Venture firm opening Indy office to target the overlooked
Cincinnati-based Lightship Capital is opening an Indianapolis-area office within three months to provide underrepresented entrepreneurs here access to a $50 million investment fund.
Small Business
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Barnes & Noble uses COVID-19 shutdown to refresh stores
It’s part of a chain-wide move to give store managers more autonomy. Also this week: Apocalypse Burger, Enterprise Car Sales, and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses.
Entrepreneurs launch local delivery service aimed at small retailers
The owners of Moonshot Games are launching a delivery service they say can help local independent retailers compete with Amazon.com and the big-box stores.
Speakeasy-style whiskey bar coming to Mass Ave
The historic Hammond Block building will be the second location for the bar that started in South Bend. Also this week: Fresh Thyme, The Empty Vase, Forever Gallery, Lily & Sparrow, Kits & Kaboodle and more.
Search the PPP list: Indiana colleges, not-for-profits, small and big firms receive loans
In Indiana, more than 90% of federal loans topping $150,000 went to companies, according to the Treasury Department data. About 6% of the loans went to not-for-profit organizations.
Online piano tutoring company hits a high note
The pandemic has been a boon for Indianapolis-based Piano in a Flash, which teaches adults how to play the piano using a simplified version of sheet music.
New campaign aims to raise awareness, support for local Black businesses
The campaign, which launches Wednesday, has two goals: Supporting local Black-owned businesses and helping other companies do a better job of supporting the Black community.
Money still available for PPP loans, but deadline looms
Indiana lenders had secured a total of $9.5 billion in Paycheck Protection Program loans for their borrowers as of Saturday, according to the Small Business Administration.
Hoosier startup’s computerized vegetable-growing machine taking root
While Heliponix’s in-home computerized vegetable-growing machine has always seemed like a great idea, the coronavirus pandemic might be the push to get the wider public to realize what the company’s two young founders have been espousing since they germinated the startup as Purdue University seniors in the fall of 2016.
Noblesville game shop set to open store on Mass Ave in July
It will be the second location for Moonshot Games, which opened its Noblesville location in 2018. The company says business is booming despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Black chamber leader calls for more city support
During the coronavirus pandemic—which research shows has disproportionately affected black-owned businesses—the 250-member organization has received no city funding to give loans or grants to its members who were struggling.
City’s last traditional costume shop closes permanently after 50 years in business
Costumes by Margie, which opened in 1970, almost changed ownership last month, but the pandemic ruined those plans
Fast-casual Mediterranean chain coming to Indy
Up to five more locations could open in the next 16 months. Also this week: The Black Acre Loft, Dave & Buster’s, Gold Leaf Savory & Sweet
Mass Ave Toys closes after 14-year run
The owner, who has operated toy stores for more than 40 years, said she closed the shop so she could retire.
Hogsett plans to spend $76M to help residents, businesses, government agencies affected by virus
The Indianapolis City-County Council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Monday night to consider the proposal.
Looting devastates businesses already shaken by virus
Looting and vandalism in cities across the country have dealt another blow to small businesses that were already reeling from the coronavirus outbreak.
‘We pride ourselves on a unique brand of diversity’
The shop, which opened in 2007, has been closed since March because of the pandemic. It aims to reopen Tuesday.
‘At least this is just merchandise we’re losing’
The husband-and-wife owners say the violence over the weekend stems from issues of inequality that society must address.
“I don’t think anybody purposely said, ‘Oh, yeah, I don’t like that store'”
The combination of the pandemic and ransacking of his business has been hard for the owner of the nearly 50-year-old shop to take.
Holcomb announces nearly $44M in new programs to help businesses
The biggest portion of the funds will go toward a $30 million grant program called the Small Business Restart Fund.