A group of people stand smiling at the Polaris headquarters.

Carlson Students Help Polaris Connect With Gen Z Riders

Monday, April 20, 2026

By Rose Semenov

Gaining real-world business experience often means getting your hands dirty. Polaris, a global leader in powersports — from off-road vehicles, to snowmobiles and boats — is no stranger to dirt.

A recent Carlson Ventures Enterprise (CVE) partnership with Polaris put Minnesota Carlson students in the driver’s seat to explore how the Twin Cities-based company can engage with a new generation of riders. CVE is among Carlson’s four Enterprise programs in which MBA and select undergraduate students earn hands-on experience working with real-world clients. In CVE, students work with entrepreneurs and established organizations to develop growth opportunities.

“CVE is a chance to allow yourself to think differently,” says Hunter Thompson, a second-year MBA student who worked on the project along with five other students.

Behind the Wheel

While the student team represented Generation Z — the exact audience Polaris aims to reach — they faced a steep learning curve. Most had little to no personal experience with powersports products.

“At the beginning, it’s kind of daunting when it’s a blank slate, and none of us were experts,” says Nick Golberg, a second-year MBA student.

The students completed research, conducting interviews with fellow students, friends and others to tap into what resonates with younger audiences. From there, they expanded to stakeholders within the powersports community, such as dealerships, sales representatives and even a powersports journalist.

Key Takeaways

Hands-on Learning: Carlson Ventures Enterprise students helped Polaris build strategies to reach Gen Z riders.

Actionable Insights: Students used the Real-Win-Worth framework to pitch new product and experience concepts to Polaris.

Professional Growth: Field research and client pitches elevated Minnesota Carlson students' real-world business skills.

 

Nick Golberg
Nick Golberg

“By being able to get out in the field, talk to somebody who lives and breathes it, me practicing my skills of interviewing, documenting, following up questions and trying to gather key themes was really helpful,” says Golberg. “It also excited me to communicate these findings back to our client at Polaris.”

The students also visited Polaris’ product development center, where trained drivers took them on a test course — providing them with firsthand experience of the powersports products Polaris manufactures today.

Real, Win, Worth

Hunter Thompson
Hunter Thompson

Guiding the students throughout the project was the Real-Win-Worth framework, taught by CVE Director Toby Nord. That foundation provided an assessment lens to guide their creativity into actionable recommendations.

“As we go through our research, we’re gut-checking in our minds: Is this product and market really going to be real? Can it utilize the unique strengths and weaknesses of Polaris, and be a winning combination?” describes Golberg. “Then, they have to pitch this back to their bosses and show the value long-term for the company, and that’s where ‘worth it’ comes in.”

Through weekly touchpoints with Polaris, the students refined their ideas into two core recommendations: a new product concept and a non-product innovation focused on experience-driven opportunities. Both aimed to capture the attention of a younger audience.

Leaving an Impression

That out-of-the-box perspective was exactly what Polaris Senior Corporate Development & Strategy Specialist Cam MacNamara, ’21 BSB, was looking for. A CVE alum himself, he was excited for the opportunity to take part as a client.

“This just goes to show that Carlson creates a community that never leaves you,” says MacNamara. “It’s all connected, and it isn’t defined by when you graduate.”

MacNamara says Polaris intends to leverage the students’ recommendations in its future product strategy. It’s a rewarding outcome that fuels Polaris, the future of powersports, as well as the students’ careers.

“Being able to pull from lessons from the entire MBA program and put it into a project like this was awesome,” says Thompson. “Knowing that Polaris appreciated what we did makes it all the more fulfilling.”

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