Under Daniels, Purdue unleashes surge of startups
Before Mitch Daniels took the helm, the university used its intellectual property to create about eight startups annually. The school has been averaging nearly three times that each year since.
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Coop builder takes henhouses to next level
Andrew Brake build his first coop to house chickens in his own backyard. But he’s turned his hobby into a new career and how builds coops worth thousands of dollars.
His startup failed. Then his stopgap hustle became a new business.
After Jim Brown’s startup Haven failed in 2015, he went into tech-sales consulting while looking for his next big move. Then that became his next big move.
Lyft expanding service across Indiana in widescale drive for market share
The expansion is a bold move into unserved areas and a gamble that it can carve new markets out of even the most rural areas that have ride-hailing needs but no consistent service.
After fessing up to failings, travel-insurance firm remakes itself
With the help of an outside consultant, Carmel-based Seven Corners Inc. has spent nearly three years on a corporate overhaul.
Indianapolis-based grading-software startup plans to add 102 workers by 2021
Mimir Corp., which relocated its headquarters from West Lafayette to downtown Indianapolis last month, sells software that automates computer science grading and checks for plagiarism. It’s used by more than 80 universities worldwide.
Path to merger for Angie’s List full of twists, turns
Securities filings show how activist investors gained influence, how organic turnaround plans lost favor, and how IAC played hardball at the negotiating table.
Sun King Brewery to pop tops on Chicago, Louisville markets
The Indianapolis brewery plans to expand its reach outside Indiana for the first time with distribution to “hundreds of liquor and grocery stores, bars and restaurants” in the two new markets.
Carmel resident’s cooking school for kids keeps growing
Drewry, a 35-year-old Carmel resident, launched Sprouts Cooking School out of a spare bedroom in summer 2015. Since then, demand has ballooned.
King Ribs keeps it in the family
Sherry and David Williams, both in their 50s, work seven days a week to keep their two restaurants and a catering business running.
IU preps new VC fund amid agency revamp
The school plans to unveil a new venture capital fund this summer under the purview of the Indiana University Research and Technology Corp., which was overhauled to better address startup needs.
45 Indiana taxes, fees increased during legislative session
The increases affect everything from notary services to teacher background checks to fuel prices, such as a 10 cents-per-gallon gasoline tax increase starting July 1.
Fletcher Place distillery grows beyond original expectations
Four law school grads and a businessman took a flyer on founding Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery in 2014. Its spirits now are sold in five states and soon will be in U.S. Navy commissaries throughout the country.
Former Double 8 warehouse offering co-working space for tradespeople
Refinery 46 is targeting plumbers, electricians and other contractors in a twist on the growing trend of shared work spaces.
Geotechnical engineering firm scooped up by Kansas consulting company
Indianapolis-based Earth Exploration Inc. has worked with transportation agencies in Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. It will retain all of its employees as it joins a firm with more than 4,000.
Indy entrepreneurs to launch Airbnb for event venues
The online marketplace, slated to launch in August, aims to connect venue owners and seekers. It’s led by two minority entrepreneurs.
Angie’s List axes 70 Indy positions in latest round of layoffs
The job cuts, which happened Thursday, are part of the company’s focus on “continued operational effectiveness,” a spokeswoman said.
Small business hiring picking up momentum, report says
Small businesses kicked up their job creation in May, adding 83,000 jobs in a sign that they're willing to take more risks, payroll provider ADP said Thursday.
Racing spinoffs feed local economy
Several businesses launched by entrepreneurs who honed their skills in the racing arena are in high-gear growth mode.
Indy slides, Indiana inches up in annual startup survey
Indianapolis fell closer to the bottom in Kauffman’s annual startup survey, but the state moved up one spot.