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Peter Schnitzler

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Networking key for Heron: Life sciences venture capital firm has invested in four startups

Four years ago, attorney Greg Maurer decided he wanted to try his hand at venture capital. So he began calling everyone he knew in Indianapolis for help. It took several years. But eventually, Maurer attracted a team of experienced venture managers to his side. He also assembled two expert boards: one filled with scientists to help analyze the technical side of new business plans, and another composed of veteran investors to consider their market potential. Maurer, 31, is the son…

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Turnaround specialists in demand: Economy creating opportunities for Periculum Capital, other firms

Even storm clouds have silver linings, if you know where to look. Likewise, even a slowing economy has market opportunities, for those who can adjust. Economists haven’t agreed yet about whether the U.S. economy has slipped into recession. But Indianapolisbased investment banking firm Periculum Capital Co. LLC isn’t waiting for the official call. Known since 1998 for its expertise in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions, Periculum is beefing up its expertise in business restructuring. “Most people who build businesses…

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Gracenote deal has Hoosier DNA

Sony Corp. of America’s $260 million acquisition of Emeryville, Calif.-based Gracenote Inc. this week may seem like a Pacific Rim deal. But it has some Hoosier DNA. Indiana technology entrepreneur Scott Jones acquired Gracenote in 1998 and placed it under his Escient Technologies LLC umbrella of companies. Escient attempted to develop a series of consumer […]

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Homebuyers remain upbeat about investments

Despite the national housing market’s slump, more than three-quarters of U.S. homebuyers remain confident their purchase was at least as good an investment as stocks. That’s according to a new survey released today by the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors. “Real estate is a long-term investment. Don’t buy and expect to make a fortune in […]

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Startup NICO Corp. hopes to commercialize brain surgery device

Economists call it a “virtuous cycle” when successful entrepreneurs plow their gains into new businesses. Jim Pearson calls
it another day on the job. The former Suros Surgical Systems Inc. CEO is attempting to repeat what he already has done: Build
a company to bring a promising medical device all the way from the drawing board to the market.

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A life of hard work, from the farm to the House: Thompson, who has three business degrees, wants to give boost to economically disadvantaged counties

Nearly 30 years ago, former State Sen. Katie Wolf appeared at a “women in politics” conference in Gary. Afterward, Jill Long Thompson, then 25, marched up and asked for advice. Thompson had her sights set on joining the Valparaiso City Council. Wolf offered her phone number. She soon found Thompson waiting on her doorstep, bursting with questions about how a female Democrat should campaign in a conservative, rural area. “What struck me was her determination to win,” Wolf remembered. “After…

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Aprimo shelves $50 million IPO plan

Fast-growing local marketing software-maker Aprimo Inc. is shelving its plan to stage a $50 million initial public offering. Aprimo withdrew its registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in a letter dated April 3. “As a result of the extended weakness in the equity and new issues markets, the Company has determined that […]

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Sales tax will finally settle old police, firefighter pensions: Local government headache now on state’s books

For decades, local governments begged the Legislature to pick up their enormous tab for pre-1977 police and firefighter pensions. Thanks to property tax reform, this year they got their wish. Indiana will use a portion of its 1-percentage-point sales tax hike, which is expected to raise close to $1 billion annually, to underwrite the pensions. The state’s additional yearly expense will be $115 million to $125 million. “We believe the portion of the sales tax pledged will be sufficient to…

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Carmel firm to determine Vonnegut’s worth

Many readers would call the Indiana literary legend Kurt Vonnegut’s legacy priceless. Not Mike Pellegrino. His job is to estimate
future sales of Vonnegut’s work so his estate can be fairly divided today. That means Pellegrino will have to determine whether
the author’s popularity is more likely to wax or to wane in the years to come.

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Purdue economist still optimistic about economy

The U.S. economy hasn’t slipped into recession yet. But it is flirting with one, according to Purdue University economist Charlene Sullivan. Consumer and lender confidence levels will determine the slope of the slide. “You’re in a recession when your neighbor loses his job,” she joked. “You’re in a depression when you lose your job.” Sullivan […]

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Cyberstates report gives Indiana mixed marks

When it comes to a high-tech economy, Indiana ranks 23rd among U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, according to an influential annual report released today. Indiana added 1,700 net high-tech jobs in 2006, the most recent year for which comparative data was available, according to “Cyberstates 2008: A Complete State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology […]

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State approves Marion County reassessment

The state of Indiana is satisfied with the results of Marion County’s property reassessment. This morning, the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance approved the new assessment of local residential, commercial and industrial property values via a letter to Marion County Assessor Greg Bowes. IBJ obtained a copy through a public records request. Gov. Mitch […]

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Schellinger rolls out economic development plan

Democratic candidate for governor Jim Schellinger wants to base economic development on a bottom-up style that includes work-force training, small-business advancement and pushing green jobs and buildings. Schellinger, president of CSO Architects in Indianapolis, is scheduled to unveil his plans at an early afternoon news conference at the Statehouse. IBJ obtained an advance copy of […]

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Tax reform fallout worries biz interests

Property tax reform is now Indiana law. Hoosier homeowners are thrilled. But many corporate leaders grumble the historic deal was brokered on the backs of business. Topping their concerns is the new 3-percent property tax cap for commercial and industrial properties, which they fear will slow business expansions and discourage companies from moving headquarters to the state.

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Flood of appeals expected after rushed biz property-tax assessment

In 2005, assessors valued the 559-acre Indianapolis Motor Speedway at $34.4 million for property tax purposes. According to
the latest Marion County reassessment, it now has a market value of $170 million. Thousands of other businesses also would
see extraordinary spikes in property values, according to an IBJ analysis of the latest assessment data.

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Tech innovator tries entrepreneurship again: iGoDigital software already used by major retailers

Eric Tobias, the IT architect behind Carmel-based online battery supplier Technuity Inc., now is energizing another startup, Indianapolis-based iGoDigital, a fast-growing player in “recommendation” software for retailers. Tobias, 31, was chief technology officer of Technuity, which distributes batteries, carrying cases and electronics accessories. He left the company, once known as Batteries.com, after it was acquired in November by Hauppauge, N.Y.-based Audiovox Corp. for $16.5 million, plus the repayment of $4 million in debt. The deal added $30 million to Audiovox’s…

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Hoosiers moving to the country, study finds

Indiana’s population is migrating to rural areas, a new study shows. Unincorporated areas added nearly 148,000 residents between 2000 and 2006, a growth rate of 7 percent, said the study, which was conducted by the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University. Incorporated areas grew by 85,000 people, or 2.1 percent. The trend was strong […]

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IU follows Purdue lead, overhauls business-development strategy

Indiana University President Michael McRobbie calls it “Innovate Indiana.” His ambition is to corral all of IU’s strengths
under one new branded initiative to boost the Hoosier economy. Purdue University already has leveraged a similar strategy,
promoted with “Go BusinessMakers!” billboards, to national acclaim.

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Telamon on the rebound: Diversification puts Carmel technology firm back on fast track, prevents layoffs

In 2003, Carmel-based Telamon Corp. hit rock bottom. So, founder Albert Chen returned to his roots. Taiwanese native Chen, 63, had spent two decades building his firm to serve telecommunications giants. But when the dot-com bubble burst, the telecom industry tanked along with it. Telamon-then Indiana’s largest minority-owned business-saw its annual revenue plummet $300 million, down from $456 million in 2001. Most managers would have chosen to shrink Telamon to reflect its new reality. But Chen doesn’t do mass layoffs….

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