News Category: NIIC News
05.03.23
Fort Wayne’s WEOC WBC named top U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Women’s Center of the Year in the Region
Award presented during National Small Business Week at a press conference at the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC) on May 3, 2023
Photo 1 WEOC Women’s Business Center Clients Sabrina Link, Sabrina’s Cleaning Services; Juliana Restrepo, Columbian Delights, LLC; Leslee Hill, NIIC’s WEOC WBC Director; Liz Taylor, Taylor; Deva Betts, Game Day Photography; Lisa Mungovan, Mungovan Consulting
Photo 2 U.S. Small Business Administration Indiana District Director Stacey Poynter (far right) with the WEOC WBC team at the NIIC in Fort Wayne. The WEOC WBC won the SBA award for Best Women’s Business Center in the six-state Great Lakes Region and the state of Indiana, honoring their achievements in supporting women entrepreneurs throughout northeastern Indiana. Left to right from the NIIC: Tammy Allen, Rosalina Perez, Leslee Hill, Samantha Cazares, Jami Thomas and SBA District Director Stacey Poynter.
FORT WAYNE –May 3, 2023—The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has named the WEOC WBC as the 2023 Great Lakes Region and Indiana Women’s Business Center of the Year. The award recognizes WEOC WBC as the top-performing Women’s Business Center not only in the state of Indiana but also in the six-state Great Lakes region, which includes Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
“As the SBA Great Lakes Regional Administrator, I’m proud that we’re highlighting the WEOC Women’s Business Center during National Small Business Week,” said SBA Great Lakes Regional Administrator Geri Aglipay. “SBA-funded women’s business centers are located in every state in the nation. They are designed to level the field by expanding access to no-cost and low-cost confidential counseling and training, social capital, and financial capital so that more women can own successful small businesses that create jobs, income security and close the gender wealth gap.”
“Small business is the backbone of the American economy,” said SBA Indiana District Director Stacey Poynter. “Over 99% of the businesses in Indiana are small, and women own 47.3% of them. The WEOC WBC meets the needs of women entrepreneurs by providing outstanding support and wrap-around services using a creative, inspired, and innovative approach to programming, business coaching, and mentoring. The WEOC WBC team understands the barriers women face and meets them where they are on their journeys, without judgment. They empower women by acting as a guide lighting their way for entrepreneurial success.” WEOC WBC clients Sabrina Link, Sabrina’s Cleaning Services; Lisa Mungovan, Mungovan Consulting; Juliana Restrepo, Columbian Delights, LLC; and Liz Taylor, Taylor Spa, were featured at the press conference.
Located in Fort Wayne at the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC), the WEOC WBC serves Northeast Indiana women at all stages of their business ventures. WEOC WBC provides business growth coaching, training and education, connectivity, mentoring, and access to capital. During FY 22, the WEOC WBC served 719 clients at all stages of small business ownership, empowered nine new business starts, and helped women business owners secure nearly half a million dollars in small business funding.
“I am so proud of what our WEOC women’s business center has achieved over the past eight years and how many women and immigrants we’ve served in Northeast Indiana. We are grateful for this regional recognition from the SBA. We at the NIIC continue to focus on helping underserved communities. Leslee Hill and the NIIC team have grown our women’s program to a new level,” said Mike Fritsch, President & CEO, NIIC.
WEOC WBC’s innovative and collaborative programming includes the Launch Women Business Builder Accelerator, Masterminds cohorts, and quarterly GET REAL – Glass Floor Network events designed to address women business owners’ lack of funding and educate them on financial principles. Leslee Hill, WEOC WBC Director said, “Each year, all 150 WBCs across the country get together to share best practices and learn from and inspire each other. It’s easy to think we don’t measure up against the amazing programming provided by other centers. Receiving this regional award for WEOC WBC is such a high honor.”
Proclamations for National Small Business Week were provided by Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb and City of Fort Wayne Mayor Thomas Henry. Stephanie Crandall, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the City of Fort Wayne presented the proclamation from the city.
In addition to the SBA Women’s Business Center award, SBA Indiana recognizes winners in other SBA National Small Business Week categories, including:
| SBA Indiana Small Business Person of the Year | SBA Great Lakes Region & Indiana 8(a) Graduate of the Year |
| Haskell D. “Danny” Portee, President/CEO | Jesse Camacho, President/CEO |
| Professional Management Enterprises, Inc., Indianapolis | Camacho Equipment & Janitorial Supply, Inc., Greenfield |
| SBA Indiana Exporter of the Year | SBA Indiana Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award |
| Carol Podolak & Joy Thompkins | |
| BNutty Peanut Butter, Portage | Southeast Indiana Small Business Development Center, New Albany |
To learn more about SBA Indiana resources, services, and events, please visit www.sba.gov/in. You can also follow us on Twitter @SBA_Indiana.
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About SBA National Small Business Week
For nearly 60 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, creating about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
About NIIC
About 20 years ago, NIIC was created to solve a problem. Aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs needed somewhere to go in Northeast Indiana to incubate their businesses. Visionary leaders imagined a place where innovation and economic development intersect for a COMMUNITY. Entrepreneurs and innovators have launched hundreds of new products and patents, created thousands of jobs, and infused hundreds of millions in grants and capital into our economy.
As a Venture Hub, NIIC pulls down barriers (geographic, racial, socio-economic, and interest-based), working with the regional Community of Communities to create an ecosystem of Entrepreneurship for ALL. NIIC’s focus is collaboration and maximizing the impact of regional partners.
The International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) recognized NIIC with the 2020 Dinah Adkins Award and the Entrepreneur Center of the Year: Mixed Use Award. NIIC’s WEOC Women’s Business Center (WBC) is one of two U.S. Small Business Administration-designated Women’s Business Centers in Indiana. WEOC WBC was named the 2022 SBA Indiana Women’s Business Center of Excellence.
05.01.23
Honoring Senator Robert L. Meeks
Some of you may have known State Senator Robert L. “Bob” Meeks, who was a Hoosier stateman with a passion and vision to serve the Public’s best interest. He passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023.
NIIC exists, in part, because of that passion and vision. “During the time that Meeks was State Budget Chief, he strongly advocated for NIIC and made it possible for us to get funding. He is a big part of why we are here today. There is a good chance that NIIC would not be here without his support,” said Mike Fritsch, NIIC President and CEO. There is a place of honor for him at the NIIC Emerging Growth Center, as shown in the picture above.
We extend condolences as we honor him. We are eternally grateful for his support of NIIC and the State of Indiana.
05.01.23
MEDIA ADVISORY
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) awards Fort Wayne’s WEOC WBC as the top Women’s Business Center in Indiana and the Great Lakes region
As part of the SBA’s National Small Business Week celebrations, this prestigious SBA award recognizes the WEOC WBC as the best resource for women entrepreneurs in six states
FORT WAYNE – On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. ET the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Indiana District Director Stacey Poynter will travel to Fort Wayne to present the WEOC Women’s Business Center (WBC) with the SBA Great Lakes Region and Indiana Women’s Business Center of the Year award. The award is part of National Small Business Week events highlighting the accomplishments of small businesses and organizations supporting their growth and impact on the American economy.
Located in Fort Wayne on the campus of its host organization, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC), the WEOC WBC serves Northeast Indiana women at all stages of their business ventures. WEOC WBC provides business growth coaching, training and education, connectivity, mentoring, and access to capital. During FY 22, the WEOC WBC served 719 clients at all stages of small business ownership, empowered nine new business starts, and helped women business owners secure nearly half a million dollars in small business funding.
Media are invited to the awards presentation being held at the NIIC on May 3, 2023. Please RSVP to Laura Schafsnitz at laura.schafsnitz@sba.gov or Tammy Allen at info@niic.net. Space is limited, so early responses are recommended.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 11:00 a.m. ET
WHERE: Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (map directions linked), Lake City Bank Conference Room in the Emerging Growth Center (Building), 3201 Stellhorn Road,Fort Wayne, IN 46815
WHY: To celebrate National Small Business Week and highlight the achievements of the WEOC WBC as the go-to source for women entrepreneurs wanting to achieve their version of the American dream through small business ownership.
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About SBA National Small Business Week
For nearly 60 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, creating about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
About NIIC
About 20 years ago, NIIC was created to solve a problem. Aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs needed somewhere to go in Northeast Indiana to incubate their businesses. Visionary leaders imagined a place where innovation and economic development intersect for a COMMUNITY. Entrepreneurs and innovators have launched hundreds of new products and patents, created thousands of jobs, and infused hundreds of millions in grants and capital into Northeast Indiana’s economy.
As a Venture Hub, NIIC pulls down barriers (geographic, racial, socio-economic, and interest-based), working with the regional Community of Communities to create an ecosystem of Entrepreneurship for ALL. NIIC’s focus is collaboration and maximizing the impact of regional partners.
The International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) recognized NIIC with the 2020 Dinah Adkins Award and the Entrepreneur Center of the Year: Mixed Use Award. NIIC’s WEOC Women’s Business Center (WBC) is one of two U.S. Small Business Administration-designated Women’s Business Centers in Indiana. WEOC WBC was named the 2022 SBA Indiana Women’s Business Center of Excellence.
04.26.23
Northeast Indiana Innovation Collective Shares Positive Annual Report
The Northeast Indiana Innovation Collective had good news when Mike Fritsch, president and CEO, presented the organization’s annual report to Allen County Commissioners on April 21.
Fritsch reported the NIIC now has 11 employees. That number includes nine coaches. “And they’re all women, and they’re all awesome,” he said.
The NIIC’s goal is to transform people’s lives through entrepreneurship, Fritsch said.
“Northeast Indiana is a community of communities,” he said. For example, “The Hispanic community has been very overlooked.” Now that NIIC has two Hispanic coaches, “the program has really taken off.” NIIC also offers programs for the Black and brown community, and works with Urban League.
Commissioner Rich Beck, who was a onetime critic of the NIIC, said he was very pleased with the changes. Commissioner Nelson Peters was astounded at the number of people in the community looking to create jobs.
NIIC’s impact at the end of 2022 was 2,351 jobs created; 525 new products launched by clients; 202 patents applied for or granted; and $140 million in investment and grant income for clients.
Fritsch said NIIC helped 1,717 people last year, 81% of whom were in Allen County.
County closes on jail property
A major hurdle in the process of building a new jail was reached on April 14 when the county closed on property to be used for a new jail at 2911 Meyer Road, Fort Wayne.
The current jail in downtown Fort Wayne was the subject of a federal lawsuit, which the county lost, that dealt with overcrowding and other issues. The commissioners have responded with plans to build a new justice center at a cost of $350 million. Construction is expected to start in April 2024, with a substantial portion completed in April 2027.
04.07.23
Business Calendar – Patrick Riley, CEO of Morrow will Provide Keynote for Northeast Indiana Innovation Center’s Dr. Daryl Yost Ideas@Work Event
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19, Patrick Riley, CEO of Morrow and managing partner at Morrow Ventures, will provide the keynote for the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center’s Dr. Daryl Yost Ideas@Work Entrepreneurial Event.
Registration at https://bit.ly/4117eGZ.
Sponsor form is at https://bit.ly/40IMfsP.
Manchester Alive Main Street Chamber is hosting a countywide call-out event for entrepreneurs from 4:30 to 6 p.m. April 25 at the Community Foundation of Wabash County. The purpose is to identify what entrepreneurs need to succeed in the county.
Manchester Alive is one of four community champions of the NIIC Catalyze Northeast Indiana Pilot Program. RSVP by emailing to director@manchesteralive.org.
03.30.23
Global Accelerator Leader Patrick Riley Keynotes Ideas@Work Event April 19, 2023, Award Nominees Announced
FORT WAYNE, Ind.— March 30, 2023 – On April 19, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Patrick Riley, CEO of MORROW and Managing Partner at Morrow Ventures, will provide the keynote for Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC) Dr. Daryl Yost Ideas@Work Entrepreneurial Event.
Register, sponsor, and learn more today. https://niic.net/ideasatwork/
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-daryl-yost-ideaswork-event-tickets-557861357337
Sponsor Form: https://niic.net/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2023/02/2023-Ideas%40Work-Sponsorship-Form_FILLABLE.pdf
Riley leads a team to connect accelerators, startup studios, and corporate partners to work with and support the next wave of global startups and provide seed-stage capital to startups worldwide.
“We’re ready to be inspired by Patrick’s keynote for Ideas@Work, as he shares his expertise about how entrepreneurial service organizations and communities work together to serve entrepreneurs. It’s more than business plans and coaching. It’s all about the individuals,” said Mike Fritsch, President & CEO, of NIIC. “This message is timely and aligns with NIIC’s new initiative announced two months ago, Entrepreneurship for ALL.”
In addition to the educational component of Ideas@Work, the event also serves as a platform to recognize outstanding innovation and philanthropy in our region. This year, NIIC announces four finalists for the Mirro Founder Award.
- Sasha Chaney, Legendary Barber Co.
- Nurliza Ahmad Yee, Shwe Myeik Travel & Tour: Hajj & Umrah, LLC
- Juliana Restrepo, Columbian Delights Fort Wayne
- NiYoka Moore, Moore Unique Styles, LLC
Proceeds from the Ideas@Work Event support WEOC Women’s Business Center at NIIC, which serves female founders in Northeast Indiana. This year’s event is possible through the generous support of sponsors.
Lead Sponsors: Ambassador Enterprises, Steel Dynamics, Inc., Sweetwater
Program Sponsor: Fort Wayne Metals
Lunch Sponsors: Parkview, Purdue Fort Wayne
Table Sponsor VIPs: Chuck and Lisa Surack, Elevate Ventures, Gensyn Design, Lake City Bank, PHP, PNC
Table Sponsors: 1st Source Bank, Erickson Motors/Engine Research Group, Haines, Isenbarger and Skiba, LLC, MKS, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc., SCORE Northeast Indiana, WM Imaging Solutions
Register, sponsor, and learn more today. https://niic.net/ideasatwork/
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-daryl-yost-ideaswork-event-tickets-557861357337
Sponsor Form: https://niic.net/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2023/02/2023-Ideas%40Work-Sponsorship-Form_FILLABLE.pdf
Cutline: Patrick Riley, CEO of MORROW and Managing Partner at Morrow Ventures, Ideas@Work Keynote Speaker
About NIIC
About 20 years ago, NIIC was created to solve a problem. Aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs needed somewhere to go in Northeast Indiana to incubate their businesses. Visionary leaders imagined a place where innovation and economic development intersect for a COMMUNITY. Entrepreneurs and innovators have launched hundreds of new products and patents, created thousands of jobs, and infused hundreds of millions in grants and capital into our economy.
As a Venture Hub, NIIC pulls down barriers (geographic, racial, socio-economic, and interest-based), working with the regional Community of Communities™ to create an ecosystem of Entrepreneurship for ALL. NIIC’s focus is collaboration and maximizing the impact of regional partners.
The International Business Innovation Association (INBIA) recognized NIIC with the 2020 Dinah Adkins Award and the Entrepreneur Center of the Year: Mixed Use Award. NIIC’s WEOC Women’s Business Center (WBC) is one of only two U.S. Small Business Administration-designated Women’s Business Centers in Indiana. WEOC WBC was named the 2022 SBA Indiana Women’s Business Center of Excellence.
03.27.23
NIIC Catalyze Pilot Program Receives $90K Funding Round
Two supporters of entrepreneurial growth in Northeast Indiana are backing a Northeast Indiana Innovation Collective (NIIC) initiative with almost $90,000 in financial support. The Don Wood Foundation and Summit City Entrepreneur and Enterprise District (SEED) are funding NIIC’s Catalyze Northeast Indiana, a pilot program that will run through April 2023.
“We’re thinking big for Northeast Indiana and are humbled and inspired by the support of the Don Wood Foundation and SEED. Through our Innovation Collective, together we are bringing Entrepreneurship to ALL communities,” said Mike Fritsch, President and CEO.
“Northeast Indiana is a Community of Communities,™ defined by geography, race, language, gender, income level, veteran status, interest or anything else. The key to this program: it is community led,” said Fritsch. The program works with designated communities to champion entrepreneurship from within their communities. How does this look for business builders? It is new access to innovation and entrepreneurial resources in the form of trainings and tools for success. “It is deepened entrepreneurial support from within their own community,” said Fritsch.
Laura Macknick, President and CEO, Don Wood Foundation, said, “We were happy to support the Northeast Indiana Innovation Collective in their efforts to bring valuable training by NEXT Studios to our regional counties and Southeast Fort Wayne. Providing aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills they need to start and grow their businesses is crucial to a thriving regional economy, as a significant portion of new net job growth comes from these small businesses.”
Andrea Robinson, PhD, City of Fort Wayne, said, “This is important work with our community, expanding access to entrepreneurs. We are honored to be the second funder of this program and are optimistic about its future impact.”
Through April 2023, NIIC is piloting this new program in four designated regions. Three imperative components of the program include:
- Community Based and Led—A Champion within each region will lead the Catalyze Program in collaboration with the NIIC Collective.
- Startups Access—Through a partnership with NEXT Studios, startups and small businesses will have access to events, workshops, and tactics for innovative entrepreneurship.
- Customized to Community—NIIC will host listening sessions in each region to identify its specific innovation and entrepreneurial needs. NIIC will use those learnings to develop tailored tools and support for each community as part of NIIC’s Entrepreneurship for ALL Initiative.
Four Catalyze Northeast Indiana Champions will announce piloting the program in their communities in the coming weeks.
03.14.23
New entrepreneurship, innovation initiative focuses on three area counties, southeast Fort Wayne
The Northeast Indiana Innovation Collective has obtained almost $90,000 in grants to help launch a pilot program to support the region’s entrepreneurial base.
The Don Wood Foundation and the Summit City Entrepreneur and Enterprise District are funding Catalyze Northeast Indiana, which will include workshops and group discussions to identify needs.
The pilot program focuses on four geographic areas – southeast Fort Wayne and Kosciusko, Steuben and Wabash counties –and runs through April, according to the Northeast Indiana Innovation Collective, also known as NIIC.
“A lot of what we’re doing in this first, rather short phase is to listen to a lot of the communities out there, what they’re doing and what they need so we can tailor our programs to them,” NIIC President and CEO Mike Fritsch said during an interview. “It’s going to be pretty interesting.”
Catalyze will be community-based and led, meaning NIIC and other facilitators will work with a designated “champion” in each of the four areas. That will usually be the local economic development organization, also called LEDO.
02.09.23
Tech Startups — Winning in the Innovation Economy
Did you know Fort Wayne, Indiana, is home to an Indiana Certified Technology Park? It’s located at Northeast Indiana Innovation Collective (NIIC). You may recognize some of the companies that have launched here, including Allied Payment Network, Aptera Software, JetPro Pilots, Logistikos Engineering, Mammoth Research, and MarketSnare.
Companies are formed to solve problems. What sets tech company founders apart is how they leverage technology to solve those problems. They innovate forward to flip existing business models on their heads.
Take FinTech industry leader Allied Payment Network for example. The company is known for pioneering online bill pay. Users pay a bill by simply taking a photo of their bill and then proceeding through the process. Consumers can pay anyone and manage bills from a central location, all within their bank or credit union’s digital banking application. It’s grown to be much more than that.
Aptera Software, Inc. was founded as a custom software development company, specializing in creating mobile apps, Web apps, and websites for enterprise-level companies. They served businesses that sought to increase engagement through technology (Crunchbase.com). Core BTS acquired the company in June 2021.
JetPro Pilots provide its clients with personal services and industry-leading technology infrastructures, right here in Northeast Indiana. They knew there was a better way of doing business than the existing model. So, founders Scott Jepson (a pilot in business aviation), Jack Arnold (an aviation services broker and experienced airlines and military pilot), and Ralph Marcuccilli (a software systems entrepreneur and private pilot) created this company — did you catch that? A company created by pilots FOR pilots. They created a model where pilots were paid in a timely manner, implemented a more agreeable payment structure, and formed a business climate where pilots could succeed.
The company is in high-growth mode due to pent-up demand and offers three main services. JetPro Trip is an on-demand service. JetPro Recruit is a full-time placement or headhunting service. JetPro HR is a turnkey service providing dedicated employees to specific clients.
Logistikos Engineering founder Joe Predina turned the engineering staffing model upside down when he retired and later formed his company to provide meaningful post-retirement opportunities for world-class engineers. “We empower them to continue doing what they love to do — on their own terms.”
The company focuses on research and development for space-based remote sensors for weather forecasting. Logistikos designs, builds, and tests prototype instrument assemblies to develop new technologies with very high measurement accuracy. Their projects support the development of cameras that split the visible and infrared spectrum into thousands of distinguishable wavelengths while measuring the light intensity for each color to very high precision — better than 0.2%.
With that type of accuracy and resolution, it is possible to measure temperature and humidity in the Earth’s atmosphere in 100 different layers from space. Very few companies know how to do that well, which differentiates the company.
Mammoth Research leverages local and national resources, connections with world-class physicians, and its propriety technology to launch highly successful venture capital funds. In doing so, the company has opened venture capital investment opportunities to people who have never had access to this kind of investment tool in the past, to propel risk-takers, game changers, and innovators in the process.
“We wanted to make that opportunity accessible to others, so we decided to simplify the process through innovative technology and our due diligence for people who had never been able to access it before,” said Tommy Martin, CEO and operations manager.
MarketSnare is an innovative, marketing technology company that built its multi-location marketing platform to help businesses succeed in digital marketing. Multi-location organizations — like franchises, dealer networks, national brands, agency networks, health care, nonprofits, etc. — use MarketSnare to create local marketing programs to implement at scale across tens, hundreds, or even thousands of locations.
“The rise of local relevance” is about connecting people with the best local options available for what they need. MarketSnare is all about this. People want to connect with people.
This is so timely for NIIC. Our region is a Community of Communities, groups of individuals with various skin colors, cultures, social-economic backgrounds, ages, abilities, locations, perspectives, and more. Entrepreneurs want role models and mentors within their own communities. And these are excellent ones.
Technology connects us.
With more tech companies like these, all of us in Northeast Indiana will win in the innovation economy.
Mike Fritsch is president/CEO of Northeast Indiana Innovation Collective.
01.25.23
NIIC Embraces More Collaborative Ethos
People who start and run businesses in northeast Indiana are having a hard time finding the right support services and programs to help them get started, grow, or even survive. In many cases, they don’t even know such services exist.
It’s time we provide these entrepreneurs with a new way of finding and receiving support.
To address these issues, we recently announced a new Northeast Indiana Innovation Center – with a new vision for regional entrepreneurial support. We call it “Entrepreneurship for All.”
Over the years, we have learned that we can’t help all entrepreneurs the same way.
We are a “Community of Communities,” whether defined by geography, race, language, gender, income level, veteran status, interest or anything else.
Our region is diverse, and our entrepreneurs’ needs are equally diverse.
This requires us to offer customized support with each community rather than just to each community, building trust and cultivating an ecosystem of Entrepreneurship for All.
To offer the best support, the innovation center has embraced a new mindset. We recognize we can’t do this on our own. There are other entrepreneurial support organizations that can help, too.
Instead of competing, we commit to coordinating this support and working together as a collective to provide the best help an entrepreneur can get.
To make that happen, we have reinvented ourselves with a more collaborative identity. We’re still NIIC. Yet, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center is now the Northeast Indiana Innovation Collective. With the new name comes a new vision and new commitment.
This is all part of a plan to strengthen regional organizations serving entrepreneurs.
We will launch a new collaborative framework and software tools to empower participating organizations to work better together and create a stronger network of support for entrepreneurs.
We also commit to working with our collective to create better programs to serve five types of entrepreneurs and their businesses. This is vital for our regional economy.
Lifestyle businesses: • Whether solopreneurs or micro-businesses, they have the potential to grow into larger companies. They contribute greatly to the creative fabric of our region.
Small businesses: • Built around a great idea, these companies need help moving beyond startup phase. We’ll connect these business owners with coaching and capital.
Scalable businesses:• As established companies, they have the potential to grow big. We need to tear down barriers they face in small towns, minority communities and others.
Large corporations: • They seek to build a culture of innovation or corporate intrapreneurship to drive new business development.
Social entrepreneurs:• They seek to change the world. Their mindsets attract people to our region.
Small businesses create the most job growth, and Entrepreneurship for All is foundational to helping regional economic development plans succeed. Working together will help NIIC fulfill its purpose: To create transformative, positive impacts in the lives of people, businesses and our region through entrepreneurship.
Mike Fritsch is president and CEO of the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center.