The School Project That’s Not a Project – It’s a Brand.
An entrepreneurial learning experience that offers real skills, real results, and full CAS recognition – with no risks, no costs, and no limits.
Many studies indicate that a large majority of students desire to learn more about entrepreneurship and business topics at school.
Recognizing this trend, the YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS CLUB – founded by an IB alumnus – was created to bridge the gap by offering a hands-on project called NEVER ESTABLISHED where students can gain real-world experience, one-on-one coaching, practical knowledge, and the guidance they need to start shaping their own career paths.
WE EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS AND FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS
Julian Bennet Vogel
As the initiator of NEVER ESTABLISHED and an IB alumnus myself, I understand both the challenges and the opportunities that come with launching a project like this. Throughout the year, I’ll be your point of contact – someone you can rely on for insights, feedback, and guidance.
MY ROLE DURING THE YEAR:
- Mentor and facilitator – not micromanager
- Support as personal and/or team coach
- Help with mindset, critical thinking, and soft skills
While student teams retain full ownership of their project, I will be available to support both school coordinators and students whenever needed – with insights, feedback, and strategic guidance. Whether you’re stuck on strategy, need help with soft skills like sales psychology or decision-making, or simply want clarity around CAS documentation – support is just a message away.
📬 Email support is always available – and guaranteed within 24 hours.
💬 Need more in-depth support? Book a personal coaching or strategy call directly via my calendar link.
TIMELINE for the School year
FAQ
NEVER ESTABLISHED is a global entrepreneurship experience where IB students create and run their own fashion micro-business – all under one umbrella brand. It’s hands-on, competitive, and fully CAS-compliant.
The business concept is based on Print-on-Demand (POD) services. So there is no need for investing money upfront. But on the other hand the student teams are competing in the real world and will be able to gain real life experiences in the field of business.
The teams must design, market, and sell products that stand out in a highly competitive market. They compete with other IB schools globally to create the most impactful, profitable, or innovative brand line under the “NEVER ESTABLISHED” umbrella.
Students will:
- Reflect and document for CAS validation.
- Conduct market research and develop customer personas.
- Learn how to create a value proposition in a red ocean market.
- Gain financial literacy: cost structure, pricing, profit margins.
- Understand brand identity and storytelling.
- Set up and run marketing campaigns.
- Execute real-world sales, from product page to customer service.
At the end of the academic year the best teams will be awarded in several categories.
The program is designed mainly for IB students, typically in the late MYP or DP/CP years. Schools select or open applications to student teams interested in entrepreneurship, branding, marketing, and leadership.
Yes. The entire journey is designed to fulfill Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) learning outcomes, including planning, reflection, teamwork, and community impact.
Not at all!
Students learn everything they need along the way – from branding and market research to pricing and digital marketing. Curiosity and motivation are enough.
Each team launches a collection under their own sub-brand. Teams are ranked globally based on creativity, revenue, marketing reach, and innovation. Leaderboards are updated during the launch season – starting in January.
Students are supported by external mentors, digital toolkits, and optional coaching sessions on topics like web-development, branding, sales psychology, storytelling, and mindset. Monthly live webinars give deeper insights to specific learning topics which will be recorded for students who cannot participate during the live event.
We provide every participating school with a dedicated team email address. The students would then have access to this account, so that all coach – student communication runs through that channel rather than their private or school emails.
No. The program uses print-on-demand services, so there’s no upfront cost or inventory risk. Students focus on design, storytelling, and sales – we handle the logistics and financial aspects.
Mainly fashion and lifestyle products (e.g., shirts, hoodies, bags) using a sustainable print-on-demand model. Product creativity is encouraged!
The program runs throughout the academic year, typically from August to May, with key phases: setup, strategy, launch, competition, and finals.
All profits stay in the BLEGH GmbH and are reinvested into the project – supporting ongoing costs, taxation, rewards, development funds, and future cycles.
Yes, but these funds are not included in the final profit and loss account and must be declared to the mentoring team.
If a team has a customer who wants to have a very specific product (e.g. removable tattoos) it is possible to deliver if the following steps are strictly taken:
- Research all (!) the costs and the wanted amount of items and send this data to the YEC HEADQUARTERS.
- We will provide you with an offer, you can send to your customer.
- The customer accepts the offer.
- We will provide you with an invoice, you can send to your customer.
- After we have received the payment, you are allowed to place the order for production.
- The items will be delivered to your school (or elsewhere) and you will deliver the ordered items to your customer.
MAKE SURE YOUR CUSTOMER IS COMPLETELY AWARE OF THE PROCEDURE !
Yes, sure!
AI has become a decisive factor in many parts of business life today. Even if you always have to check when using AI, this technology is an excellent source of ideas.
Please check with YEC Headquarters if you want to use a specific AI because we already have a number of accounts with specialized AI´s.