Cleveland State University Opens Viking Trading Lab

Published on
Viking Trading Lab at Cleveland State

Cleveland State University celebrated the grand opening of its Viking Trading Lab on Wednesday, Oct. 28, marking another milestone for the Ahuja College of Business and Entrepreneurship. The facility gives students access to professional financial technology and firsthand experience analyzing global financial markets. 

University leadership, faculty, students and invited guests attended the celebration, which included remarks, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the new facility. 

Designed to connect classroom learning with real-world financial decision-making, the Lab features Bloomberg Terminals, FactSet and other advanced financial research and analytical tools used by investment professionals, financial analysts and business leaders worldwide. 

Students can use the Lab to analyze market trends, evaluate investment strategies and explore financial data, building practical skills that complement their academic studies. The collaborative space supports coursework, faculty research and experiential learning across finance and related business disciplines. 

“The Viking Trading Lab reflects our commitment to preparing students for a rapidly changing business environment,” said Raymond (Ray) Henry, Ph.D., interim dean of the Ahuja College of Business and Entrepreneurship. “By giving students access to the same technologies and analytical tools used by industry professionals, we are creating opportunities to apply classroom knowledge, strengthen critical thinking and develop the skills employers are looking for.” 

The grand opening caps a transformative month for the College. On Oct. 14, Cleveland State University announced a historic $10 million gift from the Ahuja family and the College's new name, reflecting an expanded commitment to entrepreneurship, innovation and preparing the next generation of business leaders. 

The Viking Trading Lab builds on that momentum and represents a crucial step forward in the College's continued investment in innovative career-focused business education in connecting theory with practice.