I-Core Partnership

I-Core consists of junior-level, undergraduate students studying marketing, finance, operations and supply chain management, and team dynamics and leadership in a block unit. Central to I-Core on the IU Indianapolis campus is a cross-functional, semester-long project in which student teams integrate these disciplines. We invite central Indiana businesses to partner with our student teams to explore new product opportunities. In this partnership, the students will bring fresh perspectives and creative minds, guided by Kelley Indianapolis faculty. The students will benefit from the business partner’s insights and experiences in actual decision-making situations. Each student group works with a business (usually local) to develop a business plan to introduce a new product or service that will meet the needs of their target market while still achieving the objectives of the company and adhering to their policies and values. This includes an analysis of the business, of the target market, customer and business requirements, financial requirements and a final recommendation if the idea should be pursued.

The students helped us come up with other avenues for market and how to position our product. They are so accustomed to our app-based world. We knew they could help us focus strategically from the perspective of users who prefer apps. The students’ creative juices help us think outside the box.Christy Walchle, Vice President at Word Systems, Inc.
I-Core is a unique class that allows students to be creative and gain real-world experience. We have had much success with Kelley graduates joining our internships and training programs. I-Core helps us attract innovative thinkers who are diverse and afford us the ability to shape our business in 2022 and beyond.Angela Williams, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Sherwin Williams
Read about the power of I-Core

Read more about why you should apply

Provide real-world experience.

Not only do students learn how to apply classroom theories and skills to a real business situation, but they also learn to work in groups in a way that mirrors actual business and life situations. In a business setting, co-workers at the same level cannot "fire" other workers who do not get along or complete quality work. The individual needs to learn how to deal with the situation to achieve stated objectives. The ability to take responsibility for their own work, as well as turn a negative situation into a productive one, is the mark of a true leader. To do this effectively, students learn leadership theories, motivational techniques and conflict resolution. In addition, students spend a significant amount of time focused on intercultural communications, so they learn to work with others from different backgrounds and those who learn, process, communicate and work in different ways.

  • A+ Images
  • A+ Tutor
  • Aether Estate Sales
  • AI Innovations
  • Bonfire Training
  • Café Baby
  • CareerSlice
  • Charles Schwab
  • Clif Bar
  • Cook Medical
  • Cox Residential
  • Distinct Web Design
  • Endress+Hauser
  • Equitable Advisors
  • First Advantage
  • FTICNA
  • Gallery Carpet Care
  • GEICO
  • HANDS in Autism
  • IMMI
  • Indiana Realty Pros, Inc.
  • Indy Grills and Outdoor Living
  • Kinney Group
  • Kohl's
  • Langham Logistics
  • LifeShare Technologies
  • Mayer Fabrics
  • MOBI
  • Ninja Zone
  • Penske Rental/Leasing/Logistics
  • PrecisionPoint, Inc.
  • RevolutionEyes
  • RICS Software
  • Rook Security
  • Saks 5th Avenue
  • Sherwin Williams
  • Spot, Inc.
  • Soundspace
  • Syndicate Claim Services
  • Teas Me Café
  • The Art Lab
  • The Hot Room
  • The Ville Restaurant
  • Total Quality Logistics (TQL)
  • Total Restoration General Contractors
  • Track Ahead
  • Venture Logistics
  • Wolfe & Swickard Machine Co.
  • Word Systems, Inc.