Perils of non-family managers
A former Toyota exec blasts non-family managers for the company’s problems. Are some Indianapolis-area companies better-
or worse-off after families relinquished control?
Entrepreneurship
Articles
Obama’s stimulus aims to boost access to small-biz loans
No incentive can make a bad deal bankable. But President Obama’s stimulus measures are spurring some promising small businesses
to begin borrowing again, despite the recession.
Light in the gloom
More industrial construction is going on in Indiana than in any nearby state.
Underrated entrepreneurs
The Indianapolis area is home to myriad unsung entrepreneurs who run interesting companies, make money and create good jobs.
Here are some of them.
Demand for smart-phone applications spawns opportunities
Smart-phone fever is heating up the climate for innovation in the local tech community, as firms new and old try to cash
in on the demand for applications that can be used on the iPhone, BlackBerry and other gadgets from the likes of Palm and
Google.
High-end audio firm Indy Audio Labs powers up with new hires
An upstart audio products company with offices at Purdue Research Park at AmeriPlex has brought in big guns to launch sales.
Program offers women entrepreneurs their own experts
AthenaPowerLink selects Carmel firm Mitsch Design as the first woman-owned business it will assist locally.
Entrepreneur says quality of venture capital as important as quantity
Jim Pearson knows a thing or two about raising money from venture capitalists. And he has some advice for BioCrossroads:
Teach entrepreneurs the value of money.
Carroll Award winner Dodson helps less fortunate weather adversity
Entrepreneur earmarks 10 percent of profits for charity, honors well-run not-for-profits.
Entrepreneur parlays love of cars into successful media company
Donnie Babb’s Gauge Media Group started in his basement at tortoise speed but now churns out $2 million
in sales with a staff of nine full-time and 15 part-time employees.
Daniels and entrepreneurship
Does Gov. Mitch Daniels’ economic development strategy emphasize job attraction at the expense of entrepreneurship?
Scott Watanabe looks to transform digital textbooks
Watanabe, son of the late Eli Lilly and Co. scientist, has hired investment bankers to help raise $10 million for his business, Encompass Media.
City program benefits veteran-owned businesses
The city’s Veteran Business Enterprise program aims to increase the representation of veteran-owned businesses on city projects—an
effort that has generated $217,000 in contracts for such firms so far.
MAURER: Now is not the time to fear failure
Failure does
not have to mean you’re through. Mistakes are inevitable in all businesses. A better test of the character of someone
in business is how he or she reacts to failure.
Pace of life sciences venture capital deals in Indiana picks up
After no Indiana health and life sciences firms announced venture capital deals in the second quarter, five did so in the
third, and two more have already this month.
Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship program expands
Due to high demand, the Orr fellowship will place 20 fellows starting with its 2010 class. It anticipates
placing 40 fellows in 2011 and 80 in 2012. The program is designed to match top graduates of Indiana colleges with entrepreneurial
companies.
Indianapolis-based FAST Diagnostics gets funding from BioCrossroads’ seed fund
Money will help the company refine its tool to treat acute kidney injury.
Debt collectors try soft approach
Recession forces entrepreneurs to rework bills. Cracking down on small businesses doesn’t help bills get paid faster.
Funding cut jeopardizes popular Indiana Artisan program
A state-run program aimed at boosting business for local artisans—ranging from painters to syrup makers—and
turning them into a draw for tourists is in jeopardy because of dramatic funding cuts.
Organizing armies of volunteers
A company has started to organize logistics for trade associations and other groups that gather for conventions in Indianapolis
and want to "give back" to the city while they’re here.