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.
Small Business
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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.
State spending $9M on one-stop business portal
Secretary of State Connie Lawson is spearheading the effort to make it easier for businesses to take the steps they need to get registered and get started.
Uber launches luxury car service in Indianapolis
Want to be chauffeured in a Mercedes from Broad Ripple to downtown? The ride-sharing service is betting upscale vehicles will resonate with modest Midwesterners.
Startup now giving Interactive Intelligence big boost
Interactive Intelligence CEO Don Brown invested three years ago in a startup formed by an exiting employee. Last year, Interactive bought that startup–OrgSpan–and the move is starting to pay off.
Anderson company participates in White House Demo Day
President Barack Obama hosted the first White House Demo Day on Tuesday with more than 31 startup companies throughout the country represented, including one from Indiana.
As Angie’s List hits crossroads, shareholders get antsy
For years, the reviews company has sold memberships to consumers and advertising to service providers, but recently it’s been trying to become a marketplace that brokers transactions and gets a cut.
Few Indy companies embrace state’s new crowdfunding option
Regulations that went into effect July 1, 2014, allow Indiana businesses to solicit capital from rank-and-file Hoosiers in increments of $5,000 or less per investor. The main stipulation: Both the business and the investor(s) must be Indiana-based.
Fishers faces shortage of offices for small businesses
For businesses looking for small offices, Fishers is practically booked up. The demand for office spaces of 5,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet has ramped up recently in the fast-growing suburb, but supply hasn’t kept pace.
SBA loan approvals resume after Congress lifts lending limit
Loan approvals resumed after going on hold Thursday, when the SBA reached its $18.75 billion annual limit for loan guarantees.
Once-fringe Gen Con powers game industry
Indy’s annual Gen Con convention has become a powerhouse in the growing $880 million international hobby game business—and a boon for homegrown gaming startups, including Plowgames.