FALL 2025 - SPRING 2026

The International Political and Economic Forum (IPE)

IPE: An annual project in which SIBC teams from all three SIBC schools research, prepare and   present their findings on a current topic of political economy. The judges are the SIBC donors, SIBC alumni and leading industry professionals. IPE is a “friendly” case competition type project in which students will gain invaluable research, executive presentation and teamwork skills.

Presentation Prompt: Amid U.S.–China–EU competition over AI technologies, how can countries balance national security concerns over AI technology with priorities of economic growth, innovation, and technological development? Propose strategies for two firms to navigate the challenges of geopolitical tension and technological sovereignty.

Semanti Web

Company: SemantiWeb, a consumer insights consultancy for fashion, cosmetics, and health and wellness. SemantiWeb analyzes online conversations to uncover who the consumers behind online conversations are and what drives them. By turning big data into consumer insights, the company helps firms understand audience passions, concerns, and communities to better target marketing campaigns. Their work has supported leading cosmetics, luxury, and fashion brands in identifying new growth opportunities.

Presentation Prompt: Assess and understand the current and potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the consumer insights function/industry, with a specific focus on its state of adoption, perceived value, challenges, and its strategic role from the perspective of consumer insights professionals and marketing managers.

Tekiti

Company: Tekiti, a B Corp certified social enterprise based in Jalisco, Mexico, with over a decade of experience facilitating collaborations between artisan workshops and brands from various sectors. Tekiti’s mission is to empower artisan communities through partnerships for sustainable impact, collaborating with 200 artisans in 6 states with over 35 different craft techniques to help promote the fair trade of their crafts.

Presentation Prompt: Design a comprehensive digital transformation strategy to improve the operational efficiency, marketing effectiveness, global reach and societal impact of Tekiti’s business.

Enabled Talent

Company: Enabled Talent, connects inclusive employers with highly skilled professionals with disabilities, amplifying human potential through purpose-driven innovation. A company focused on building solutions that help organizations recognize talent in all its forms, where hiring decisions are based on capabilities and potential rather than assumptions.

Presentation Prompt: Analyze the U.S. market opportunity for talent acquisition and Disability Inclusion/DEI solutions, assessing market size and trends in inclusive hiring and AI-driven HR technology. Provide a regulatory overview covering ADA and EEOC guidelines and relevant state-level DEI and AI laws. Develop a go-to-market strategy targeting corporate, public sector, and nonprofit DEI leaders, recommending partnerships with advocacy groups and identifying key employee partners in major states. Address sales and marketing considerations and a risk mitigation strategy.

Algos AI

Company: Algos AI partners with businesses to design, build, and deploy AI systems that are customized, autonomous, and integrated into enterprise operations. Algos operates under a dual business model, being both a software publisher and a strategic AI consultancy. Their engagement extends beyond providing software to include auditing client needs, designing bespoke AI systems, and providing comprehensive integration support.

Presentation Prompt: Assess the U.S. AI software and consulting market opportunity by evaluating market size, growth trends, and addressable segments, such as HR functions and the hospitality industry, using TAM, SAM, and SOM frameworks to define obtainable market estimates for priority regions at launch. Benchmark competitors, recommend buyer profiles, and map both national and state-specific regulatory landscapes to inform entry. Create a marketing plan with clear U.S. value propositions, tailored positioning, and an entry model while developing a partnership plan with consultancies, cloud vendors, and system integrators. Localize and design digital content and plan events for visibility. Operationally, set a U.S. data hosting roadmap, adapt customer support to American business culture, and outline required security certifications. Provide a risk assessment, propose mitigation strategies, and establish a market entry dashboard for effective execution.

Milene Jardine

Company: Milène Jardine Chocolatier is an artisanal chocolate brand locally made in New York City. Inspired by founder Milène's extensive international travels after a 12-year corporate fashion career at Macy’s Private Label Design House, the brand creates high-quality, travel-themed confections designed to celebrate diversity and heal through natural ingredients. Operating with a focus on fresh, clean, and high-quality ingredients, Milène Jardine tells a global story through unique flavor profiles and modern, elegant packaging.

Presentation Prompt: Design a market expansion strategy to scale Milène Jardine Chocolatier nationally. Evaluate its internal capabilities alongside regional market trends—specifically premium gifting, experiential tastings, curated e-commerce, and brand-led wholesale. Define targeted consumer segments, propose a scalable product portfolio, and map a multi-channel growth plan across B2B corporate gifting, wholesale retail, and direct-to-consumer digital channels. Provide a clear risk assessment, operational resource requirements, and a phased execution roadmap.

San Miguel USA

Company: San Miguel Family Foods is a 4th-generation, family-owned company from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, bringing 60 years of agricultural and culinary heritage to ready-to-eat foods. As Mexico’s #1 brand with $100M in sales, 5 manufacturing plants, and full vertical integration, they are a trusted co-packer for Walmart, Kroger, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods. Holding US FDA, USDA Organic, Non-GMO, and Gluten-Free certifications, they specialize in convenient, high-protein products like bone-broth enriched rice cups and ready-to-eat tamales.

Presentation Prompt: The team will design a U.S. market entry strategy to transition San Miguel Family Foods from a co-packer to a premium proprietary brand, launching 6 initial SKUs in California and Texas. To do this, the team must evaluate internal capabilities against clean-label convenience trends, define localized pricing and packaging, and build a multi-channel launch plan spanning Natural, Convenience, and Costco channels with clear execution KPIs.

Enabled Talent

Company: Enabled Talent is an impact-driven HR technology platform that connects inclusive employers with highly skilled professionals with disabilities. Globally, 1.3 billion people (16% of the population) live with disabilities, yet they face a staggering 78% unemployment rate in North America. Enabled Talent bridges this gap with an AI-powered, WCAG 2.1 AAA accessibility-compliant interface. Its platform features a Voice-First Assistant, an AI Career Coach for neurodivergent talent, bias-free skill screening, and real-time diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) compliance dashboards.

Presentation Prompt: The team will design a comprehensive European expansion and market-entry strategy for Enabled Talent, targeting Spain's large enterprises, public sector, and EU-funded organizations. To do this, the team must evaluate internal capabilities against regional inclusive hiring trends, map Spain's rigid regulatory landscape (such as the LGD 2% quota and the European Accessibility Act), and formulate a localized B2B go-to-market strategy. Finally, the team will establish targeted institutional partnerships, build a sales messaging framework, and present a structured pilot rollout for Madrid and Barcelona, backed by clear execution metrics.

FreeCovery

Company: Freecovery (by SAS Cryosocks) is an innovative French sports-tech startup that debuted at the CES Trade Show with its patented "Click & Freeze™" targeted cryotherapy technology. Designed for athletes seeking rapid muscle recovery, the portable system maintains a uniform cold temperature for 15 minutes without ice or power cords. The business utilizes a high-margin recurring revenue model, featuring a $150 portable machine paired with $15 pressurized cryo-cans (lasting two sessions each).

Presentation Prompt: The team will design a comprehensive U.S. market-entry, brand localization, and launch strategy for Freecovery, targeting the explosive pickleball market, sports clubs, and athletic franchises. The team must evaluate internal capabilities against U.S. active-recovery trends, design targeted focus groups to gauge consumer attitudes, and resolve compliance guidelines for pressurized cans. Additionally, the team will develop a localized pricing model, construct a multi-channel launch plan spanning Kickstarter, DTC, and courtside vending machines, and present a phased operational roadmap with clear execution KPIs.

Buyside

Buyside: An annual project in which SIBC teams from all three SIBC schools research, prepare and present their findings on to address complex global macroeconomic and societal challenges.. The judges are the SIBC donors, SIBC alumni and leading industry professionals. Buyside is a “friendly” case competition type project in which students will gain invaluable research, executive presentation and teamwork skills.

Presentation Prompt: A strategic thesis recommending five high-growth companies positioned to scale rapidly under the modernized capital-access reforms of the bipartisan INVEST Act. Grounded in rigorous financial analysis, our selection intentionally excludes over-funded coastal hubs to highlight fundamentally strong, competitive enterprises emerging from the American Midwest, South, and rural regions. We evaluate each target against strict institutional-grade benchmarks, detailing their defensible market advantages, robust balance sheets, and viable roadmaps toward public markets. Ultimately, this pitch provides an actionable framework for forward-looking investors to deploy capital into high-potential heartland innovators primed for the modernized IPO pipeline.