Small businesses in need of loans find stingier lending landscape
Only about 30% of businesses that applied for financing last year got the full amount that they asked for, down from about half in 2019.
Small Business
Articles
Small businesses face tax headaches on top of pandemic woes
Tax season can be complicated for everyone, but as the April 18 filing deadline looms, small-business owners, contractors, entrepreneurs and others face a raft of ever-changing rules and regulations.
Kirk’s ending historic hardware store run in downtown Noblesville
Kirk’s Hardware, owned by Bill and Carrie Prater since 2002, is set to close at the end of the month. The 133-year-old, six-floor building that houses the business at 848 Logan St. has always had a hardware store as a ground-floor occupant.
Meeting platforms grow even as COVID wanes
Online gatherings are here to stay, but after two years of Zooming, people are looking for something more than the standard videoconferencing sites can offer.
Initiative will pair Black-owned businesses with downtown spots
The moves are part of a larger effort to help the city’s core recover from the pandemic, and they’re getting help from a not-for-profit that has emerged as a local leader in diversity initiatives.
Indiana Black Expo launches training program for Black business owners
IBE President and CEO Tanya Mckinzie said the initiative grew out of the organization’s pandemic work with local Black business owners and a survey of nearly 1,000 such businesses.
Restaurants seek more federal help after SBA fund runs out of cash
Restaurant owners want Congress to replenish the fund, and they want Indiana’s senators to sign on to a proposal that would provide cash to original applicants who were left high and dry.
Unusual retail enterprises set up shop in Indianapolis
Stores based on the concepts of selfie culture, miniature skateboards and intravenous nutrient therapy have either opened recently or are on the way.
Rising costs add to pandemic pain for small businesses
The unpredictability of shipping, labor and the coronavirus itself have created an environment where owners are often left guessing about when products might arrive and how much they’ll cost.
Private equity firm that focuses on small companies inks 12 deals since 2018 launch
Monument Microcap Partners has also added three partners and two other employees, plus a branch office in the metro Detroit area.
NFIB names new Indiana state director
As state director, Robinson will be the primary advocate in the Indiana Legislature and guide member engagement and political involvement throughout the state.
Supply chain will be holiday grinch for local retailers, shoppers
But the pure randomness of shipping problems and the unpredictability of consumer demand make it difficult to predict exactly what will be in short supply.
Zionsville-based Clear Software acquired by Microsoft
Clear Software, founded in 2015, offers tools to help simplify and streamline business processes. Microsoft said the acquisition will help it improve its Microsoft Power Platform, which offers a variety of business-oriented tools for users.
Black-led financial institution looks to create access to capital
Work is underway to determine what kind of support services Black-owned businesses will need to complement the loan fund.
Ag-tech firm using aerial photos, big data to help farmers manage fields
Indianapolis-based IntelinAir Inc. sees a big opportunity in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to help farmers keep tabs on their crops.
Indiana man still repairing foreign cars after half-century
Dick Bougher opened the shop on June 2, 1970. Fast forward to today, and the 83-year-old Greentown native is still fixing vehicles at Dick and Walt’s Foreign Car Repair. And after 51 years in business, he has no plans to stop anytime soon.
City sets up first Black-led community development loan fund
Indianapolis is making preparations for its first Black-led Community Development Financial Institution, which will aim to offer businesses in economically disadvantaged communities access to capital and other help.
Telamon founder Albert Chen launches firm to put ‘cobots’ in factories
Retired from Telamon Corp., Chen founded Telamon Robotics, which sells collaborative robots and helps companies integrate the technology into their operations.
Bankable launches new loan fund for Black-owned businesses
Based in Anderson, Bankable offers microloans to small and startup businesses around the state. This is the organization’s first fund specifically targeting Black-owned businesses.
Programs aim to bring diversity to work-procurement table
Two new supplier-diversity programs are launching in Indianapolis as local companies and other organizations try to make good on their equity promises from last year.