App’s success leads Don Brown to embrace consumer market
After building and selling three companies and starting a fourth, Dr. Don Brown thought he had seen it all. Even so, he still gets an occasional surprise.
Entrepreneurship
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Noblesville mom sells gluten-free snack mix nationwide
Jennifer Wiese’s gluten- and dairy-free bakery Bee Free makes Warrior Mix, which can be found in 4,000 stores across the country, now including Walmart.
IU creates institute on entrepreneurship
The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University has established the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Competitive Enterprise within the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Startup claims breakthrough in gauging pain
MindX founders think they’ve found a scientific way to measure pain and other hard-to-quantify mental health conditions, such as suicide risk, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Local company seeks to make Midwestern fans of kombucha, which is trendy on coasts
Indianapolis-based beverage maker Circle Kombucha wants to sell its signature product—carbonated, fermented tea—throughout the Midwest.
Startup accelerator seeks locations to expand statewide
Wisconsin-based Gener8tor, which seeks to helps fledgling companies boost revenue and grow jobs, said it’s one-year pilot program in Indianapolis was so successful that it wants to spread its services to additional Hoosier communities.
Tax credit change poised to boost supply of venture capital from out of state
Indiana startups might soon have an easier time attracting out-of-state investments thanks to a change lawmakers made this year to an instrumental tax incentive program.
Bloomington soap makers call themselves ‘equality extremists’
Three former Indiana University roommates are trying to prove a business with socially responsible, equitable business practices can be successful in a dog-eat-dog world.
Bloomington-based Oliver Winery now sells in 27 states
Company’s emphasis on sweet wines has helped make Oliver the largest Hoosier winery (by far) and the 44th-largest in the United States.
Once-dilapidated far-east-side shopping center to become home for retail startups
Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, a far-east-side building that was on track for demolition is set to emerge as a retail-startup hub that supporters say could revitalize a neglected part of town.
Notre Dame getting $42.4M to accelerate regional innovation
The 5-year grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. aims to further advance Indiana’s northwest region as a leader in manufacturing, entrepreneurship, applied analytics and technology.
Startup showcase growing in lockstep with agbioscience sector
AgriNovus Indiana’s Ag+Bio+Science Startup Showcase is growing faster than a corn stalk in June.
In its third year, the showcase attracted a record number of attendees, sponsors and participants for its pitch contest.
Q&A with Todd Saxton, IU entrepreneurship professor
This month, Saxton took on an additional position—vice president for business development at Regenstrief Institute, a medical-research organization based in Indianapolis.
Local tech startup aims to reinvent currency exchange market
An Indianapolis-based startup is aiming to reinvent the currency exchange market by connecting international travelers directly to the currencies they need.
Entrepreneurs using south-side food makerspace to create businesses
The Food Beauty Center, a new food-focused makerspace in Garfield Park aims to serve entrepreneurs two ingredients for success—collaboration and commercial kitchen space.
Little Nugget app turning into big business for new entrepreneur
Carrie Griffith thought there would be a demand for her photo editing and cataloging app, Little Nugget, which she developed during her first child’s nap time. But even she has been surprised at how quickly her new business has grown. Now she’s looking for funding to speed up growth even more.
Community centers land funds to expand job-training programs
Local Initiatives Support Corp. and the Citi Foundation are providing $700,000 to four local organizations who plan to help 700 workers in Indianapolis find quality jobs.
Venture firm invests $8.3M in local startup with fat-replacement product
Indianapolis-based Epogee LLC has developed a fat substitute to reduce the calories in sweets and other comfort foods. The new investment will allow the firm to scale up.
IU fuels startups with new program to help faculty, staff with business ideas
Indiana University has launched a support program at all its campuses that school officials hope will lead to an onslaught of startups coming out of the school.
Small firms put out for-sale signs
In central Indiana and nationwide, a number of small companies are changing hands right now—and for a variety of reasons. Among them: a strong economy, plentiful buyers and an aging population of owners who are eyeing retirement.