Bringing self-publishing to the classroom
Professor Textbook aims to bring self-publishing to college campuses by helping professors publish their own textbooks.
Small Business
Articles
Barber shop thrives on retro appeal
Brownsburg’s Everyday Joe’s Barber Shop offers personal touch and a retro look.
Small businesses changing hands despite recession
Even in recession, entrepreneurs buy and sell local small businesses. Plenty of Indianapolis-area companies are for sale.
24 percent of 46201 residents are below poverty level
Indy Partnership analyzed data derived from the American Community Survey, the 2000 U.S. Census and the 2005 U.S. Census
Business Patterns Report.
Local SBA lending dropped 17 percent in 2009
Local loans issued through the Small Business Administration’s popular 7(a) guarantee program plunged by an astonishing 64
percent for three of the city’s four largest banks during 2009, while overall lending in the program slipped 17 percent in
the metro area.
City Market gets OK to evict anchor Constantino’s
The cash-strapped, half-vacant City Market is playing legal hardball with five current or former tenants that are behind
on rent, a move that’s led to the imminent eviction of Constantino’s Market Place.
Scott Watanabe looks to transform digital textbooks
Watanabe, son of the late Eli Lilly and Co. scientist, has hired investment bankers to help raise $10 million for his business, Encompass Media.
City program benefits veteran-owned businesses
The city’s Veteran Business Enterprise program aims to increase the representation of veteran-owned businesses on city projects—an
effort that has generated $217,000 in contracts for such firms so far.
Sestertii Solar leasing panels to make solar power more affordable
The electricity they generate may be free, but most home- and business-owners can’t justify the upfront cost of solar
panels. A price tag of $25,000 to $50,000 for a modest system puts the cost close to luxury car territory.
Anderson gas-station chain sues BP after 32-store deal sours
Ricker Oil’s Oct. 22 suit claims British petroleum giant BP is charging unjustified royalty fees while delivering no boost
from its national advertising, its proprietary IT system or its bulk purchase pricing.
Pace of life sciences venture capital deals in Indiana picks up
After no Indiana health and life sciences firms announced venture capital deals in the second quarter, five did so in the
third, and two more have already this month.
Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship program expands
Due to high demand, the Orr fellowship will place 20 fellows starting with its 2010 class. It anticipates
placing 40 fellows in 2011 and 80 in 2012. The program is designed to match top graduates of Indiana colleges with entrepreneurial
companies.
Indianapolis-based FAST Diagnostics gets funding from BioCrossroads’ seed fund
Money will help the company refine its tool to treat acute kidney injury.
Local lenders support small-biz loan initiative
Small business lenders in Indianapolis are supporting a proposal announced by President Obama Wednesday that would increase
the size of government-backed loans.
LEADERSHIP: Use objective measures to evaluate employees
To improve the productivity of your management team, it’s critical to have an objective plan for measuring performance.
That means clear job descriptions, goals, and key performance indicators to track progress.
Software firm eImagine grows on military contracts
eImagine, an Indianapolis software developer, has seen a 218-percent increase in revenue in large part due to work in the
public sector,
including a major contract for the U.S. army.
SBA loan approvals for Indianapolis – September 2009
Small Business Administration loan guarantees for the month of September 2009 for Indianapolis area
PickyList helps small businesses market themselves online
Startup online marketing firm PickyList is bringing the Twitter/Craigslist concept local, and helping small businesses use
social networking and
online branding.
Marketing firm Brandwidth helps clients with online branding
Firm combines traditional marketing, Web technology to help companies build successful brands. Measurable results help companies
document effectiveness.
Debt collectors try soft approach
Recession forces entrepreneurs to rework bills. Cracking down on small businesses doesn’t help bills get paid faster.