2025 Innovation Issue: What’s a startup? Most say it’s a company that’s young, disruptive and scalable
Even seasoned entrepreneurs and business executives have different takes about exactly what constitutes a startup—or at least a successful one.
Small Biz Startups
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Fishers-based smart-mailbox company Arrive AI set to go public this week
The company, which has developed a smart-mailbox system for drone delivery, said it expects to begin trading on the Nasdaq exchange.
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Guided by canned cocktail success, Hi & Mighty distillery rebrands
The distillery, which previously planned to open a year-round bar at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, now operates as a retail-only concept.
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The Bee Corp. dissolves, but its technology lives on
The company’s signature technology, called Verifli, uses infrared imagery, data analytics and a smartphone app to determine the size of the bee colony inside a hive—a faster and less invasive method than manually inspecting the hive.
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Elevate Ventures moving HQ to prominent downtown building
Elevate Ventures, which occupies a 6,000-square-foot office on the north side of Indianapolis, will relocate to a much larger space at 1 Virginia Ave. within the next few months.
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Articles
2025 Innovation Issue: Startup expert says founders need business skills in addition to a great idea
Rob Mathews, executive director of Ball State University’s Entrepreneurship Center, views leadership and innovation as inseparable attributes for a startup.
Bloomington entrepreneurship center The Mill names new CEO
The new leader replaces The Mill’s founding CEO, Pat East, who announced his departure in January.
Launch Fishers working with California-based Plug and Play to help local startups
Launch Fishers recently formed a partnership with venture firm and accelerator operator Plug and Play, giving Launch Fishers members access to Plug and Play’s network of resources and connections across the country.
Elevate says state funding freeze endangers startups, entrepreneurial community
Commerce Secretary David Adams announced last week that the state had frozen funds earmarked for Elevate Ventures, but he did not outline specific concerns about the nonprofit or its operations.
The Heritage Group discontinues business accelerator program
The company said it wants to focus more on innovation activities within its 30-plus existing operating companies.
Indianapolis tech startup Ekkobar selected for international sports tech development program
More than 1,600 companies applied for this year’s cohort of the Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech program, and Ekkobar was the only Midwest-based company chosen.
Purdue University launches business accelerator program
The program for Purdue-connected companies offers the university a way to rekindle or establish the startup founders’ Indiana ties.
Techstars discontinues Indianapolis-based sports tech accelerator
The company, which worked with 67 startups through the Indianapolis program, has dramatically trimmed its offerings in recent years.
Indianapolis-based High Alpha Innovation rebrands, prepares for new investment round
A spinoff of Indianapolis-based venture studio High Alpha that works with organizations to help them create and launch startups is preparing to announce a new round of investment from its first-ever outside investors, said CEO Elliott Parker.
Chicago-based venture firm adds Indianapolis-based partner
Chicago-based M25, a venture firm that invests in early-stage Midwestern tech startups, has named local entrepreneur Brian Powers as its Indianapolis-based venture partner.
Republic Airways, Accutech Systems among 2025 Mira Award winners
Indianapolis-based TechPoint, which supports the state’s tech sector, honored Republic Airways, Accutech and 18 other winners at its annual Mira Awards gala Thursday night.
Butler startup accelerator alums announce Indiana hiring plans
Sweden-based ImagiLabs and Minnesota-based Awesome People Leaders say participating in an Indy-based startup accelerator convinced them to expand their operations in Indiana.
Indianapolis fintech startup Habits lands $1.1M investment
Indianapolis-based Habits Inc., which offers a platform where financial advisers can connect with potential clients, announced this week that it had closed on a $1.1 million round of pre-seed funding.
Executive director of Bloomington entrepreneurship center The Mill announces departure
“The Mill has significant momentum and I feel great about the foundation I’m leaving for the next leader to build upon,” founding executive director Pat East said in his announcement.
Indianapolis tech startup Stellar lands $2.7M in seed funding
The seed round was oversubscribed, meaning Stellar Technology Services attracted more investor interest than anticipated.
IEDC, Hoosier startups headed to CES trade show in Las Vegas
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has selected eight Indiana startups to accompany the organization to CES, the major consumer electronics trade show being held next week in Las Vegas.
Fishers-based Arrive AI files paperwork to go public
Arrive AI, which has developed a “smart mailbox” system for human and drone deliveries, intends to go public via a direct listing on the Nasdaq Global Market.
Rally pitch contest winner secures $5M investment as asthma test awaits approval
MyBiometry, a Massachusetts-based health technology firm that was one of five winners of the Rally IN-Prize pitch contest last year, has secured $5 million in seed funding and hired its first Indiana employees.
Indianapolis entrepreneurs launch AI training firm Pragmatico
Pragmatico, co-founded by Santiago Jaramillo, Rod Feuer and James Paden, offers hands-on workshops to help both beginners and advanced users effectively use AI in their organizations.