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Kabara Insitute for Entrepreneurial Studies

Turn Your Business Idea into a Reality!

Welcome to the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies page! We are here to help students, staff, and faculty across all disciplines in the Saint Mary's community make their business venture dreams a reality! The Kabara Institute can provide a multitude of resources to foster the growth of a business idea, and turn those dreams into businesses. We work closely with the makerspace to test prototyping and product development.

Our History

Dr. Jon and Betty Kabara are the founders of the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at Saint Mary’s University.

A chemistry major at Saint Mary’s, Dr. Kabara later earned an M.S. in Organic Chemistry at the University of Miami, and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology at the University of Chicago.

Dr. Kabara dedicated his life to medical research. He served as a professor at the University of Detroit and later Michigan State University for more than 30 years, and in 1969, he helped establish the first affiliated school of osteopathic medicine at a major university (Michigan State). An expert in the field of dietary fats and oils, Dr. Kabara and his innovative company, Med-Chem Labs, Inc., were awarded 16 U.S. and foreign patents. Dr. Kabara is credited with more than 200 publications, including eight books.

In 2005, Dr. Kabara and his wife, Betty, a former member of the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees, began their commitment to support the growth of entrepreneurship at SMU. Through a transformational gift, they established the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.

A lifelong entrepreneur, Dr. Kabara had this advice for students: “Make ‘ethical business’ more than an oxymoron term. As leaders for the next generation, our country and world need your special talents and efforts to help form a truly peaceful global economy.”

Dr. Kabara, who died in 2011, also encouraged students to have a passion for what they do:
“My final piece of advice is this secret: If you can dream it, you can make it happen. So dream big.”

In 1970, Saint Mary’s honored Dr. Kabara with the Heffron Service Award; in 1998, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award; and in 2008, he received an honorary Doctorate of Ethical Leadership. In 2012 the university recognized Dr. Jon and Betty Kabara with its first Heritage Award for outstanding philanthropy.

One of Jon and Betty’s requests for the institute was that we work to foster entrepreneurship among all students at the university, regardless of their field of study. The institute often partners with various departments such as biology, psychology, chemistry, business, and education to ignite the spirit of entrepreneurship in a diverse range of students from varying backgrounds and interests. One technique utilized is the selection and hosting of speakers and field trips targeting specific student groups. Past speakers have included educational entrepreneurs, music entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, and business entrepreneurs to name a few.

What We Offer

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies is a member of the entrepreneurial network in southeast Minnesota called the E1, Entrepreneurs 1st, that works to provide individuals with the resources they need to start their business. Through the network, entrepreneurs are able to get legal advice, financial guidance, business coaching and more. The E1 is equipped to help entrepreneurs think through, start, and grow their businesses.

Through Kabara, entrepreneurs are also able to utilize the Saint Mary’s Makerspace which is located on campus to prototype ideas throughout the product development cycle.

Events

Wiffle Ball Tournament

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies makes a huge impact with its Wiffle Ball Tournament. This fun and engaging event brings together students, staff, and faculty from all corners of the campus. Beyond the friendly competition, the tournament fosters valuable skills essential for entrepreneurial success, such as teamwork, communication, strategy, and problem-solving. By creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, the Kabara Institute encourages participants to step outside their comfort zones, embrace creativity, and build lasting connections with their peers. This unique event not only showcases the Institute’s commitment to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial community but also demonstrates how even a simple game of Wiffle Ball can spark innovation and inspire future business leaders.

 

Pitch Contest

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies annually hosts a pitch competition, offering students the chance to win up to $500 in prize money. This event empowers students to develop and refine their entrepreneurial ideas, honing their skills in communication, persuasion, and critical thinking. By participating in the pitch competition, students gain invaluable experience in presenting their concepts to a panel of judges, receiving constructive feedback, and learning from successful entrepreneurs. This platform encourages students to think creatively, solve problems, and pursue innovative ventures, ultimately nurturing the next generation of business leaders.

Reverse Pitch Contest

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies hosts an annual reverse pitch competition where departments across campus vie for significant funding to support innovative projects. Students play a crucial role in this event, not only as observers but also as active judges. By evaluating the pitches, students gain firsthand experience in assessing business proposals, understanding market dynamics, and recognizing potential. This unique opportunity allows students to develop a keen eye for innovation, sharpen their critical thinking skills, and connect with faculty and staff working on cutting-edge projects. The competition fosters a culture of entrepreneurship and empowers students to become active participants in the campus’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Our first reverse pitch competition will be taking place in March of 2025. Stay tuned for more pictures from after the event!

 

Ideation Session

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, in collaboration with IgniteMN, ignites innovation by hosting annual ideation sessions. Academic classes, such as the 2023 Conservation Biology course, elect to immerse their students in a dynamic 2-hour session. Here, students are challenged to brainstorm and develop business ideas, directly applying their classroom knowledge to real-world solutions. This powerful partnership fosters a culture of entrepreneurship, empowering students to think critically, problem-solve creatively, and transform their ideas into sustainable ventures.

The Board

Scott Schwalbe – Co-founder and CEO, Nimbelink (IOT Solutions) –History of building profitable businesses and successful teams. Executive Leadership, team building skills and experience, developed in the US Navy (20 Years Active Duty), Prior to founding Nimbelink, Scott held executive, operations and business development roles at Celestica and Logic PD. Scott is responsible for overall leadership of the company focusing on profitable growth.

Meredith Speier has built a career around a passionate pursuit of bringing customers to the forefront. Invigorated by solving consumer problems and seeing opportunities where others see headaches, Meredith has honed the art of “hearing” between the lines. Speier’s unique approach to foundational research lays the groundwork for successful and inspiring strategies by allowing the customer experience to guide the process. In an omni-channel communications environment, Speier keeps the direction uniquely centered on the customer, whether devising a new brand campaign, an audience segmentation model or an engaging new digital experience.

 

Matt Bubala serves as president of Black Dog Radio Productions, Inc, which he founded in 2005. The Chicago-based company syndicates weekend radio programming to stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Current Black Dog Radio program genres include home improvement, pets, and parenting. The company also takes part in website video production and corporate functions. Bubala hosts Good Parenting Radio, a program he also developed in 2005 that addresses a wide range of topics for parents of toddlers to teens and beyond. Bubala and his wife Colleen (Musial ’93) are the parents of Jack and triplets: Michael, Anna, and Tommy. They reside in the suburbs of Chicago. Bubala was awarded the Saint Mary’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award in 2009.

Dan Arnold currently serves as the President of DCM Technologies, Inc. DCM designs, manufactures and markets two proprietary product lines: Industrial Grinders and Automotive Aftermarket Machine tools. Arnold currently holds positions as Chairman of the Board for Digital Telecommunications, Inc (DTI), Chairman of the Board for MinnErgy LLC, Director of Winona National Bank, and Director of PlastiComp LLC. Arnold earned his BSME degree from Iowa State University in 1985, and MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in 1997. Dan and his wife, Jeni, keep active in Winona, MN with their three kids Nick, Cora, and Mary.

Staff

Matthew Klosky

Director of the Kabara Institute and the Makerspace

Assistant Professor, Business Department

Matthew’s background comes out of the technology field, where he spent 20 years in a progressively challenging series of roles.  Starting as a software developer for the department of defense, he moved into the private sector and then management while continuing to focus on technical solutions and projects.  Matthew has worked for a variety of companies and consulted for a diverse set of industries.  He got his undergraduate degrees from Frostburg State University in western Maryland and his Master’s degree from the University of North Dakota in 1995.  With almost a decade of experience as a CIO / CDO for a central Illinois tech firm, he brings a robust toolkit into the classroom to inspire, empower, and elevate the students. He is married to Tricia Klosky and lives in Winona, Minnesota where he tinkers in the shop behind their house.

OFFICE: 507.457.6938 Mklosky@smumn.edu

 

Terra Lieser

Makerspace and Kabara Institute Coordinator

Terra is the dedicated coordinator of the Kabara Institute, making sure the Saint Mary’s community gets connected to who they need to start their business. As the owner of her own small business, Terra offers a wide variety of knowledge on how to start and run a small business. Terra graduated from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with degrees in Biochemistry and Mathematics, and exemplifies what Dr. Jon Kabara was hoping – for students of any discipline to feel comfortable and confident in starting their own business. From forming an LLC, to hiring an employee, Terra is ready to support all entrepreneurs in their business journey!  She is excited to help young entrepreneurs find their path and make their dreams into a reality!

OFFICE: 507.457.1551 Tlieser@smumn.edu

Resources

  • International Franchise Association  — Resources for franchising.

    Start-up Nation — A source for small business advice, venture creation and entrepreneur forum.

    SATOP —  A free service designed to provide technical assistance and speed the transfer of space technology to the private sector.

    Welcome to ESBRI —  Entrepreneurship and Small Business Research Institute. Disseminates knowledge on entrepreneurship, innovation and small business.

    Entrepreneur —  A news and resource aggregate site for many topics related to creating new ventures.

    The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) —  The standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing Statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.

    BizFilings —  Legal documents to help new ventures incorporate or begin partnerships. A list of top web hosting companies.

    eCredit — A leading provider of business information solutions for credit and collections professionals.

    Lime Service —  An online survey generator.

    Business.com —  The leading business search engine and business directory designed to help its users find the companies, products, services, and information they need to make the right business decisions.

    The Rural Development Leadership Network — Supports economic growth and new ventures in low income rural settings.

    Entrepreneurship.org — A collection of entrepreneurial resources hosted by the Kauffman Foundation.

    Business in Books — A blog featuring books on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial themes.

    The world of business in movies — A blog featuring films that incorporate entrepreneurial themes.

    Tim Berry — Talks about everything to do with business plans, starting ventures and having a life, to boot.

    Florida Virtual Entrepreneur Center — Local Florida resources for venture creation.

    Kauffman Data Symposium — Workshops on entrepreneurship and innovation research.

    EshipLaw — A collection of legal references for entrepreneurs.

    Annuity.org — An organization that strives to provide small businesses and entrepreneurs with information pertaining to their financial well-being.

  • Garage Technology Ventures – A seed-stage and early stage venture capital fund.

    NVCA – The venture capital industry’s source for advocacy, networking, professional development and reliable and timely information.

    Small Business Center – Information about small business loans and grants.

    Venture Associates – Information on raising private money, preparation of Private Placement, Memorandums (Reg D), writing business plans, going public and Initial Public Offerings (IPOs and DPOs), business plan outlines, Venture Capital, Venture Capital Clubs and “How To” Books about entrepreneurship. 

  • The American Marketing Association – A collection of scholarly advice and journals for the modern-day entrepreneur and marketer.

    E-Commerce Times – E-commerce news aggregate.

    How to Make a Website – Site Builder Report’s How to Make a Website: The Definitive Guide can help small businesses, entrepreneurs, and various other individuals learn how to create a high quality website through their thirteen part guide.

    Marketing Techie – Newsletter on marketing, innovation, tech, & new ventures.

  • Small Business Co. UK – Advice and useful information about starting a business abroad, setting up a company, buying existing overseas businesses, finding finance or loans and franchise opportunities.

  • Ashoka – An international association of social entrepreneurs.

    CASE – Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship.

    Social Enterprise Magazine – An online resource for social entrepreneurship.

  • Venture Notebook – Tools to help teach business principles.

    Worldshapers – Resources to teach how social entrepreneurship can create a better world.

  • Key4Women – Networking, financing and educational resources.

    Ladies Who Lauch – A networking site for women entrepreneurs.

    NAFE – Articles, advice and forums hosted by the National Association for Female Executives.

    The National Women’s Business Council – A bi-partisan federal advisory council created to serve as an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to the President, Congress and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues of importance to women business owners.

    NAWBO – The official website of the National Association of Women Business Owners.

    Resource Center for Women in Business – Purdue Global’s resource page that highlights notable educational, career support and community resources for women. Also includes scholarship resources, entrepreneurial funding opportunities, business programs and networking opportunities for female business professionals and entrepreneurs.

    Resources for Women in Business – Zenbusiness’ thoroughly compiled list of resources for women in business.

    Womenable – A research, program and policy development consultancy whose mission is to improve the environment for women-owned enterprises worldwide.

    Women Can Do Anything – Resources for business women and female entrepreneurs to start and grow a business, build wealth and boost their health.

    Women Entrepreneur – Get advice from leading women experts from all across the country.

    Women Presidents’ Organization – Promoting the acceptance and advancement of women entrepreneurs.

  • Findlaw  – Resources for small business ventures.

    Free Patents Online – Patent search site.

    Lect Law – Hundreds of links and resources regarding legal issues and the law.

  • Bronwyn Hall is a prolific author on patents and global IP protection and Hall’s website has several links to articles and course outlines for Innovation courses, as well as interesting links to patent and IP data. Overall, a useful starting point for detailed teaching and research background on the subject.

    Arnoud Engelfriet’s website is a useful source of information on IP, patents and the patent process and includes commentary on differences between different national patent systems.

    The Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property aims to empower today’s entrepreneurs with high-quality content on IP, with resources including an interactive ebook, a self-paced online course, and animated video series, and their full undergraduate curriculum.