Indiana’s tech firms saw smaller investments, but more of them, in Q1
Indiana-based tech firms attracted more than $47 million from venture investors in 36 separate deals last quarter, according to a new report by Indianapolis-based TechPoint.
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Peyton Manning added to Rally innovation conference
Manning is the fourth and final keynote speaker announced for Rally, which is scheduled for Aug. 29-31 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.
Indianapolis startup Bereave aims to improve funeral planning
Bereave, which launched quietly in 2021, is developing an online platform where individuals can preplan the details of their funerals. The company is working to raise close to $1 million in “friends and family” funding
Emmis leads $48M investment into Israel-based ad-tech startup
Emmis was the lead investor in Anzu, an Israel-based company that has developed technology that allows companies to insert targeted ads into video games in a nonintrusive way.
Marketing-tech startup Demandwell lands $1.55M venture investment with eye to AI
Turbulence in the tech industry forced Demandwell to do some layoffs and belt-tightening of its own, but the proliferation of AI tools like ChatGPT has opened up new opportunities for the company.
Podcaster Raz announced as keynote speaker for Rally innovation conference
Indianapolis-based Elevate Ventures, which is organizing the first-time event, announced Guy Raz on Tuesday as the first keynote speaker for the event.
Fishers-based AfterSchool HQ lands $3M seed investment
Fishers-based education-tech firm AfterSchool HQ recently landed $3 million in outside investment, bringing the company’s fundraising total to $4.3 million since its launch in late 2017.
2023 Innovation Issue: Four ways Purdue is driving ag breakthroughs
The Ag-Celerator, one of four funds that make up Purdue Ventures, boasts a $2 million innovation fund for startups in ag-related technologies.
Tech startup Qualifi lands $4.5M in growth capital
Indianapolis-based Qualifi, which launched in 2019, offers a platform that allows employers to quickly screen groups of job candidates via automated phone interviews.
Indianapolis VC firm Ivy Ventures launches with $20M fund
Local entrepreneur and general partner Scott Kraege co-founded Ivy Ventures with Mike Reynolds, CEO of Indianapolis-based Innovatemap, and John Wortman, CEO and co-founder of Carmel-based Valeo Financial Advisors LLC.
Coming off record fundraising year, Indiana’s life science sector looks for even more capital in 2023
Inventors and entrepreneurs who don’t have a track record face the biggest challenges, a panel of experts said Friday morning at IBJ’s Life Sciences Power Breakfast.
Indiana venture activity shows signs of strength in down market, report says
PitchBook’s first-quarter venture report, released this week, shows that venture activity declined sharply year-over year nationwide, but the picture was rosier in Indiana.
Life sciences industry booster BioCrossroads girds for new challenges
Patricia Martin, the group’s president and CEO since 2019, last month announced she would step down to examine opportunities in the private sector and urged industry leaders to take a fresh look at the organization.
Indianapolis-based angel investor group eyeing ‘record year’ in 2023, executive director says
VisionTech, a group of more than 130 investors, has so far this year made seven investments totaling $1 million. In comparison, the group made a total of 16 investments totaling $2.4 million in all of 2022.
Ag-tech startup Athian secures investors for $5M funding round
Athian expects to begin beta testing for its first product this month. The company was launched last year by Greenfield-based Elanco and Indianapolis-based High Alpha Innovation.
Elevate Ventures launching new multiday innovation conference
The new event, called Rally, will take place at the Indiana Convention Center and feature a $5 million pitch competition, more than 200 speakers, and opportunities for entrepreneurs to demonstrate their innovations and meet individually with potential investors.
Local software startup Elate lands $4.9M VC investment
Indianapolis-based Elate was founded in 2019 by two former coworkers at another local software firm, Springbuk. Elate offers a platform to help organizations develop and execute their strategic plans.
Silicon Valley Bank seized by FDIC as depositors pull cash
The bank failed after depositors—mostly technology workers and venture capital-backed companies—began withdrawing their money and created a run on the bank.
Dorsey to headline IU Ventures networking summit
The IU Founders & Funders Network Venture Summit is scheduled May 18-19 at the Indiana Memorial Union. Only 185 tickets will be allocated for the event.
IBJ Podcast: She went from a master’s in social work to tech firm CEO
In this week’s edition of the IBJ Podcast, Brown discusses the unusual route that led her to become a first-time entrepreneur in her early 40s.