Built by Bison: Student Made marketplace launching at NDSU
NDSU's Center for Entrepreneurship and Family Business is preparing to launch a new Student‑Made marketplace in Fall 2026, creating a unique platform for students to design, produce and sell original products while gaining hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership and business operations.
The Student-Made marketplace will showcase products created entirely by NDSU students, from apparel and accessories to art, home goods and more, providing a real-world business environment that connects classroom learning with practical application. The initiative is designed to support student entrepreneurs at every stage, from idea development and branding to production and sales.
“The Student‑Made program is an amazing partnership that will help empower students to turn creativity into opportunity,” said Ryan McCollum, program coordinator for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Family Business. “By launching this marketplace at NDSU, we’re giving students a chance to build something tangible, collaborate across disciplines and develop professional skills that will serve them long after graduation.”
Student‑Made programs at universities across the country have proven to be powerful experiential‑learning models, allowing students to operate within a structured, university‑supported marketplace while maintaining creative ownership of their work. At NDSU, participating students will gain experience in product development and sourcing, branding and marketing, financial literacy and pricing strategies, and team leadership and project management.
The Student-Made marketplace will include both an online store and rotating pop‑up events, providing multiple opportunities for students to sell their products and connect directly with the campus and broader community.
Call for student creators and leaders
As planning begins, NDSU is actively recruiting students interested in becoming founding creators, student leaders and collaborators for the Fall 2026 launch. Students from all majors and backgrounds are encouraged to get involved, with no prior business experience required. Opportunities include selling original products through the Student-Made marketplace, serving in student leadership roles connected to marketing and operations.
The Student Made marketplace aligns with NDSU’s commitment to innovation, applied learning and student success. By combining creativity, commerce and collaboration, the initiative aims to foster an entrepreneurial culture that reflects the talent and ingenuity of NDSU students.
Additional details about participation and launch events will be shared in the coming months, but students are encouraged to apply now to get involved in the early stages of the program by visiting the Student-Made website.