New restaurants: Upland in Carmel, Lincoln Square downtown
Old Carolina Barbecue also announces expansion to Indianapolis market.
Small Business
Articles
Marketer SmallBox helping clients improve their cultures
In mid-2011, the staff of local Web marketing firm SmallBox began a period of self-reflection that allowed the team to identify its “North Star,” the purpose, mission and vision that keeps a company headed in the right direction. It’s now spreading the word.
Verge on verge of growing up
With more than 2,000 members attending monthly events organized by chapters in Indianapolis, Bloomington and West Lafayette, tech entrepreneurship group Verge is poised to expand, outgoing executive director Matt Hunckler says.
Flu season fuels debate over paid sick time laws
An unusually early and vigorous flu season is drawing attention to a cause that has scored victories but also hit roadblocks in recent years: mandatory paid sick leave for some 40 million workers who don’t have it.
UPDATE: ‘Nice Grants’ program grows
On Thursday, Indianapolis-based Angie’s List said it would kick in $5,000 to double the number grants awarded Feb. 8.
Trafalgar company bringing reflective technology to consumer market
Halo Coatings, founded in 2007, spent its early years licensing its proprietary reflective technology for powder-coating applications to companies involved in highway infrastructure, such as guardrails. But it’s now shifting its focus to the big players in the apparel, medical and consumer-product fields.
SmallBox staff gives up bonus to be ‘Nice’
Local marketing firm SmallBox next month will award five $1,000 “Nice Grants” to individuals or groups that need some financial help pulling off an idea that could benefit the Indianapolis community.
New ChaCha unit to pair celebrities, advertisers
The ever-evolving information/answers service ChaCha Search has launched a startup within the 7-year-old company. Social Reactor will match advertisers with participating celebrities and other “social influencers,” who will use social media tools such as Twitter to drive fans to advertisers. Verge founder Matt Hunckler was tapped to get it rolling.
Microlenders aim to help businesses grow, survive
Indiana has three certified, not-for-profit SBA microloan intermediaries, which not only make short-term microloans—as any lender can—but also use the SBA grants they receive to offer business coaching along with the financing.
New goals for a new year
Whether we make hard-and-fast resolutions or more squishy wouldn’t-it-be-great goals, most of us can’t avoid imagining what 2013 will bring.
Legal fight fuels tensions in tight-knit tech world
A trademark-infringement case brought against App Press LLC threatens to smother the tech startup in legal fees before it reaches its potential.
Butler introduces major in entrepreneurship and innovation
Students will be required to take an existing practicum class—now optional—during which they work in teams to operate businesses for a semester.
Startup’s stuffed toys help kids do good
Indianapolis-based Promise Monsters makes and sell plush toys that promote kindness through secret “missions” kids are asked to complete.
Angie’s List alters pay formula for huge sales force
In a move to improve cash flow by an estimated $10 million a year, Angie’s List is changing the way it pays its sales staff. Salespeople compose at least 600 of the more than 1,000 employees at Angie’s, which publishes consumer reviews of plumbers, pet groomers and other service providers.
IEDC seeks $30M fund to stoke life sciences firms
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. is looking to renew its commitment to life sciences by creating a $30 million venture fund. The amount dedicated to one sector would be equal to the state’s allocation for all high-tech startups over the past two years.
Deal to save racing show had many twists, turns
In a matter of a few months, operators of the Performance Racing Industry show and its upstart rival, the International Motorsports Industry Show, went from being bitter rivals to merging—a deal that will return the world’s largest motorsports trade show to Indianapolis next December.
Tax software upstart proves appeal to major companies
AppealTrack’s simplicity gains attention in growing market for firms managing property tax appeals.
Lawmakers may tighten grip on gold-buying business
State lawmakers and Indianapolis officials are looking to regulate the gold-buying business, which police say provides an easy outlet for stolen goods. Cash-for-gold stores have multiplied as prices more than doubled since 2007.
Midwest Energy oil firm drilling for $15M
An Indianapolis investment advisory oil firm has been looking for blowouts in its own back yard. Midwest Energy Partners is preparing for its seventh—and largest—round of funding to pay for oil drilling in southwestern Indiana and southeastern Illinois.