Indy Chamber beefs up its microlending territory
The U.S. Small Business Administration blessed the Chamber’s microlending division with a new designation, giving it more cash to deploy and a bigger geographical footprint.
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Small biz agency graduates first mini-MBA class
The Emerging Leaders program, managed by the Indiana SBA office, runs for seven months and targets entrepreneurs from historically challenged communities.
Tech veterans jumping back into saddle
Older technology entrepreneurs and executives who have experienced successful corporate exits often limit their startup involvement to mentoring, investing and board membership. But a raft of veteran technology leaders are getting involved again in a hands-on way.
Soaring Rx costs lift firm’s prospects, job creation
Rx Help Centers assists employers and customers as they navigate through the confusing web of prescription drug discounts. Business is so good that the company hopes to add 250 workers by 2017.
Angie’s List ekes out profit as new CEO rebuffs activist
Shares sank 15 percent on Wednesday morning despite an $82,000 profit in the third quarter. New CEO Scott Durchslag told analysts he wanted to increase shareholder value organically rather than pursue a sale or merger.
Research shows benefit of women in startup management teams
Recent research has found that high-growth startups with women on their management teams outperform those with all-male teams—a discovery that has spurred several central Indiana organizations to step up efforts to boost gender diversity.
Co-working space with charity bent to launch in Lawrence
Launch Cause, which will operate out of a new building at the former Fort Benjamin Harrison, bills itself as Indiana’s only co-working space specifically targeting not-for-profits.
Some executives already bracing for next recession
While many CEOs are planning for the next fiscal year, a cohort of local executives is planning for the next fiscal downturn. Group members have their eyes on 2019, forecast by some economists to be the year the next economic contraction arrives.
Farm family near Grand Park adapted to encroaching development
Craig Wood has spent most of his 60 years on 191st Street in Westfield, living and working on his family farm. For most of that time, the adjacent land has been other houses and farm fields, but that all changed on Nov. 18, 2011, when construction on Grand Park Sports Campus began.
Fast-growing tech companies slow to go public
Indiana hasn’t seen a company launch an initial public offering in nearly two years. When the next IPO comes, it likely won’t be a technology company.
Fantasy-football app developers team with DraftKings, ESPN’s Matthew Berry
Local entrepreneurs Mark Welsh and Charlie Russell last year started an app development company. And this year, they inked partnerships with ESPN fantasy football guru Matthew Berry and daily fantasy sports behemoth DraftKings for their first major endeavor.
Angie’s List restructuring its 1,000-person sales force
The firm is aiming to boost revenue with the biggest reorganization of its sales force in its 20-year history. But some salespeople fear the changes will cut their compensation.
Craft breweries rush to open outposts in northern suburbs
Small breweries are tapping the northern Indianapolis suburbs. Four have opened just this year, essentially doubling Hamilton County’s craft beer market. And that growth is expected to continue.
Globe-trotting financier launching angel firm
Indianapolis native Danny Chan, a managing director at Iconic Private Equity Partners, a Hong Kong-based firm, is back home in Indiana and ready to launch an angel investing group here that will help fund Hoosier startups of all stripes.
Steve Hilbert seeks comeback in insurance
The controversial co-founder and former CEO of life insurance giant Conseco Inc. (now CNO Financial Group Inc.) spearheaded the purchase of a small life insurance company operated out of Texas and plans to gradually build up its operations here.
Upbeat Baggott boosts funding, tweaks ClusterTruck for rollout
The ExactTarget co-founder is wrapping up a $2 million seed-funding round and adjusting his new startup’s business model in anticipation of a December launch.
Hedge fund ups Angie’s List holdings again, seeks board seats
Now with a 9-percent stake, New York-based TCS Capital Management says it’s after multiple board seats and plans to continue discussing options to maximize the firm’s value, including a sale.
Startup haven Speak Easy taps new executive director
Danielle McDowell, 31, is best known locally for co-founding and selling hair products website Loxa Beauty to an industry giant in 2013.
Zionsville software startup lands $1M in venture capital
It’s the first venture funding round for 3-year-old Clear Software, an early mover in the trend of making pre-existing business software easier to use.
Brewery proposed for $4.8M project in downtown Fishers
City officials are considering incentives for the two-story project, which would feature a restaurant and brewery on the first floor and office space for lease on the second level.