Marketing tech startup Backstroke lands $2.8M investment
Indianapolis-based marketing tech startup Backstroke Inc. has raised a total of $4.8 million in outside investment since its launch in 2024.
Small Biz Startups
Indianapolis biz leader picked to lead new state Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Indiana’s new Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is expected to focus on Main Street businesses—small businesses that are not venture-backed, not easily scaled and found in many towns and cities across the state.
Amid ongoing Elevate Ventures funding freeze, some companies approved for investments
Also, at Wednesday’s meeting, the IEDC board’s entrepreneurship committee updated the investment policy for the Indiana Angel Network Fund III LLC—the investment fund managed by Elevate Ventures through which the SSBCI money flows.
Indy-based BCforward invests $1M in Indianapolis AI consulting startup
BCforward founder Justin Christian said the Stellar investment is one of several moves his company has made over the past year or so to position the company for future growth.
IU grad Mark Cuban offers advice on entrepreneurship, AI to Indy audience
Cuban visited Indianapolis on Wednesday to speak to a standing-room-only crowd at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress at the Indiana Convention Center.
Buzzy British sports-tech startup expands North American presence—starting in the Indy area
Ai.io, a British sports-tech startup, was named to Fast Company’s 2025 list of top 10 most innovative sports companies.
Global gathering in Indianapolis emphasizes power of entrepreneurship
The Global Entrepreneurship Congress kicked of Monday with a discussion led by Gov. Mike Braun and companies including Eli Lilly. An associated event featured a fireside chat between High Alpha Managing Partner Scott Dorsey and business author Brad Feld.
Indianapolis-based Prevounce Health on navigating tariff uncertainty
The med-tech company sources its products from a Chinese manufacturer that is one of very few in the world capable of producing cellular-connected medical devices.
Governor’s IEDC moves raise questions about planned VC growth fund
Almost exactly one year ago, Indiana officials publicly announced a significant entrepreneurial resource the state had been quietly working on for several years—the launch of a $100 million investment fund to help young companies scale up their businesses. A lot has changed since then.
Venture Club event hopes to capitalize on momentum from adjacent global gathering
The Venture Club of Indiana’s annual Innovation Showcase is an official side event of this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Congress, and the Venture Club is hoping to capitalize on the momentum of that much larger event.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.