Student Industries

A Statewide Network for School-based Enterprises

Conexus Student Industries is a statewide program that strengthens the impact of School-based Enterprises, preparing more high school students for careers in the advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) industries. This program benefits students interested in advanced manufacturing and logistics and industry looking to grow their talent pipeline.

How it works Get Involved

What is a School-based Enterprise?

A School-based Enterprise (SBE) is an in-school entrepreneurial business which is managed and run by students. Their work mimics the work of Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries and gives students real-world experience in AML. Students serve in roles ranging from marketing and graphic design to manufacturing and distribution. 

How It Works

Connect

Conexus Indiana hosts Student Industries Council meetings throughout the year, where students and educators from across the state meet, share ideas and empower one another to build and deploy better in-school and hands-on experiences. It’s also an opportunity to learn from industry leaders and be introduced to valuable resources outside of your school district.

Engage

Each year, students will be challenged to demonstrate their skills during Conexus Student Industries Case Competition. The annual competition brings together student-run businesses from across the country for an opportunity to showcase their teamwork and problem-solving skills while being judged by top industry leaders.   

Engage

Each year, students will be challenged to demonstrate their skills during Conexus Student Industries Case Competition. The annual competition brings together student-run businesses from across the country for an opportunity to showcase their teamwork and problem-solving skills while being judged by top industry leaders.   

Enhance

Annual support grants will be awarded to qualifying student-run businesses. Indiana School-based Enterprises can apply for Conexus Student Industries funding to support wages for summer operations, the purchase of enterprise equipment or raw materials, the creation of marketing materials and more.  

Opportunities for Industry

Let’s Support Student Industries, Together

For industry, being connected to your local high school could be one of the smartest workforce development moves you make. Companies that get involved with School-based Enterprises often have unprecedented access to young talent who could be part of their future workforce. 

We understand that every professional has unique interests, skills, time and resources. That’s why we aren’t taking a one-size-fits-all approach. We’re looking for industry leaders who want to support local students and educators in a variety of ways –from opening their doors for behind-the-scenes visits for students to joining a Conexus Student Industries Council meeting to share insights with educators and beyond.

If you want to discuss how you can help build the future leaders of advanced manufacturing and logistics in your community? We can help.

Contact us today

Success Stories from Indiana Student-run Businesses

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School-based enterprises deliver the goods – in many ways 

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Supporting school-based enterprises is an investment in your future workforce

Being connected to your local high school could be one of the smartest workforce development moves you make. One program, in particular, is well worth your investment: school-based enterprises (SBE), which give students opportunities to operate small-scale manufacturing firms from within school walls.  

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The Uplands Region: A model for other School-based Enterprise networks

Several months ago, Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) brought together seven school-based enterprises (SBEs) from across the Indiana Uplands region, allowing students, advisers and administrators to share best practices while also connecting with area business owners. What came from the first “Uplands Made Network” convening was a blueprint, of sorts, for how to drive successful partnerships between schools and local companies through student-run businesses.

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Not sure where to begin?

Email Kyle Marshall, Sr. Director of K-16 Education, at kmarshall@conexusindiana.com to get started.