MBV 2027 Dates!
June 27 – July 2
Applications open early December.
MBV is a weeklong business and career development summer camp that brings together students in grades 9-12 to learn business, leadership, and financial literacy skills.
This is a great opportunity for you to network with students, hear from business owners, build skills needed for your resume and future job, learn information you’ll need for college applications, and help you learn about the career you’d like in the future.
At MBV students work in small teams or “companies” to create a fictitious product and business plan that is presented at the end of the session, Shark Tank-style. Other activities include guest keynote speakers, games, mock interviews, team-building exercises, breakout sessions, and more!
MBV is the perfect opportunity for students to learn about the jobs of the future, career skills they will need, develop technology skills, and connect with new people. MBV is open to any student in grades 9-12 in the United States.
MBV is open to all students in grades 9-12 from public, private, charter, and home schools. Camp is $400 for those who register by March 31; the cost rises to $500 after that date. The cost is kept low for all students thanks to BestPrep’s generous sponsors of businesses, foundations, associations, and individuals.
For questions, call 763-233-6325
Did you enjoy MBV so much that you want to come back to camp for another summer? Apply for one of our student leadership roles!
Student leadership roles:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO): This role leads a company of 12-16 students to brainstorm and develop their Business Plan.
Returning Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Communications Specialist (CS): This role involves taking photos at camp, updating social media, writing blog posts, and creating content for BestPrep’s various web, social media, and communication channels.
Operations Associate (OA): This role focuses on camp logistics and making everything run smoothly. Operations Associates will work with the Office Manager to help with the day to day running of camp, including activities, announcements, office tasks, and more.
All of these roles are great ways to build on the professional skills you learned at MBV, and will provide valuable experience for a resume, college application, or future job!
Paid Opportunities:
Intern: This role is responsible for supporting and being an extension of BestPrep staff during the week of camp.
Resume and letter of reference should be emailed to jolinger@bestprep.org.
Dorm Monitor: This role supervises students in the dorms, enforces MBV’s Code of Conduct, and helps facilitate activities. Pay starts at $800 per week.
- “An Entrepreneur Story” – Abenezer Ayana, BraillEazy and Fendesha
- “Crushing It! Presentation Tips” – Eric Forstrom, Wells Fargo
- “Developing Your Brand” – Jim Scott, MONO
- “Dreams to Action” – Markus Flynn, Black Men Teach
- “Dreams to Action” – Jael Kerandi, University of Minnesota
- “Dryvn AI” – Biel Wiel
- “Leadership Today” – Roz Tsai, Wilder
- “Mental Well-Being for Success” – Ezri Farnum, Optum
- “Money and Values,” – Sophie Bera, Gen Y Planning
- “Tips to Presenting” – Jesse Ross, Mr. Jesse Ross LLC
Additional speakers:
- Dessa – Singer, rapper and writer
- Harry Waters Jr.
Create a business and present the plan. It’s a competition!
- Get inspired by entrepreneurs
- Stay engaged in interactive sessions
- Learn about personal finance and how you can get ahead today
- Practice interview skills with real professionals
- Movement/stretch breaks
- Build a resume
- Learn about careers of the future
- Understand your own personal brand
- Practice presentation skills in a team setting
Learn more about MBV and view answers to Frequently Asked Questions, including:
- Who goes to MBV?
- Why should I attend?
- How much does it cost?
- How do I apply?
- How many students attend?
- What do we do during the week of MBV?
- What is a typical day like?
- What do I need to bring?
- AND MORE!
Since Minnesota Business Venture’s inception in 1981, we have had more than 10,000 high school students participate. We at BestPrep (formerly known as Business Economics Education Foundation – BEEF) would enjoy hearing about how MBV impacted you, your education and career.
There are many wonderful opportunities for you to participate and volunteer with MBV or BestPrep’s other programs. Contact us to get involved!
2025-2026 Impact Numbers
Minnesota Business Venture makes an impact annually on the students in the program.
344
STUDENTS
105
SCHOOLS
196
VOLUNTEERS
Connect With Us
Thank you to our 2026 MBV Sponsors!
Day Sponsors
Program Sponsors
•AgriBank
•Bridgewater Bank
•Charles Schwab Foundation
•Choice Bank
•Ecolab
•Emerson
•Flaherty Family Foundation
•Fred C. and Katherine B. Anderson Foundation
•General Mills
•H.B. Fuller Foundation
•K.A.H.R. Foundation
•McVay Foundation
•Schott Foundation
•Securian Financial Foundation
•Travelers
•Wall Family Foundation
•Wings Financial Foundation
Student Sponsors
- Associated Bank Foundation
- Blaze Credit Union
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
- Choice Bank
- Crown Bank
- The Elizabeth and Gregg M. Cummings Charitable Fund
- EY
- First National Bank of Milaca
- First Western Bank and Trust
- Great River Energy
- Highland Bank
- Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation
- Bob and Candee Kaitz
- Margaret Rivers Fund
- North American Banking Company
- North Shore Bank
- North Star Resource Group
- Osaic Foundation
- Premier Bank
- Reliance Bank
- Rochester Commercial Banks – Associated Bank, Bremer Bank, Coulee Bank, F&M Community Bank, Alerus Bank, Minnwest Bank, Merchants Bank, Minnwest Bank, Eagle Rock Bank, Premier Bank Rochester, Sterling State Bank, U.S. Bank, West Bank
- Scale Bank
- Tanya Schmitt
- W.C. Rasmussen-Northeast Bank Foundation
- Judy Wright
- Xcel Energy
In partnership with:
MBV News and Events
Want to volunteer at Minnesota Business Venture? Find Out More