Out-of-state firms are sweeping up Indiana’s tech startups. Is that a good thing?
Experts are mixed on whether the buyout barrage is cause for concern or validation of success.
Small Business
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Daniel Jones, like his famous father, isn’t afraid to sling stones at giants
He thinks his ride-share company, Bloomington-based Nomad Rides, has a unique business model that can carve out market share from goliaths Uber and Lyft.
Startup Woven removes resume from hiring process
Woven bills itself as a software company that helps high-growth engineering teams hit ambitious hiring goals. And it recently hit one of its own: closing on its first round of funding.
Fast-growing DoubleMap, maker of transit software, merges with Utah company
The Indianapolis company, formed in 2009, makes apps that allow users to track buses in real time and hail rides on demand. It is merging with Ride Systems LLC to gain more users and build market share.
Indy tech firm Encamp grows by making environmental compliance easier
When Goshen native Luke Jacobs, an environmental scientist and self-taught techie, developed software to streamline his job, he got a tepid response from his employer. Displeased, he tapped his brainiac brother and equally smart Indiana University classmate to start their own firm.
Denison Parking acquires boutique valet firm in effort to expand business line
Purchase of SOPHI Global gives Denison a new subsidiary and adds Lucas Oil Estate and numerous downtown destinations to its valet holdings.
Tech veteran Qualls leaves Eleven Fifty Academy to launch Purpose.ly
The startup, which has been operating under the radar for several months, aims to connect companies and workers who share a common mission or purpose.
Indianapolis-based Contour Hardening has new leader, huge growth plans
The small manufacturer in the niche metal heat-treating industry has a new CEO, a new outlook and plans to more than triple annual revenue in five years.
Circle City Industrial Complex lands big loan for updates
The old industrial building, which has about 130 tenants, has been in redevelopment mode since 2015.
Elevate Ventures makes 3-year investment commitment to Bloomington, Columbus
Elevate Ventures, Bloomington-based incubator The Mill and the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday announced they have entered a three-year agreement to invest $2.5 million to bolster the entrepreneurial ecosystems in Bartholomew, Brown and Monroe counties.
Restless retiree rebuilds storied speaker brand
In the little less than two years since Dave Kelley bought KLH, the company has developed more than a dozen new audio products.
Gallery Pastry Shop to open second, larger location
The pastry shop, which opened its Broad Ripple business in 2016, plans to open another location in 2020 in a new building in the Old Northside neighborhood.
Small manufacturer’s custom scents amass sizable sales
The handmade products of Indianapolis-based Ambre Blends are racking up big sales gains nationwide among high-end clientele.
Butcher, brewery team up for retail, lounge combo on College Avenue
Columbus-based Savory Swine and Indianapolis’ Cannon Ball Brewing Co. are collaborating on a plan to occupy the century-old downtown building that formerly housed 501 Tavern.
Firms could hire marginalized workers to keep economic growth humming, expert says
The unemployment rate is so low that the U.S. economy risks slipping into recession due to lack of labor. Businesses should consider hiring ex-offenders and other prospects that they previously have avoided, according to a chief economic strategist for Fifth Third Bank.
Q&A: Entrepreneur’s fitness firm off to healthy start
Since starting his own personal training business while attending Indiana University, 30-year-old Tyler Davis has helped hundreds of clients stay on top of their game. His new startup focuses on clients who travel a lot.
Home-products e-tailer offers one-stop shopping
Matt Phillips of Zionsville spent 13 years working in retail before leaving the corporate world to launch his own online retailer last year.
Allegion, Heritage among corporations leaping into venture investing
A wave of corporations in central Indiana is creating venture capital arms, pushed partly by the desire to join the technological movement.
University researchers make discoveries count as entrepreneurs
A few influential “serial entrepreneurs” in Indiana universities feel an itch to turn their discoveries into products and companies, over and over again.
Perceivant’s digital course work finds following at 14 colleges
Leaders at locally based Perceivant hope to move to the head of the class with a platform they say offers a unique blend of customization and two-way communication between students and their instructors.