of practical challenges in the telecommunications sector.

The final deliverable will be a comprehensive GTM strategy document, including a pricing model that addresses the identified market gaps.
Project Synopsis: Expected Results
The expected outcomes of this project include a well defined GTM strategy and a pricing model that aligns with customer needs and market conditions. 

  • Students will achieve learning outcomes that encompass strategic analysis, data driven decision making, and an understanding of AI applications in business. 

  • Business value will be realized through actionable insights that LightRiver can implement to enhance its market position and drive growth. 

  • SMART goals include completing market research by the end of month one, developing a competitive analysis by the midpoint, and delivering a final GTM strategy and pricing model by the end of the three month period.

Project Timeline

LightRiver - Building a GTM Strategy for AI-Enabled SaaS
Due Date
Activities
Deliverables
Status
Action
Wed, 08/27/25
5:00 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Getting Started: Complete Your Student Onboarding Form
To help your Faculty Advisor and schedule your weekly team meetings (starting in September), please take a few minutes to complete the form linked below. You’ll be asked to provide your availability, preferred meeting times, and a few key details to help them support your experience this semester.

Please submit your responses by August 27th at 5:00 PM EST.

This is a required first step to get your project team up and running smoothly:
https://forms.office.com/r/USS7WcBcEw
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
View Calendar
Guiding Questions:
To help your Faculty Advisor and schedule your weekly team meetings (starting in September), please take a few minutes to complete the form linked below. You’ll be asked to provide your availability, preferred meeting times, and a few key details to help them support your experience this semester.

Please submit your responses by August 27th at 5:00 PM EST.

This is a required first step to get your project team up and running smoothly:
https://forms.office.com/r/USS7WcBcEw
Tue, 09/02/25
12:00 AM UTC
Welcome to the Fall 2025 Industry Capstone Program!
We’re excited to kick off another semester of real-world learning, collaboration, and innovation! This is your opportunity to work closely with industry partners, apply your academic skills to solve real business challenges, and gain meaningful professional experience.

Be sure to check this dashboard regularly for project updates, important dates, and announcements. Let’s make this a semester to remember, welcome aboard!
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Guiding Questions:
We’re excited to kick off another semester of real-world learning, collaboration, and innovation! This is your opportunity to work closely with industry partners, apply your academic skills to solve real business challenges, and gain meaningful professional experience.

Be sure to check this dashboard regularly for project updates, important dates, and announcements. Let’s make this a semester to remember, welcome aboard!
Tue, 09/02/25
12:00 AM UTC
Academic Calendar
We’ve linked the Academic Calendar for this semester below to help you stay on track. It includes key dates such as university holidays, class schedules, deadlines, and other important academic milestones.

Be sure to review it carefully so you’re aware of when your team meets, when assignments are due, and how your Capstone work fits into the broader semester. Staying organized starts here!

https://www.stevens.edu/office-of-the-registrar/academic-calendar
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Guiding Questions:
We’ve linked the Academic Calendar for this semester below to help you stay on track. It includes key dates such as university holidays, class schedules, deadlines, and other important academic milestones.

Be sure to review it carefully so you’re aware of when your team meets, when assignments are due, and how your Capstone work fits into the broader semester. Staying organized starts here!

https://www.stevens.edu/office-of-the-registrar/academic-calendar
Fri, 11/07/25
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Fall 2025 Midterm Presentation
Required Deliverable
The Midterm Presentation is a key milestone in your Capstone experience. It gives your team the opportunity to showcase your progress, clarify your project goals, and gather valuable feedback from your faculty advisor and School of Business staff. 

This is your chance to demonstrate your understanding of the challenge, the approach you’re taking, and any early insights you've uncovered. Clear communication and thoughtful analysis at this stage will help ensure a strong finish to your project in the second half of the semester.

Treat it as both a checkpoint and a strategic opportunity to refine your work moving forward!

Christina Alwell will coordinate with team leads in early October to schedule the midterm presentations. These will take place in mid-October and early November.

Team Leads: Please upload a copy of your team’s Midterm Presentation here. This submission helps us keep track of progress and ensure faculty and industry partners have access to your work.
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Guiding Questions:
The Midterm Presentation is a key milestone in your Capstone experience. It gives your team the opportunity to showcase your progress, clarify your project goals, and gather valuable feedback from your faculty advisor and School of Business staff. 

This is your chance to demonstrate your understanding of the challenge, the approach you’re taking, and any early insights you've uncovered. Clear communication and thoughtful analysis at this stage will help ensure a strong finish to your project in the second half of the semester.

Treat it as both a checkpoint and a strategic opportunity to refine your work moving forward!

Christina Alwell will coordinate with team leads in early October to schedule the midterm presentations. These will take place in mid-October and early November.

Team Leads: Please upload a copy of your team’s Midterm Presentation here. This submission helps us keep track of progress and ensure faculty and industry partners have access to your work.
Fri, 11/07/25
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Fall 2025 Midterm Student Self Reflection
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Fri, 12/19/25
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Fall 2025 Final Self Reflection
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Fri, 12/19/25
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Fall 2025 Final Presentation
Required Deliverable
The Final Presentation is the culmination of your semester-long work and a chance to demonstrate the impact of your project. This is where your team presents your findings, recommendations, and overall contributions to your industry sponsor and faculty advisor.

It’s not just about what you accomplished—it’s about how you approached the problem, collaborated as a team, and applied your skills to deliver meaningful outcomes. Think of it as your professional showcase: a polished, confident presentation that reflects your effort, growth, and real-world readiness.

Take pride in what you've built and finish strong!

Christina Alwell will coordinate with team leads in late November/early December to schedule the final presentations. These will take place in mid-December (last week of classes and/or final exam period).

Team Leads: Please upload a copy of your team’s Final Presentation here. This submission helps us keep track of progress and ensure faculty and industry partners have access to your work.
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Guiding Questions:
The Final Presentation is the culmination of your semester-long work and a chance to demonstrate the impact of your project. This is where your team presents your findings, recommendations, and overall contributions to your industry sponsor and faculty advisor.

It’s not just about what you accomplished—it’s about how you approached the problem, collaborated as a team, and applied your skills to deliver meaningful outcomes. Think of it as your professional showcase: a polished, confident presentation that reflects your effort, growth, and real-world readiness.

Take pride in what you've built and finish strong!

Christina Alwell will coordinate with team leads in late November/early December to schedule the final presentations. These will take place in mid-December (last week of classes and/or final exam period).

Team Leads: Please upload a copy of your team’s Final Presentation here. This submission helps us keep track of progress and ensure faculty and industry partners have access to your work.

Program Managers

Name Organization