Indiana Export Accelerator Program.
Seven companies were selected to participate in the 12-week program during the summer of 2024. Two companies, Lafayette Instruments and TLC Candle Co., hired interns with support of IU CIBER. Feedback on the program was positive:
“Over the summer TLC Candle Co. was fortunate to be one of the small businesses invited to participate in the export co-hort. Due to the time demand this program requires in research in combination with a lean team, it was beneficial to add an intern for the project. We hired Grace Alexander, a student at Ivy Tech in Anderson. Together, Grace and I (owner) went through the intense program. We identified international markets where our product would potentially be successful. Those markets are Canada, EU and Australia. At the conclusion of the twelve weeks, we were invited by the US government to be one of ten companies to present at the Sydney Gift Show in February ’25. This opportunity would not have been possible without the help and dedication of an intern. Moving forward we hired Grace full time as we prepare to update packaging, website and sales pieces for Sydney.” ~Tami Crawford, TLC Candle Co.
“During Emma’s time with LIC she excelled as a self-starter. During her time, she was instrumental in the creation of our OSS-3 user technical manual for delivery to the National Security Agency (NSA) for use in their polygraph procedural training. She worked diligently on our export accelerator project working to complete our internal analysis for market penetration into India & Indonesia for our new LXCAT product launch. While conducting research for this initiative she worked cross-functionally with our product managers, engineering and sales teams to develop a thorough Five Forces and VRIO framework to analyze our competitive landscape. Finally, she bolstered our marketing and sales teams communication templates to allow for better information dissemination to our global clients.” ~Nichole Ricker, Lafayette Instruments
KSB Institute for Social Impact Internship Support.
Ten KSB students participated in international internships through the KSB Institute for Social Impact; two students with Global Mamas in Ghana, two with Ninos de Guatemala, two with Puente Desarrollo Internacional in the Dominican Republic, three with Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care in India, and one with Roots Interns Supreme in Malawi. Student feedback on the experience was positive:
“During my internship, I planned an educational outreach event for 1,191 Malawian students at 12 different schools. I learned financial management and nonprofit event management. I’m very thankful for the CIBER funds, which supported my internship and my learning. Through this internship I’ve gained business and intercultural skills which will help me in my professional career.” ~Sophia Trinkle, Hamilton Lugar School 2025
“My experience working for Global Mamas in Ghana this summer was an outstanding experience. I learned so much, grew as a person, and was able to make a big difference for those that are less fortunate. The scholarship from the CIBER group as well as the multiple other scholarships I received extremely helped to enable me to participate in my summer internship. My summer experience will also help me significantly with my resume and in landing a job after college. I got to learn a lot about business and take what I learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world and to very important endeavors.” ~Ethan Dangelewicz, Kelley 2025
“This summer, I was able to intern with Niños de Guatemala as a Business Intern located in Antigua, Guatemala. My experience in-country was characterized by professional development opportunities coupled with cultural immersion. During my time there, I was able to assist in making five sustainable, financial literacy plans for specific Guatemalan families – all while learning more about the beautiful culture Guatemala had to offer. For two months, delving into the weeds of how I could assist each individual family while taking into consideration not just their specific needs and desires, but capabilities and strengths as well. To become more well-versed in learning about the socio-cultural and environmental factors within Guatemala, I conducted several meetings with my co-workers, local Guatemalan middle school principals, and market research in the surrounding towns of Antigua. From this experience, I learned a lot about not just how I could make a tangible social impact on a community, but also how I could continue identifying additional opportunities in other communities as well. From the start of my internship, I was given autonomy in regards to a prospective timeline for key deliverables to be completed, methodology in achieving the tasks, and scope of the project itself. Through keeping stringent records and meeting with the principals of several Guatemalan schools, I was able to create and follow a timeline throughout the course of the two months. This experience was incredibly valuable in teaching me the value of independence, while still maintaining effectiveness and being efficient in a professional environment.” ~Emily Sun, Kelley 2026
“As a Kelley School of Business student majoring in finance and international business, the opportunity to intern through KISI allowed me to experience business from a unique country’s perspective. Their business priorities, cultural differences, and overall lifestyle opened up my mind to the importance of being open-minded to the benefits of different work environments beyond the United States, as well as how I could improve as an individual who was accustomed to the American work lifestyle. This internship focused on data analytics and pricing strategies for Puente Desarrollo Internacional’s data collection and management platform using research, analytical, and revenue projection skills to renovate their five pricing plans. We were able to assist this nonprofit in minimizing costs and maximizing its ability to offer effective assistance after reintroducing sales. Furthermore, by using the data collection and management platform, I was able to utilize advanced Excel formatting and formulas to determine which residents in a specific neighborhood required bathroom access ultimately using filtered data to assist more than fifteen households with a customized bathroom project for their community. Being able to work closely with the CEOs of the company, as well as working with a diverse group of individuals native to the Dominican Republic challenged me to work on my analytical and collaboration skills and pushed me even further to prove myself as an intern and as a student from the Kelley School of Business. Not only was I able to make an impact in creating entirely new pricing strategies for the company to use, but I was also able to make a permanent impact in local Dominican communities by providing them with household necessities through data analytics. I carry these international business skills with me each day, reminding myself in every group that each individual has completely different lifestyles and work ethics unique to their talents and success.” ~Rebecca Franco, KSB 2026
Faculty/Staff Development in International Business.
Funds were allocated to support one faculty partner to participate in an FDIB. IUNW declined the opportunity. Lauren Pellegrino from Jefferson Community & Technical College participated in George Washington CIBER’s FDIB to Scandinavia.
“This program was an amazing experience. Along with several other international business faculty around the country, I was able to engage with innovators and advocates in Sweden with particular attention to sustainability, global climate awareness, and clean energy innovations. We met with several organizations who have been and are continuing to work on supporting “energy security” for Sweden and other parts of the world as the overarching goal remains to move away (albeit slowly) from a strong dependence on damaging emissions-producing fuels. Throughout the program, we heard from government leaders, university incubation hubs, non-profit organizations, and private companies working on these efforts in a highly coordinated way across a highly complex global landscape. We learned about several technologies including hydro-electric power, solar power, nuclear power, and battery power/alternative electric technologies. Each organization discussed in detail the opportunities and challenges in leveraging these innovations for domestic (Sweden and Europe) and global use – regulations, political will, resource constraints, infrastructure challenges in both developed and developing countries, etc. We learned a great deal about Sweden and how the country – while rich in resources and innovation – has its own challenges in terms of the size the country in relation to the population and how it relies almost exclusively on being an export economy. I have been able to share these rich learning experiences with students and have implemented small discussion projects in my classroom to encourage students to learn more about the unique economic and climate-centric landscape of the country and share how those attributes of the country inform their understanding of the US economic landscape and our approach to solving (or not) these pressing issues. As a side note, I can’t say enough about the GW team who led this program. They were incredible. The schedule was packed but full of informative and rich experiences. They were also very fun and well informed of Sweden and its culture, so we had many opportunities to learn beyond the business aspects of the country and understand how the cultural history and current norms contribute to the bigger picture of social programs, business, economics, and government policies. And, we had a lovely dinner boat outing on the Baltic!”
KSB Study Abroad Support.
Two KSB Bloomington students were supported to participate in D272: Global Business Immersion – International Business Management: Doing Business in Poland.
“I am incredibly grateful for the CIBER scholarship, which alleviated my financial burden and enabled me to focus fully on my study tour. Thanks to this scholarship, I had the opportunity to travel abroad, collaborate with international students, and explore the beautiful cities of Warsaw and Krakow through walking tours, museums, and various activities. I encountered the challenges of uniting a diverse group with various cultures, opinions, and backgrounds, and I also discovered the beauty of this diversity. I learned the importance of cultural sensitivity, the value of diverse perspectives, and the need to adapt to different communication styles and business practices. This experience highlighted the importance of flexibility and open-mindedness in international business, greatly enriching my perspective on working in a global environment.” ~Olivia Tribolet, Kelley 2026
“My visit to Poland was probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. A lot of what I saw and experienced there confirmed what I learned in my class. For instance, I immediately noticed the unique design of bottle caps we had discussed, which was a helpful thing that we learned in class because I would have kept tearing the cap off. Also, interacting with the college students highlighted many cultural differences that aligned with our discussions about business characteristics. Most Americans are outspoken and headstrong when working on a project, but Polish students are more reserved and collaborative.” ~Leona Vaughn, Kelley 2026
KSB X271 Collaborative Online International Learning.
The first class was offered in the second eight weeks of the spring 2024 semester – D271 Doing Business in Latin America taught by Erica Kovacs and Analilia Silva from the Management and Entrepreneurship Department with 51 students in conjunction with Tecnológico de Monterrey.
“The COIL experience was an enriching while insightful experience, providing a unique opportunity to collaborate with students in Brazil and Mexico. Throughout our time together we presented our respective proposals and engaged in social discussion about other cultural differences regarding our hobbies and interests. Working with students who have different educational approaches and life experiences enriched the dialogue and fostered a deeper appreciation for international collaboration.” ~ Conor Shewey, Kelley 2026
“Participating in the COIL experience was very beneficial, offering a deep exploration of various aspects of Brazilian and Mexican culture, society, and systems. Through discussions on topics ranging from political environments to economic landscapes, from cultural practices to educational systems, I gained invaluable insights. Conversations went into the political structures of both countries, including discussions on government power, political ideologies, and current affairs, providing context for understanding their respective political and economic climates. Furthermore, our discussions involved culture, where we explored diverse traditions, values, and customs unique to Brazil and Mexico. From discussions on cuisine, festivals, and art to examining societal norms and values, I acquired a deeper appreciation for the rich cultural vibe of both nations. Additionally, insights into the education systems shed light on the approaches to learning and development in Brazil and Mexico, informing our understanding of the challenges and opportunities within their educational landscapes. Additionally, the COIL experience proved invaluable in gathering crucial information for our final presentation. Our discussions on government regulations, economic environments, and investment practices provided crucial context for our project on establishing a firm to assist youth in retirement and pension investment. The knowledge shared by our Brazilian and Mexican friends equipped us with valuable perspectives and data, enriching our presentation with real-world insights and considerations. To conclude, I would just like to add that I also enjoyed getting to know them on a more personal level! For example, discussing our favorite Mexican candies or favorite soccer (futbol) team. Overall it was a great experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it.” ~ Jordan Simon, Kelley 2026
KSB Ph.D. Program Collaboration.
Six Kelley PhD students were awarded funds to support their research.
“As a fourth-year PhD student, I invested most of my time and effort into my dissertation. I was in a tough spot with my dissertation early this year, I needed some industry data to keep my research going. With limited research funds, acquiring this data seemed out of reach. CIBER’s funding opportunity appeared, and I got the chance the purchase the data I needed. It not only enabled me to purchase this essential data, it also opened a new research agenda for me. Right now I am using the data for my dissertation and sharing it with my coauthors to work on new projects, one of them is a working paper now. CIBER’s contribution was truly a game-changer for my research, and I am really grateful for this. I hope CIBER will continue to support PhD students like me in the future.” ~Ningning Guo, IU Ph.D. Student
“The $950 covered my registration for the Babson research conference held in Munich this year. At the conference I was able to present research from my dissertation on entrepreneurial vision. Without the CIBER funds, I’m not sure I would have been able to attend the conference at all, so thank you!” ~Joel Adams, IU Ph.D. Student, 2024
“The CIBER fund was a great help for me to attend the Marketing Science Conference in Sydney this year, where I joined the PhD Consortium and presented a very exciting project. Since the conference was on the other side of the globe, it was costly; but I was very thankful to receive the CIBER funds to meet new people in the field and discuss projects with various scholars all around the world.” ~ Peter Chae, IU Ph.D. Student
“The CIBER funding enabled me to attend the AIB conference and present my paper in South Korea. It offered a valuable opportunity to share my knowledge and network with international scholars. Without this financial support, participating in such an important event as a doctoral student would have been very challenging. I am truly grateful for this assistance.” ~ Yejee Lee, IU Ph.D. Student, 2025
Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Support Program
The funds allocated to Pierce Aerospace for summer international travel were unused. Instead, TLC Candle Co. received funding to participate in an international trade show in Seattle.
“During the export cohort we narrowed in on our target market. Knowing the TLC Candle Co. brand is focused on self care and relaxation, we decided to market more specifically to the spa and hospitality industries. Through our research we identified Live Love Spa as a wholesale market niche in the spa and hospitality industries. There are a few international focused events. Two events are focused solely on Marriott and Four Seasons spa internationally. An additional event is held in Toronto to focus on Canada spas. One event is based in Fiji to reach island spas. After talking with Live Love Spa we understood it was important to get our foot in the door this year because they only allow two candle brands per event. We took the opportunity to attend the Seattle show to start building a relationship with this market. To my surprise we met several hotel spa directors, namely from Four Seasons and Fairmont. We were approached by a distributor from Canada regarding carrying our brand. We met dozens of spa buyers over the course of two days. We are seeing wholesale sales come in from the event. Without the grant we would not be in the position to grow in our niche market now or in the future without compromising other aspects of the business plan.” ~Tami Crawford, TLC Candle Co.
Summer Language Workshop.
Two KSB students were awarded funds to participate in Mandarin and Japanese courses during summer 2024.
“During the workshop I was able to receive constant and precise feedback on a variety of topics covering grammar structure, vocabulary, and enunciation. I wish I could enroll in the language workshop again as the experience of the class and the extra cultural events taught me many more things I didn’t know about dialects and festivals all over Japan.” ~James Podell
“The IU Summer Language Workshop was a highly intensive and enriching experience that helped me to make impressive gains in my language acquisition and abilities. Starting back in June, we jumped right into the immersion with our language pledge. This language pledge forced us to use our language skills as much as possible, practicing inside and outside the classroom. We had classes every weekday where we practiced and reviewed the textbook. This proved vital to language development as the teachers are phenomenal at pulling the different language aspects together. Additionally, we had the opportunity to participate in clubs after classes had ended. There was cooking, wellness, board games, dance, and many more, where we learned just a little more about Chinese culture. It was thanks to the CIBER Scholarship that I was able to afford this experience that will forever impact me. I can confidently say that my Chinese improved extremely quickly, allowing me to reach my language goals for this summer which the CIBER Scholarship helped me accomplish.” ~Kelsey Clouse
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