A Mesa-based biotechnology firm founded by two Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business graduates is giving back to the university in a special way.
BioLab Holdings Inc., founded in 2018 by ASU business graduates Bob Maguire and co-founder Jaime Leija, has donated $2.2 million to the ASU business school.
The bulk of that money will go to the BioLab Sales and Innovation Lab — a facility that will give students an opportunity for meeting with sales organizations and to work on pitches and sales competitions.
“It’s a formal learning lab, which will give students an opportunity to work on their pitches, to be a meeting place for them to meet with professional organizations on campus,” Leija said. “It’ll give them a place to prep, research and practice for sales competitions with other universities. It’ll also give companies like BioLab an opportunity to meet with students who we might want to employ or recruit interns.”
Leija said the lab, which is set to open in fall 2027, will help sales recruiters get a pulse on what business students are learning and what they are prepared to do out of college.
It’s not just the learning center though — the donation also funds scholarships for professional sales students, professional development and travel support, a new biotech sales competition for students, and more.
Beyond any business or educational benefits, both men also wanted to donate this sum to ASU as a thanks for how crucial the university was to helping educate them and help them get their own business off the ground.
Maguire wants to thank ASU but also help the business school enhance the educational experience for future students.
Many of the things that will be taught in the learning lab were not taught or part of the curriculum at the ASU business school 10-12 years ago.
“I wanted to give back to the community and help out future younger students who may not be able to afford to go,” Maguire said. “I paid tuition entirely out of my own pocket...I learned a lot at the school, but I think there were things missing from the W.P. Carey MBA that could have helped with me starting a business.”
For Maguire, it’s a perfect partnership that helps businesses increase revenue and helps the university further educate its students. Both parties reap the benefits.
“They’re true educators. We’re true business people. We always looked at the revenue from the beginning and that’s the key for us,” Maguire said. “If they can train more and more people in sales, that is great.”
To Maguire’s point, Leija said ASU’s business school will be well-positioned in the future thanks to this investment.
Having a physical space for sales training helps students and recruiters alike.
“Giving people an actual physical space, where they can bring people in who are aspiring for those careers, and show them that as part of their education, they have access to a learning lab to hone their skills,” Leija said. “The best programs in the country all have that in common. ASU’s business program manages to be top 10 without it. So I think giving them that support will get them in the upper echelon of professional sales programs in the country.”
Destra Y. Montoya-LLoyd, clinical professor of marketing at ASU, released a statement to the Mesa Independent sharing her thoughts on this investment.
“We are honored to collaborate with BioLab Holdings in creating a cutting-edge sales lab for our students, a dynamic, hands-on space where they can develop and strengthen the critical skills necessary for successful careers in professional sales. Beyond the lab, our students will have access to scholarships, professional development opportunities, travel support, and a new biosciences sales competition. This partnership will also enable us to expand our outreach, working with local high schools to build a strong pipeline for future sales talent. I’m incredibly grateful for the support of alumni like Bob and Jaime, whose dedication has been instrumental in turning this vision into reality.”
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