IT professor Ali Jafari, who netted Indiana University $23 million on its $130,000 investment in his Angel Learning when it sold three years ago, recently launched CourseNetworking, which allows learners across the globe to connect and chat around shared interests and class subjects.
Participation at Business Ownership Initiative-led training sessions is up nearly 30 percent so far this year as more Hoosiers start businesses of their own. Executive Director Julie Grice is looking for more counselors and money.
Indianapolis-area entrepreneurs are finding ways to fund their companies.
MyJibe co-founder Mike Langellier is among a new generation of tech entrepreneurs in the Indianapolis area that benefits from a host of support their predecessors never enjoyed.
Two startup firms, Cause.It LLC and Trensy LLC, have created tools that link charitable behavior and consumption. Like the hit app Foursquare, the newcomers encourage users to “check in” when they show up at events or complete activities so they can earn rewards offered by local businesses.
Blue MF is a vodka-and-rum-based liqueur concocted by three Indiana University fraternity brothers turned entrepreneurs. Their firm, Indianapolis-based More Fun Liqueur, launched its signature drink in October and now is seeking investors to help fund expansion.
Melissa Kelly and Zach Pierson, who opened delivery service Grateful Pet LLC in July and are bootstrapping the business through Kelly’s day job.
This week, meet James Burnes, who launched virtual patent-marking service PatentStatus LLC in January and spent the first weekend of February hobnobbing with corporate bigwigs in town for Super Bowl XLVI.
Westfield resident Jenn Kampmeier is a CEO—that’s “chief everything officer” in the get-it-done world of startups—who prefers an even-loftier title: Mom.
Miss Pivot is a social-skills training company that offers one-on-one coaching from professional “wing” women, group classes on topics like starting conversations, and now a mobile app that promises users the knowledge they need to “Fire Cupid.”
This week, meet Crystal Grave, who left a corporate marketing career to start event-planning resource Snappening.com.
Daily Lunch Deal sold last month after just a year in business, marking a milestone for its venture-firm mentor.
Two DePauw University graduates are launching a website they hope will preserve the world’s memories, through a virtual bank of shared experiences.
A former employee of Ambassadair travel club is trying to raise $5.3 million to finance the first six months of a business created in its image.
This week, we meet Vanessa Grider, who opened Violet Vintage this fall. The company collects and rents out unusual—and often time-tested—party supplies.
Meet Naptown Roller Girls Amber Jones and Kate Bothwell, who opened Vital Skates in October to serve the growing roller derby community.
Mad scientists, rejoice: An Indianapolis startup is rolling out a make-your-own-soft-drink campaign its founders hope will become the YouTube of the beverage industry. They left Thursday night on a 6,000-mile promotional tour.
Two local concert promotors have launched a calendar website, called Do317.com, that ranks arts and entertainment events according to the preferences of its users and designated “tastemakers.”.
Meet Margaret Broderick and Mike Lehane, who opened Indy NUT House in May to sell “nice, useable things" to home rehabbers.
Carmel resident David Wasilewski has launched WhatNext, a website that uses algorithms to make it easier for cancer patients to connect with others in similar circumstances. Wasilewski, 39, spent eight years as chief operating officer of the Spanx line of body shapers and did health care consulting before that. In addition to helping patients, he thinks WhatNext can become a way for health care organizations share their expertise with patients in need.
