May 1-7, 2026
IBJ’s string of annual Innovation Issues kicked off in 2015. Since then, we’ve taken deep dives into artificial intelligence, blockchain, drones, disruption, advanced manufacturing, battery power, groundbreaking medicines, NFTs, IoT and the way we now pair food with technology in the agriculture sector. For this year’s issue, we’re taking a look back to get updates on the people and startups we featured and whether predictions of how these technologies would affect us in the future actually have panned out.
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2026 Innovation Issue: With coding academies gone, what comes next?
In Indiana, gone are Eleven Fifty Academy and Kenzie Academy. National coding bootcamps like Bloom Institute of Technology, Hack Reactor and Triology have significantly scaled back or totally restructured in recent years.
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2026 Innovation Issue: Many banks are exploring blockchain’s potential, but few are using it
Blockchain, the technology underpinning cryptocurrency, hasn’t taken off in the banking industry the way many may have expected.
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2026 Innovation Issue: Startups to watch — progress, pauses and partnerships
The 20 companies IBJ featured in last year’s Innovation Issue all appear to still be in business, and some have introduced new products, raised money or made other moves.
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2026 Innovation Issue: Checking in with 2015’s Champions of Innovation
Eleven years later, IBJ checks back in with some of those innovators to see what they’re up to — and where they are — now.
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2026 Innovation Issue: Monument Circle shines bright, but therein lies opportunity again
What a difference a decade (and a pandemic and a complete rethink of the utility of office-based work) makes.
Read More‘Smart’ device growth has been slower than once expected
Technology giant Intel once predicted that by 2020, the number of smart device would grow to 200 billion or about 26 smart devices for every person on Earth. But the number today is quite a bit lower.
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2026 Innovation Issue: Entrepreneur Richard DiMarchi stays locked in as the market for blockbuster drugs evolves
Richard DiMarchi still works a full schedule, researching and teaching at Indiana University.
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2026 Innovation Issue: Indy police embrace new tools, implement privacy guardrails at real-time crime center
At IMPD’s real-time crime center, analysts have access to live feeds, updates and search options from more than 300 license plate readers, 160 IMPD-owned cameras, about 150 cameras outside of businesses.
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2026 Innovation Issue: VR makes quiet impact on therapy, science, education
All over central Indiana, virtual reality is being put to good use.
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2026 Innovation Issue: How an expert on AI uses the technology in the classroom
IBJ spoke with Indiana University professor Brian Williams about teaching in the age of artificial intelligence and how he encourages — and discourages — its use in his classroom.
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Battery-maker EnPower sees big opportunities ahead
The company has developed a type of high-performance battery for specialty uses, including drones.
Read More2026 Innovation Issue: EV slowdown forces Indiana battery plants to pivot
Mayor Tyler Moore said the project is progressing more slowly than initially expected, but Samsung’s involvement has allowed the first battery plant to pivot production to other applications and industries that rely on lithium-ion batteries.
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2026 Innovation Issue: Nonprofit’s model helps accelerate battery tech
Since 2013, the Battery Innovation Center and its team of 15 people has helped roughly 500 companies develop technologies necessary for electric vehicles, the power grid and drones.
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Once a niche, telehealth now routine care option
It was an overnight gamechanger for the nation’s health care system, which had long held fast to in-person visits at bricks-and-mortar buildings, even for the most routine care.
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2026 Innovation Issue: Indiana ethanol industry looks to aviation, marine industries to grow
Low commodity prices and high costs for fertilizer and diesel means that many Indiana corn farmers do not expect to break even this year. But demand in the ethanol market could help improve that situation.
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2026 Innovation Issue: Radio broadcasts via smartphones met static
Emmis founder Jeff Smulyan founded Indianapolis-based NextRadio as an Emmis subsidiary in 2012.
Read More2026 Innovation Issue: Two executives going all-in on AI
A real estate leader and pharmaceutical executive explain the practical and surprising ways they’re using AI in their fields and what the future might look like for AI and their industries..
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2026 Innovation Issue: Hype sank NFT market
When IBJ’s Innovation Issue surveyed the NFT landscape in 2022, NFT collectibles had accounted for $41 billion in spending a year earlier.
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2026 Innovation Issue: Beck’s Hybrids AI platform educates farmers about their crops
In February, Beck’s publicly launched SeedIQ, a free online product management platform that uses artificial intelligence to provide data and management recommendations to help farmers unlock the potential of their corn and soybean hybrids.
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2026 Innovation Issue: Building on a brother’s legacy
The late Philip Low’s research focus included using small molecules to reach cancer cells. His brother, Martin, spoke with IBJ about his brother’s science and where their company is heading.
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Editorial: State’s AI initiative sounds promising for companies both big and small
We like the approach. While there’s no doubt AI is causing disruption in many industries and in employment, we still believe AI will create new jobs and new markets.
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Nate Feltman: Building a bioscience powerhouse
Central Indiana has a real opportunity not only to compete in the biosciences but to become the next great American hub on the scale of North Carolina’s Research Triangle.
Read MoreJennifer Bartenbach: Defining roles for public, private and nonprofit sectors
So what would a clear division of labor look like? Generally, it would mean each sector being rightsized for the challenges it is best positioned to address.
Read MoreJim Dalton: Suggestions for curbing Indy’s youth violence problem
Most youth I evaluate are not “hardened criminals.” They are developmentally compromised adolescents navigating environments where aggression is normalized and identity is fragile.
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Derek Schultz: Local sports officials exploring a bid to host the NFL Draft
In 2015, after a half-century in New York City, the NFL turned its draft into a road show.
Read MoreSamantha Julka: Leaders should follow strategy, not the other way around
A strategy for executing a vision should not be held in the hands of a single individual.
Read MoreMickey Kim: The heavy rains will come, so build your ark now
Wars, terrorist attacks and pandemics strike without warning — making preparation, not prediction, essential.
Read MoreCecil Bohanon and John Horowitz: You can’t get far without accounting for transaction costs
Transfer costs are the costs of completing the exchange once a trading partner has been found.
Read MoreMatt Whiteside: Want innovation? Focus on the soil where it can be planted.
Innovation is the byproduct of a free, capitalist society. Said differently, a free, capitalist society naturally incentivizes people to innovate because they receive the potential upside of their efforts.
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2026 Innovation Issue: Tony Mason: State’s shift away from DEI ignores what data says
Under the state’s new policy, how will we even know if merit, excellence and innovation are achieved?
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2026 Innovation Issue: Salena Scardina: AI just removed the excuses to not adopt design thinking
Even in a fail-fast environment, there are clear advantages to thinking creatively, optimistically and exploring non-traditional solutions early.
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Sun King Brewing acquires ’Shmallow whiskey, other Hotel Tango spirits
Tuesday’s announcement marks the end of an era for Hotel Tango, which launched in 2014 as one of Indiana’s first microdistilleries.
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Root & Bone restaurant announces plans to close
The restaurant’s management shared the news on social media Monday.
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Local artist sought to paint 2nd mural at Indiana Fever facility
A 210-square-foot mural is planned for the players’ parking garage at the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center.
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Indiana launches artificial intelligence economic development initiative
Called IN AI, the initiative will be overseen by the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership, or CICP.
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