A new global mini-MBA designed for the AI era delivers practical business skills without requiring professionals to leave their careers

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AUSTIN, Texas — April 7, 2026 — Abilitie, a global leadership development company known for its simulation-based executive education programs, today announced a new chapter for The 12-Week MBA through a global collaboration with TED and St. Edward’s University.

The 12-Week MBA is a part-time MBA experience designed to help professionals build practical business and leadership skills for the age of AI. First introduced in fall 2019 as Invited MBA, the evolved program combines curated TED content, live faculty-led discussions, immersive business simulations, and a global cohort experience. Participants earn a non-credit bearing professional education certificate from St. Edward’s University that provides an onramp to the university's online or campus-based graduate business programs.

“The 12-Week MBA brings powerful TED ideas into the flow of real-world business challenges, helping leaders expand how they think, solve problems, and show up for their teams,” said Darby Coleman, Senior Director of TED@Work.

“Tomorrow’s leaders need more than just knowledge — they need to practice business judgment,” said Bjorn Billhardt, CEO of Abilitie. “This interactive program is designed to help professionals quickly build the financial fluency, strategic thinking, and leadership capability needed to manage and lead modern organizations.”

Alongside a carefully selected cohort of professionals from around the world, participants learn through live online sessions held three days per week while engaging in team-based projects and action-based business simulations that mirror real-world leadership challenges.