Life sciences venture capital dips again
Venture capital surged in the first half of 2012, to $51.6 million in Indiana. But the pace of activity here fell off sharply in the second half of last year, and remained sluggish into 2013.
Entrepreneurship
Articles
Tech showcase crowns unlikely winner in pitch contest
Emphymab Biotech, with a treatment for emphysema developed by a group of Indiana University medical professors, received the top prize at the Innovation Showcase on Thursday.
Anderson woman churning out dog chews made from elk antlers
Cindy Dunston Quirk spent a decade coming up with an allergy-free dog chew idea, then, within two weeks of deciding on elk antlers, had a product packaged and ready to sell.
Former Pacer invents device to increase leg strength
In April, Jonathan Bender launched a company based on a device he invented to help others avoid the knee troubles that put an end to his promising NBA career. Already, he’s brokered a deal with California-based Relax The Back retail chain.
Tiny Lebanon firm prevails in multimillion-dollar patent case
In the past 18 months, Larry Durkos—who invented a machine that attaches metal bed box springs and coils to wood frames—has scored two stunning victories over Leggett & Platt Inc., a Missouri-based box-spring conglomerate.
Bio-Response expanding in Hendricks County
Wastewater equipment maker is moving to a Danville business park to build a $1.1 million facility.
Local entrepreneur Dragoo takes helm of national group
Already one of the most influential women entrepreneurs in the country, Billie Dragoo will work herself even deeper into professional networking in July as she takes a new role as board chairwoman for the National Association of Women Business Owners. She hopes the connections she’s made over 18 years in business for herself will benefit the group’s members.
Former Indy Chamber prez scores consulting work
Scott Miller, who resigned from the chamber post after less than two years to follow his entrepreneurial bent, will help two local startups get off the ground.
Indy startup serves up keg beer with big data
SteadyServ Technologies has raised $1.5 million to help develop iKeg, which tells bar managers and beer distributors when they need to reorder.
Indianapolis education up-and-comers are fierce competitors
Friends' competition for bragging rights lands both on Forbes' 30 Under 30 lists.
Donors help after girl’s stand shut down at track
Morgen Morris said she had a line of customers during Saturday's Indy 500 qualifications day when a Indianapolis Motor Speedway employee told her she had to shut down her lemonade stand.
PINCUS: State needs better life sciences startup ecosystem
Indiana’s life sciences sector is mostly composed of legacy companies.
Kessler Mansion neighbors balk at business uses
An Indianapolis City-County Councilor is looking into the possibility of zoning violations at the massive north-side property. The mansion will host a camp for entrepreneurs in June.
Co-founder’s death alters Naked Monkey’s growth plan
The recession and then the death of a founder put the Carmel waxing spa on a new trajectory. Now co-owner Brenda Schultz is mulling expansion plans.
Entrepreneurs vie for invites to reality TV summer camp
Twelve lucky entrepreneurs chosen from hundreds of applicants will spend two months this summer in a luxury facility working on bringing new business ideas to market.
New seed fund aims to make Indiana a hotbed for digital health startups
Infuse Accelerator hopes to make early-stage investments in 12 to 15 companies a year.
Digital marketers try to cut through clutter
Element Three is among dozens of ad/marketing firms in the city that put digital marketing—in a dizzying array of formats and specialties—front-and-center. Often led by “millennial” types in their 20s and 30s to whom things like social media are second nature, they’re giving ensconced agencies a run for their money.
Food trucks find patchwork of rules in northern suburbs
As the food truck industry heats up in Indianapolis, leaders of its fast-growing northern suburbs are starting to rewrite the rules of the road.
‘Beer geeks’ hatch plan for east-side hops farm
A couple of fledgling entrepreneurs hope to tap into the increasing popularity of local microbreweries—not by starting one but by supplying them with a key flavoring ingredient integral to making beer.
IU medical school’s push to launch startups bears fruit
The Indiana University School of Medicine has launched 12 companies in the past 18 months—a burst of startup activity the school has never seen before.