Student Projects
Each cohort of students creates and manages a business as a group. Throughout the semester they organize the company, create a business plan, apply for a business loan, and manage the business. At the end of the semester all profits are donated to an organization of their choice.
View photos of past IBE companies
| Term | Year | Company Name | Product/Service | Loan Amount | Gross Sales | Donation | Charity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | 2023 | Inner Spark | Candles | $2,905.00 | $15,492.83 | $9,623.87 | West Schell Fund |
| Fall | 2018 | SnoProblem | Windshield cover, ice scraper with discounts | $1,880.00 | $8,820.85 | $6,940.85 | United Way |
| Spring | 2023 | U Mater MN | Hats | $3,425.00 | $13,081.00 | $6,555.27 | Mara's Light |
| Spring | 2015 | M Nice | Hockey stick hanger, sweatshirt, t-shirt, KatoKard | $4,050.00 | $11,189.00 | $6,249.00 | Feeding Our Community Partners |
| Spring | 2024 | Luminescents | Candles, car diffusers | $4,000.00 | $10,815.00 | $5,527.38 | B The Light |
| Fall | 2024 | Sideline Comforts | Trucker hats, bleacher pad, blanket | $6,079.00 | $14,62.00 | $4,915.09 | MSU Athletics |
| Fall | 2018 | MN Comfort | Handmade coaster packs and 20 oz. tumblers | $4,303.00 | $7.810.99 | $4,567.23 | Partners for Affordable Housing |
| Fall | 2023 | Northern Bull | Chopper mittens, beanies | $6,091.18 | $10,390.00 | $4,347.53 | MSU Athletics |
| Fall | 2015 | Kato Nation | Power-up protein bar, long sleeve dri-fit shirt, shaker bottle | $3,931.00 | $4,803.44 | $3,962.54 | Anthony Ford Fund |
| Fall | 2018 | Mind | Long-sleeved t-shirts, stickers | $3,080.00 | $7,041.42 | $3,961.042 | Open Door Health Center |
| Fall | 2015 | Midwest Grown | Terrarium, crewneck sweatshirt | $2,318.00 | $5,378.00 | $3,060.00 | Make a Wish MN |
| Spring | 2023 | Kato Collections | Fanny Packs, Hat, Tumbler | $3,679.80 | $6,550.00 | $3,030.38 | ECHO |
| Spring | 2019 | Riverbend Retailers | Kato themed flags, handcrafted wooden wall décor | $2,300.00 | $4,875.00 | $3,001.22 | Boys and Girls Club of Mankato |
| Spring | 2020 | Noble Ice | Backpack cooler, stainless steel tumbler, collapsiable reusable straws | $4,000.00 | $6,367.00 | $2,826.01 | FOCP |
| Fall | 2022 | Fit Fruit | Hoodies, Shakers, Stickers | $3,700.00 | $6,486.87 | $2,813.76 | FOCP |
| Fall | 2021 | Minnesota Milers | 5K Race Bundle, Loyalty Cards, Beanies | $3,055.00 | $5,719.00 | $2,798.40 | United Way |
| Spring | 2024 | Get a Whiff | Reed diffuser, GOAT soap | $3,382.00 | $5,502.57 | $2,692.26 | American Legion |
| Spring | 2024 | All in Mind | Baseball and trucker hats | $3,842 | $6,000 | $2,686.59 | Leo A. Hoffman Center |
| Fall | 2021 | Chilled Comfort | Cooler Backpack, Everest Tumbler | $3,375.35 | $6,091.96 | $2,646.04 | JZ Cancer Fund |
| Fall | 2014 | MavFam Apparel | Crewneck sweatshirt, long-sleeve dri-fit shirt, basketball jersey | $2,660.00 | $6,385.23 | $2,551.63 | Junior Achievement |
| Spring | 2024 | ibcozie | Unisex sweatpants, men's and women's sweatshorts | $4,000.00 | $6,500.00 | $2,542.91 | BENCHS |
| Spring | 2019 | Great Lakes Lounge | Northern comfort hammock, trailblazer mug, wilderness multi-tool | $3,030.00 | $5,550.65 | $2,520.65 | Habitat for Humanity |
| Fall | 2013 | Winner Wear | Hats, mittens, sweatshirts | $2,200.00 | $4,900.00 | $2,517.78 | American Cancer Center |
| Spring | 2023 | Bull Shot | Darts, PingPong, Cards | $2,765.00 | $5,184.00 | $2,419.00 | CADA |
| Spring | 2020 | Gold Horn | Hydro dipped water bottle, Mav flag, stickers | $2,750.00 | $5076.34 | $2345.55 | MY Place |
| Fall | 2012 | MavNation | T-Shirts, Long-Sleeve Shirts, Coffee Tumblers, Promotional Cards | $2,500.00 | $6,178.00 | $2,307.00 | Junior Achievement |
| Spring | 2021 | True North Essentials | Beach towel, mesh tote bag, mesh hat, can cooler, water bottle | $4,500.00 | $6,775.73 | $2,275.73 | United Way |
| Spring | 2022 | Kato Classics | Crewneck Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, Stickers | $2,810.00 | $5,228.00 | $2,180.00 | VINE |
| Spring | 2016 | Northern Standard | Tornado mug, klitch, glass water bottles, hats | $3,707.00 | $6,426.00 | $2,154.00 | Mending Spirit Animal Rescue |
| Fall | 2016 | Kato Supply Company | T-shirt, koozie, Kato Flag, silipint cups | $3,216.00 | $5,354.00 | $2,136.00 | MN Chapter of Madd |
| Spring | 2016 | Minnesota State of Mind | Hat, sunglasses, beach towel | $2,500.00 | $4,181.00 | $2,057.00 | St. Jude's Children's Hospital |
| Fall | 2024 | IBeFit | Duffel bag, towel, shaker bottle | $5,619.00 | $8,311.77 | $2,054.62 | Ride 2 Remember |
| Fall | 2020 | Minni 'Sota | Beanies, wooden coasters, 2-in-1 tumbler | $2,475.00 | $4,482.42 | $2,007.42 | FOCP |
| Fall | 2017 | MN Native | Retro Maverick t-shirt, 150th MNSU mug, MN Native hat, handcrafted MN LED sign | $3,400.00 | $6,611.00 | $1,972.00 | FOCP |
| Spring | 2022 | Stomper Grounds | Lawn Chair, Can Coozie | $5,801.61 | $7,909.7 | $1,931.72 | United Way |
| Spring | 2021 | Be Kind Clothing | Hoodies and t-shirts | $3,826.00 | $3,014.00 | $1,912.88 | Open Door Health Center |
| Fall | 2022 | Horns Up Mankato | Fanny Packs, Backpack Cooler stickers, Water Bottle | $3,610.00 | $6,935.00 | $1,875.00 | BENCHS |
| Fall | 2019 | Ope Outfitters | Sweatshirt, hoodie, t-shirt, trucker hat, tote bag | $1,000.00 | $5,962.06 | $1,824.72 | Mankato Area Foundation |
| Fall | 2016 | Midwest Made | Hockey style hoddie, baseball t-shirts, copper insulated mug | $4,500.00 | $6,285.00 | $1,785.00 | FOCP |
| Fall | 2024 | Comfort Collection | Candles, wax melts, blanket | $3,029.00 | $4,927.00 | $1,776.56 | MY Place |
| Spring | 2012 | IBE Giving | T-Shirts, Collapsable Water Bottles | $2,500.00 | $3,759.00 | $1,759.00 | Kids Against Hunger |
| Spring | 2018 | Fire Design Products | Sublimated fleece tie blanket, cotton mesh snapback hat | $3,800.00 | $4,520.00 | $1,702.00 | Blue Earth Nicollet County Human Society (BENCHS) |
| Fall | 2017 | Quenching with Quality | Cooler backpack with ice pack, discount cup with keychain, stainless steel cup | $3,400.00 | $7,077.23 | $1,690.73 | FOCP |
| Spring | 2023 | Kato Country | Cooler sling, visor, lawn chair | $2,460.97 | $4,250.00 | $1,670.00 | LEEP |
| Spring | 2020 | Do You. | Lawn chairs, can covers, baseball hats | $3,400.00 | $4,625.00 | $1,652.53 | CADA |
| Fall | 2023 | Evergrowing Co. | Hoodies | $5,700.00 | $9,225.00 | $1,648.00 | MY Place |
| Spring | 2022 | Kato Kaps | Basball Caps, Bucket Hats | $2,940.30 | $4,159.00 | $1,603.52 | JZ Cancer Fund |
| Fall | 2019 | Kato Co. | Acrylic mittens, athletic performance socks, college gameday tailgate blanket | $3,236.00 | $4,325 | $1,531.44 | BENCHS |
| Fall | 2021 | Eco Insights | Minnesota Shaped Bamboo Cutting Board, Bamboo Bento Box with Utensils | $6,000.00 | $3,605.00 | $1,526.00 | Habitat For Humanity |
| Fall | 2014 | MavUp | Winter hat, scarf, and stainless-steel travel coffee mug | $3,000.00 | $6,074.00 | $1,512.23 | FOCP |
| Spring | 2013 | MavStrong | T-Shirts and Tank Tops (Keep Calm and Stomp On) | $1,400.00 | $3,409.00 | $1,488 | Kids Against Hunger |
| Spring | 2018 | Minnesota Chill | Black sling koozie, black captain’s lawn chair | $1,960.00 | $3,115.00 | $1,471.00 | LEEP |
| Spring | 2017 | Northern Edge Outfitters | Shirts, drink bottles, Stomper bags | $3,634.42 | $4,656.20 | $1,355.44 | REACH Drop-In Center |
| Fall | 2023 | 1st Step | Hoodies, shaker bottles | $5,660.00 | $6,115.13 | $1,269.04 | LEEP |
| Fall | 2020 | Let It Glo | Attachable ring light, foldable laptop desk, motivational stickers | $1,050.00 | $2,349.05 | $1,256.35 | ECHO Food Shelf |
| Fall | 2022 | Kato Kozy | Hoodies and beanies | $3,895.00 | $5,005.85 | $1,110.85 | LEEP |
| Spring | 2021 | Safe-T-Sentials | Cooler backpack and safety kit | $3,215.50 | $4,654.58 | $1,007.03 | YWCA of Mankato |
| Fall | 2017 | On the Move | Backpacks, fanny packs, lanyard wallets | $2,408.00 | $3,079.00 | $757.27 | Leisure Education for Exceptional People (LEEP) |
| Fall | 2020 | Deieso | Black and blue hoodies, stickers | $2863.18 | $3,325.00 | $655.00 | LEEP |
| Fall | 2024 | Polar Pak | Ice scaper, window breaker/seatbelt cutter, jumper cables, gloves | $4,420.00 | $5,080.34 | $616.98 | Wheel Get There |
