Entrepreneurs seek to bolster Hoosier startup community

February 6, 2013
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Five Indiana startup advocates were in our nation’s capital Tuesday, pitching a plan to bolster the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The representatives of Startup Indiana were scheduled to meet with administration officials to discuss the importance of fostering vibrant startup communities. They were among 11 regional groups there on behalf of Startup America Partnership, a national initiative launched in 2011.

Locals who made the trip were TechPoint President Mike Langellier, DeveloperTown partner Michael Coffey, TinderBox co-founder Dustin Sapp, Verge founder Matt Hunckler and LocalStake co-founder Kevin Hitchen.

They know the topic. Langellier co-founded personal finance software firm MyJibe LLC and sold it last year to Utah-based MoneyDestop for an undisclosed sum. Coffey raised $2.5 million in 60 days and started a niche marketing company. Sapp has been part of three Indianapolis startups. Hitchen aims to help other founders line up private investors. And Hunckler built a 2,000-member network of Indiana entrepreneurs.

Indiana’s plan calls for establishing the state as a hub for “customer development,” the group said in a prepared statement. Broad strategies include attracting Fortune 500 companies, partnering with universities and making corporate connections.

Interested observers who weighed in on TechPoint’s Facebook page had other priorities for “making Indiana the best sandbox for entrepreneurship.” On their wish list: better access to capital, improved transportation infrastructure and help building a base of customers.

What’s your take? What can Indiana do to encourage entrepreneurship? Join the conversation below.
 

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  • Cap money is the key
    EdFebruary 12, 2013 10:06 PM
    I am in the early stages of my start up and it's sucking my personal finances quickly. The key to getting customers is marketing early on. The dollars spent marketing limit what is available for other needs. You always hope the marketing dollars will pay off and bring in customers so you can begin to turn a profit and have money for future marketing needs to draw in more customers and fuel growth. One aspect that would really help is streamlining all the license and permits needed to begin doing business in our state. It seems like every time I turn around there is another form or permit needed everything from federal and state tax to reseller permits, DOT and insurance. All this information is difficult to find, we should do a better job as a state of having it very well documented in one place as to what forms are needed for the different types of businesses. I will make my business successful but not because of this being an easy state to start a business. Ed
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  • Startup
    PJMarch 19, 2013 2:58 PM
    Indiana startups
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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