Purdue grads’ app-driven bike-share business picking up speed
In 2016, Purdue University students Candice Xie and Edwin Tan were looking for an affordable, easy-to-use means to get around campus. So they started a company to fill the need.
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Levementum beating growth projections, snags $4M in funding
Officials for digital consultancy Levementum said the capital recently secured from a group led by Chicago-based Inoca Capital Partners will be used in part to add about 40 employees at its Indianapolis office this year.
Tech guru Steve Case’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund pulls Indy area tech firms onto global stage
Since October, when the flashy former CEO of AOL drove his Rise of the Rest bus tour to Indianapolis, his company—Revolution—has invested in three local companies.
Indiana startups raised $34.5M from venture capitalists in first quarter
The second quarter is off to a fast start, a sign that this could be a strong year for raising capital in the state.
Centerfield raises $310M, includes 2 local companies among investments
The local recipients are produce distributor IF&P Foods, parent of Indianapolis Fruit and Piazza Produce; and Wild Sports, which makes sports-themed tailgating games and accessories.
Infosys, Salesforce Tower, IoT lab among year’s biggest local tech stories
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Trust Fund, which designates $250 million for venture capital, also made our list.
FBI raids financial services firm in Westfield
The bureau so far isn’t sharing details on its interest in Banc-serv, which provides services for small business lenders.
IU preps new VC fund amid agency revamp
The school plans to unveil a new venture capital fund this summer under the purview of the Indiana University Research and Technology Corp., which was overhauled to better address startup needs.
Wisconsin accelerator laying groundwork for Indy expansion
Gener8tor, a Wisconsin-based startup accelerator, is looking to set up shop in Indianapolis within the next year. Today, there are no application-based accelerators in the area.
Don Brown leads $2M funding round in Carmel tech firm
Lumavate sells software to manufacturers so they can give their customers relevant information about products when they need it.
Langellier: Many tech firms would be better off here
TechPoint CEO Mike Langellier spoke with IBJ about his group’s evolution, his interest in the internet of things, and why elected officials are increasingly paying attention to tech.
Study finds Indy startups lag in job growth
Startups in Indianapolis often have barely grown after five years in business, according to a new study, a development that’s rekindled criticism of the local venture capital landscape.
Bob Compton helped plant seeds of now-flourishing local tech community
Bob Compton invests in documentary films today, but in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, he helped fund firms like Software Artistry, Interactive Intelligence, Aprimo, ExactTarget and TinderBox.
PitchFeast helps grassroots entrepreneurs turn business ideas into reality
The PitchFeast crowd votes on the best pitch, and the winner gets 75 percent of admission proceeds plus pro bono business services.
Indy Chamber, Chase collaborate on grants for new export efforts
JPMorgan Chase provided $200,000 to fund the chamber’s GoGlobal Export Acceleration Grant program, which will target smaller companies and provide up to $5,000 in matching funds to cover business and marketing costs associated with new export activity.
Not everyone in tech wants venture cash
It’s immensely difficult for tech firms to quickly build and sell technology software or hardware without a sizable venture war chest. Nevertheless, at least a few central Indiana firms have managed to grow at a healthy pace without trading equity stakes for cash.
Bank loan activity rising, but small-biz lending lagging
According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., at the end of 2008 Indiana financial institutions had $4.6 billion in small-business loans on the books that originated for less than $1 million. That figure stood at $3.8 billion this past June, about 17 percent lower.
Indy Chamber beefs up its microlending territory
The U.S. Small Business Administration blessed the Chamber’s microlending division with a new designation, giving it more cash to deploy and a bigger geographical footprint.
Research shows benefit of women in startup management teams
Recent research has found that high-growth startups with women on their management teams outperform those with all-male teams—a discovery that has spurred several central Indiana organizations to step up efforts to boost gender diversity.
SBA loan approvals resume after Congress lifts lending limit
Loan approvals resumed after going on hold Thursday, when the SBA reached its $18.75 billion annual limit for loan guarantees.