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.
Small Business
Articles
IBE business conference event schedule
All business conference events are free; however, seating is limited, so online registration is recommended.
Summer Celebration’s biz conference fits IBE’s economic mission
That might come as a surprise to those who associate the annual event with its higher-profile entertainment, like concerts, celebrity basketball, films and much more. But, in fact, many companies also use IBE’s business conference and exhibitor event to network or access capital.
Angie’s List set for big growth two years after acquisition
Now a part of New York-based IAC’s ANGI Homeservices Inc., Angie’s List is achieving record sales and planning for major growth in Indianapolis.
Growing Mooresville company helps create memorable experiences
Established in 1997, Creative Works designs, makes and installs set pieces and props for a host of entertainment venues, including escape rooms, virtual reality and esports venues and indoor miniature golf courses.
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.
Fountain Square Brewing acquires New Day Craft in move to diversify
The deal, which closed this week, gives Fountain Square Brewing access to New Day’s lines of mead and hard cider as it tries to widen its distribution footprint.
Local real estate firms lead $5M investment in internet provider Xiber
Milhaus CEO Tadd Miller said his firm, which is also a Xiber customer, decided to invest in the company because of demands from his clients for the services Xiber offers, such as home automation.
IBJ Podcast: A startup’s journey from idea to pivot to series A fundraising
120WaterAudit co-founder and CEO Megan Glover talks to host Mason King about the challenges of raising money and whether being based in Indianapolis helps or hurts those efforts. Her answer may surprise you.
Life science companies can learn from failure if they stay flexible, experts say
Endocyte Inc.'s decision two years ago to shelve its own pipeline and look for other opportunities was a difficult call that eventually paid off for investors, its former CEO said Friday at IBJ’s Life Sciences Power Breakfast.
Ball State student’s startup bringing melodies to movies
As someone who has made movies since middle school, Indianapolis resident Von Storm knows the importance—and difficulty—of securing licenses to use music as part of a video production. So the Ball State University senior created License Guru.
Q&A: 120WaterAudit eyes big growth after pivot
Megan Glover started 120WaterAudit in 2016 with the idea of targeting residential consumers nationwide with a water-testing kit that cost $120 every four months. But the company has pivoted to work largely with municipal water utilities and governments.
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.
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.
Angel investor network VisionTech fills need for startup funding
Founded in 2014, VisionTech has seen its membership, or investors—as well as the amount invested by those members—swell significantly in the last two years.
IBJ Podcast: Bill Oesterle’s TMap is asking former Hoosiers to come back home
The former CEO of Angie’s List is using big data and machine learning to try to solve an emerging problem in Indiana—a stagnate and soon-to-be shrinking workforce.
Once a rising star, Wellfount collapses with little warning
The company raised about $50 million and had big plans for its product, Redbox-style vending machines in nursing homes that dispensed medicines for patients.
Uneasy about the economy, some businesses hold off on hiring
Small business owners, especially those who learned hard lessons from the Great Recession about overstaffing, are playing it safe.