Software firm Perq raises $5 million from tech heavyweights
The company’s founders used millions of dollars in capital from their original company—which offered print and direct-mail services—to launch a software division.
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State’s largest hops grower finds crop is labor intensive but rewarding
Crazy Horse Hops started with five acres of hops and has expanded steadily since. It’s also putting the finishing touches on a warehouse and processing facility.
IBJ Podcast: Why did a hard-core philosopher start a plumbing company?
After earning a master’s degree in philosophy, Jack Hope took the next obvious step: cementing his part-time gig as a plumber into a full-time business. Hope Plumbing now expects to $6 million in annual revenue.
Naptown Thrift founder, hip-hop artist finds success by blending the two interests
Aaron Marshall has used his passion to fuel his business—and the result is Naptown Thrift, a vintage clothing store specializing in the 1980s and 1990s.
IBJ Podcast: How an IU student turned her beekeeping hobby into a star startup
Ellie Symes, CEO of The Bee Corp., talks with host Mason King about being a young entrepreneur, taking risks and pivoting when you have to to make your company stronger.
Five firms selected for tech accelerator’s fall class
Nationally ranked firm Gener8tor has announced the five participants for its gBeta Indy fall class. They range from a company automating emotion recognition for user experience researchers to a consumer app for organizing, editing, and sharing milestone baby photos.
Rosie’s Place takes cookies and more to Carmel
Debbi and Michael Bourgerie opened Rosie’s Place in Noblesville in 2010. They now also operate a second eatery with the same name in Zionsville and will open a third location in Carmel this fall.
Venture Club’s Innovation Showcase is a go
After InXInnovate LTD suddenly cancelled its local event this fall, the Venture Club of Indiana was forced to hustle to re-schedule their annual Innovation Showcase. With the help of The Heritage Group and other corporate supporters, it’s now set for October.
U.S. small business optimism hits highest level in history
Small businesses are increasingly optimistic as the economic expansion enters its 10th year and the Trump administration prioritizes industry deregulation and tax cuts.
Homebuilder snags stables tucked away on north side for subdivision
Westport Homes has made a rare find: 33 acres of largely undeveloped land on West 64th Street in Washington Township. Until July, it was the home of Grandview Stables for more than six decades.
Q&A: Fishers firm uses plants in pods to battle food insecurity
Jonathan Partlow is founder of Fishers-based ag-tech company Aggressively Organic, a company focused on ending food insecurity by innovating agricultural practices.
Who’s in, out in small business tax break? It’s complicated
New rules floated by the Trump administration lay out what kinds of businesses can take a 20 percent deduction against income taxes under the new tax law.
Greenwood-based One Click finds success selling readers, prescription glasses online
Most of the company’s current business focus—and the majority of its revenue—comes from readers.
Small biz buyout activity booms, driving up acquisition prices
For many small businesses, the easiest thing to sell right now might be the business itself.
Couple sells Zionsville software firm nine years in the making
It took four years for well-known local businesswoman Pam Cooper to develop an app to connect cause-driven shoppers to businesses willing to donate a portion of sales to a charity the consumer chooses. It took her and her husband, tech industry veteran Tom Cooper, another five years to build their company into something formidable. It took them a lot less time than that to decide to sell their firm to a much bigger company earlier this year.
Indiana IoT Lab in Fishers helps small tech firms think big
The new tech venue in Fishers gives companies that specialize in connecting devices to the internet the access they need to hardware, talent and capital.
Matthew Neff: Why does even a small, private company need a board?
A good board serves multiple valuable functions. If nothing else, regular meetings require company management to articulate where the company is (performance) and where it is going (strategy).
Acquirer of Angie’s List gets big lift from deal
Nearly 10 months after Angie’s List merged with Home Advisor, the financial fortunes of the combined entity are taking off faster than analysts and company officials expected.
North-side Italian mainstay serving up second restaurant in Yard at Fishers project
The 3,800-square-foot restaurant will maintain much of the menu of the original but add Neapolitan pizza, flatbreads and other elements suitable for lunch patrons.
Local collision repair chain Church Brothers acquired by national player
Church Brothers, which has six area locations, was founded in Indianapolis in 1929 by brothers Noel and Clem Church and remained family-owned and operated for three generations.