Companies seek equity in return for services to startups
A crop of Indianapolis companies is embracing the practice of developing and marketing products for startups in exchange for an ownership stake.
Small Biz Funding
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LEADING QUESTIONS: Webber gives tech firms their wings
How does angel investor Scott Webber choose which companies to buy into? What common mistakes does he see early-stage entrepreneurs make? What's the best advice his father gave him? The local tech guru reveals all.
High-end home audio gear will be made in Indiana
A team of former Klipsch Group engineers has spent the two years trying to infuse high-end home audio equipment with the all-in-one sophistication of a smartphone.
Experts: Economy too weak to fuel venture-capital investment
Activity won’t gain much steam until more entrepreneurs become optimistic, and optimism won’t materialize until the economy gets warmer, said John Barnard, managing director of Pearl Street Venture Funds.
Software startup takes on personal finance heavyweights
MyJibe forces everyday consumers to set savings goals and plan what they will need to spend before they spend it.
Molecules are moneymakers for software firm Indigo BioSystems
Eli Lilly and Co. spin-off has landed new private investment and may double its work force this year.
Bill seeks to boost investment credit, startups
The legislation, assigned to a committee on Wednesday, would increase the maximum for venture capital tax credits from $500,000 to $1 million, helping high-potential startups attract outside funding.
WOJTOWICZ: How to lay your hands on working capital
Small-business owners looking for working capital would be well-served to do their research in advance and can ask their bankers about several approaches, including financing based on assets.
Indiana life sciences upstarts tap health reform booty
The federal legislation is roundly criticized at a BioCrossroads meeting, but some firms have found a silver lining.
State entrepreneurship drags despite wealth of resources
What does Indiana have to show for the deluge of resources made available to would-be entrepreneurs in recent years—venture capital, angel investors, incubators and the like? Judging by the number of people taking the plunge into business ownership, not as much as might be expected.
WOJTOWICZ: Be careful when locking in low loan rate
This may be a golden opportunity for small-business owners to lock in a low rate to finance expansion. But make sure you understand
the loan agreement.
Indiana life sciences companies capture more venture capital money in first half of 2010
Venture dollars for Hoosier companies are still few, but the flow of deals is picking up.
Small business lending measure clears filibuster
Community banks may soon be able tap a $30 billion government fund to help them increase lending to small businesses.
Private companies struggle to raise funds once reaching critical mass
Several Indiana companies are in a position, or soon will be, to launch an initial public offering. But don’t expect a wave
of new Indiana public companies. In the recession, with both revenue and profits down, companies may choose to wait until
they have better numbers to report.
LEADING QUESTIONS: Small-biz tips from finance whiz
Jean Wojtowicz, whose firm has helped fund more than 1,200 Indiana companies, recommends the "front-page test,"
looking seriously at expanding, and pulling the trigger quickly on toxic employees.
Small-biz lending on the rise
Federal loan programs that help fund company expansions are seeing more activity from program administrators in Indianapolis.
Obama’s stimulus aims to boost access to small-biz loans
No incentive can make a bad deal bankable. But President Obama’s stimulus measures are spurring some promising small businesses
to begin borrowing again, despite the recession.
Entrepreneur says quality of venture capital as important as quantity
Jim Pearson knows a thing or two about raising money from venture capitalists. And he has some advice for BioCrossroads:
Teach entrepreneurs the value of money.
Estate tax confusion leaving family businesses in limbo
Federal estate taxes are set to expire next year, but increase in 2011. Confusion is leaving family businesses like Greenwood-based Byrd Enterprises in limbo. Vice President Jonathan Byrd II is still sorting through the aftermath of his father’s August death.
WOJTOWICZ: Is it time to buy rather than lease space?
Buying a building for your business is still possible in a tight lending market, but bankers will review real estate purchases
carefully.