News Category: NIIC News
07.20.22
SBA Announces Funding Opportunity to Provide Entrepreneurship Training to Service-Disabled Veterans
Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced a new funding opportunity for eligible non-profit organizations, state and local government agencies, private sector firms, and institutions of higher learning to provide entrepreneurship training to service-disabled veterans. The awarded organization(s) can use the funding to market, deliver, and scale existing service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs’ training programs for veterans, service-disabled veterans, and Reserve component members who intend to start new businesses or expand existing small businesses.
“In line with the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities, the SBA continues to work to remove barriers for service-disabled veterans who are interested in pursuing entrepreneurship after their military career,” said Larry Stubblefield, Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development. “Through this funding opportunity, awarded organizations will help us extend our reach to the service-disabled veteran small business community to help them succeed at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey.”
The Service-Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program (SDVTEP) award is for a base project period of 12 months, with three 12-month non-compete continuation year periods. A total of $300,000 in funding is available for this program in FY 2022. SBA anticipates making up to six (6) awards, each valued between a minimum of $50,000 up to a maximum award of $150,000.
How to apply:
For specific instructions on obtaining, completing, and submitting an application, visit www.grants.gov and search SB-OVSD-22-001.
Submissions must be sent via grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on August 18, 2022. Proposals submitted via other media will be rejected and will not be evaluated.
SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development will host an information session to answer questions about the funding opportunity on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at 2 p.m. ET via this Microsoft Teams link. To join by phone instead, dial (202)765-1264 and enter the conference ID: 760265504#. Please submit your questions no later than Friday, July 22 at 5 p.m. ET to Jerry Godwin at jerry.godwin@sba.gov.
For issues with grants.gov, please call the grants.gov support line at 1-800-518-4726 or email support@grants.gov.
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 or 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.
07.19.22
Fort Wayne to Host Great Lakes International Innovation Summit, Save the dates October 2, 3, 4, 2022
FORT WAYNE, Ind.— The 2022 Great Lakes International Innovation Summit (GLIn2) is being held in the Summit City this year. This NIIC serves as this year’s host for the annual, multi-day event, which offers educational and networking opportunities for entrepreneurial support professionals.
Save these dates:
October 2 (evening welcome reception and entrepreneurial support showcase)
October 3 (full day, including keynote speaker and breakout sessions), and
October 4 (morning half day, including keynote and breakout sessions).
Registration opens soon. For more information, including sponsorships, contact info@glin2.com. For information about last year’s GLIn2, visit the website.
“We are honored to host this year’s innovation summit. Our planning team is dedicated to providing participants a valuable, engaging experience. It includes professionals from Purdue University Fort Wayne, Mercy Health-Toledo, Michigan Business Innovation Association, and The NIIC,” said Mike Fritsch, President, and CEO, The NIIC. “On behalf of everyone involved in GLIn2 2022 Innovation Summit, we invite you to join us this year to connect with others in the space and share ideas about serving our entrepreneurial community.”
Sandra Cochrane, 2021 GLIn2 Co-Chair and President, Michigan Business Innovation Association, said, “The GLIn2 Summit is a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the region. By moving the location to a different state each year, we benefit from peer learning and explore collaboration possibilities.”
Megan Reichert, GLIn2 2021 Co-Chair and the Director, Innovation, Mercy Health-Toledo, said, “We are excited to have GLIN2 hosted by the NIIC in Fort Wayne. It will give entrepreneurial service providers in Indiana greater access to the conference and enhance opportunities for learning about resources. The innovation systems across The Great Lakes have much in common. GLIn2 provides a wonderful opportunity for networking, learning, and collaboration.”
Registration opens soon. For more information, including sponsorships, contact info@glin2.com. For information about last year’s GLIn2, visit the website.
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About GLIn2
GLIn2 began as a collaborative event co-hosted by the Michigan Business Innovation Association and the Wisconsin Business Innovator’s Support Association. It has expanded to include entrepreneurial ecosystem supporters from other Great Lakes states such as Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, as well as Canada. Each year, its attendees serve over 5,000 small businesses across the region.
The conference was created for incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces, maker spaces, economic development agencies, universities, Women’s Business Centers (WBCs), and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). All are invited to learn through industry-leading speakers, collaboration opportunities and hands-on breakout sessions.
About The NIIC
525 new products launched, 202 patent applications submitted or granted, and 2,351 jobs created—that is what entrepreneurs have achieved through The NIIC since its inception two decades ago. The NIIC has also connected Northeast Indiana companies to $140.4 million in grants and capital.
The NIIC is a nonprofit, vibrant entrepreneurial community designed to advise entrepreneurs to plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures. The NIIC bolsters innovative companies to move ideas into action. The NIIC is located in a designated U.S. Small Business Administration HUB Zone. In April 2018, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb designated The Northeast Indiana Innovation Park Campus as an Opportunity Zone through the U.S. Treasury. The International Business Innovation Association (inbia.org) recognized the NIIC as the 2020 Entrepreneur Center of the Year – Mixed-use and awarded it one of the two prestigious industry awards – the 2020 Dinah Adkins Award. TheNIIC.org.
07.18.22
Small Business Digital Ready—Tools to Help YOU Succeed
Photo by Verizon
The NIIC, WEOC Women’s Business Center (WBC), and Verizon joined to help small businesses advance in the digital world. The Digital Ready Program provides online learning and coaching to give small businesses the personalized tools to succeed in today’s digital world.
These tools are available to Indiana small business owners at no charge at this link through December 31, 2022.
Mike Fritsch, NIIC President and CEO said, “This online content is a nice complement to our current offerings for entrepreneurs. Our goal is to help connect 100 or more small business owners to these resources by the end of the year. Are you one of them?”
Watch this 30-second video for more information.
Then, register and begin today.
07.18.22
¿Fue afectado por la tormenta de viento Derecho el 13 y 14 de junio? ¡SBA PUEDE AYUDAR!
Préstamos por desastres para empresas:
Hasta $2 millones
Las empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro pueden obtener préstamos para reparar o reemplazar bienes inmuebles, maquinaria, equipo, inventario y otros activos comerciales dañados o destruidos, y prepararse para desastres futuros
Préstamos por desastre para perdidas económicas: Hasta $2 millones
Las pequeñas empresas, cooperativas agrícolas, empresas acuícolas y la mayoría de las organizaciones sin fines de lucro pueden obtener préstamos para satisfacer sus necesidades de capital de trabajo durante el período de recuperación.
Préstamos por desastre para hogares:
Los propietarios de viviendas pueden obtener préstamos de hasta $200,000 para reparar o reemplazar una residencia principal y obtener asistencia para proteger su casa contra futuros desastres. Además, los propietarios e inquilinos pueden obtener hasta $40,000 para reparar o reemplazar bienes personales, como muebles, electrodomésticos y vehículos
07.18.22
Impacted by the Derecho Windstorm on June 13-14, 2022? SBA can help!
Business Disaster Loans – Up to $2 Million
Businesses and nonprofits can get loans to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, other business assets, and to prepare for future disasters.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans – Up to $2 Million
Small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture enterprises, and most nonprofits can get loans to meet their working capital needs through the recovery period.
Home Disaster Loans
Homeowners can get loans up to $200,000 to repair or replace a primary residence and get assistance to protect their home against future disasters. Additionally, homeowners and renters can get up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property, such as furniture, appliances, and vehicles.
07.11.22
SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Businesses and Residents of Indiana Affected by Recent Derecho Windstorm
WASHINGTON – Indiana businesses and residents affected by the derecho windstorm on June 13-14 may apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced today.
Administrator Guzman made the loans available in response to a letter from Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb dated July 6, requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. Businesses and residents in the declared area can now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA. The declaration covers Allen County and the adjacent counties of Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, Noble, Wells and Whitley in Indiana; and Defiance, Paulding and Van Wert in Ohio.
“The SBA is strongly committed to providing the people of Indiana with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist businesses of all sizes, homeowners and renters with federal disaster loans,” said Guzman. “Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.” To assist businesses and residents affected by the disaster, the SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) at the Southwest Allen County Fire District in Fort Wayne at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 12:
Allen County
Southwest Allen County Fire District
7001 Old Trail Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46809
Opening: Tuesday, July 12, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Open: Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
Closes Permanently: Thursday, July 21 at 4 p.m.
Customer Service Representatives will be available at the DLOC to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help individuals complete their applications. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SBA has established protocols to help protect the health and safety of the public. All visitors to the DLOC are encouraged to wear a face mask.
“Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets,” said SBA’s Indiana District Director Stacey Poynter.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage. “Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property,” said Kem Fleming, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.
Interest rates are as low as 2.935 percent for businesses, 1.875 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 1.688 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s and should apply under SBA declaration # 17505.
Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Sept. 6, 2022. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 10, 2023.
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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
07.08.22
An Entrepreneur’s Greatest Need May Not Be What You Think
If you ask people what entrepreneurs need the most to succeed, they will often tell you it’s money. Having the capital to operate and grow a business is important. Yet, I am convinced something else tops the list. It’s something business builders themselves are often unaware they need.
Entrepreneurs’ Greatest Need
The greatest need was confirmed by Jay Bailey, entrepreneur and president and CEO of the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RICE) in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the keynote speaker for The NIIC’s Dr. Daryl Yost Ideas@Work event. “Entrepreneurs’ greatest need isn’t capital; it’s community,” Bailey said.
RICE is the nation’s largest African-American-focused incubator and has created a strong community. When working with its clients they say, “We support you. It’s ok. Let’s create a safe space for you to fail and fly.”
It’s a concept that’s working in Atlanta and can work in northeast Indiana, too.
A Community of Communities
Northeast Indiana is a community of communities. Groups of individuals with different skin colors, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, ages, abilities, locations, sex, perspectives and more. Entrepreneurs want role models and mentors within their own communities.
Usually, a certain level of trust needs to exist before these individuals ask for help to make their ideas a reality. We need to provide that for them.
The Challenge for Everyone
It takes a mindset change to realize we each have something to offer to create the community of support business builders need to gain confidence and knowledge to succeed.
Bailey challenged all with the “power of one.” He said, “Change the world, starting with the three feet around you. Look around. What do you have now that you can give? How can you be impactful?”
Northeast Indiana CAN build that for all of our communities, and it starts with you.
07.08.22
An Entrepreneur’s Greatest Need May Not Be What You Think
As appears in Business People magazine – Pro Speak
If you ask people what entrepreneurs need the most to succeed, they will often tell you it’s money. Having the capital to operate and grow a business is important. Yet, I am convinced something else tops the list. It’s something business builders themselves are often unaware they need.
Entrepreneurs’ Greatest Need
The greatest need was confirmed by Jay Bailey, entrepreneur and president and CEO of the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RICE) in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the keynote speaker for The NIIC’s Dr. Daryl Yost Ideas@Work event. “Entrepreneurs’ greatest need isn’t capital; it’s community,” Bailey said.
RICE is the nation’s largest African-American-focused incubator and has created a strong community. When working with its clients they say, “We support you. It’s ok. Let’s create a safe space for you to fail and fly.”
It’s a concept that’s working in Atlanta and can work in northeast Indiana, too.
A Community of Communities
Northeast Indiana is a community of communities. Groups of individuals with different skin colors, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, ages, abilities, locations, sex, perspectives and more. Entrepreneurs want role models and mentors within their own communities.
Usually, a certain level of trust needs to exist before these individuals ask for help to make their ideas a reality. We need to provide that for them.
The Challenge for Everyone
It takes a mindset change to realize we each have something to offer to create the community of support business builders need to gain confidence and knowledge to succeed.
Bailey challenged all with the “power of one.” He said, “Change the world, starting with the three feet around you. Look around. What do you have now that you can give? How can you be impactful?”
Northeast Indiana CAN build that for all of our communities, and it starts with you.
06.06.22
Support for Business Owners
Business ownership is on the rise. The pandemic’s impact on the traditional workplace led many people to pursue this path. It also challenged some existing business owners to find ways to recover.
Northeast Indiana small businesses are getting a boost through many organizations they may already know. The Community Navigator Pilot Program, launched on Dec. 1, 2021, provides resources and access through a network of support. Technically, it is called a collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Think of it as a hub and spoke model, like a bicycle wheel. The hub (center) is The NIIC. The spokes are community partners Allen County Public Library, Bankable, Fort Wayne Urban League, Purdue Extension Allen County and Region 3A. By working together they all expand services to business owners.
How does this help business owners? It provides greater access to resources to help them be successful. Three focus areas include technical assistance, financial resources and one-to-one coaching, training and social networking.
Technical assistance addresses issues with infrastructure and offers easy options for internet access. Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne Urban League, the Purdue Extension and Region 3A fill that need. An example of this is Allen County Public library offering loaner tablets to small business owners to work their business or access training.
Financial resources provide access to capital for those who might have difficulty securing a traditional bank loan. Bankable, Northeast Indiana supports residents to find this type of financial backing.
One-to-one coaching, workshop training and social networking — Oftentimes all it takes for a business owner to take that next step is receiving experienced, expert assistance. In northeast Indiana, that kind of coaching comes through the Purdue Extension, local Chambers of Commerce, Fort Wayne Urban League and entrepreneurial support organizations.
04.25.22
IIB: The NIIC Hires Program Manager
The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center in Fort Wayne has hired Rhonda Ladig as program manager. She is also owner of Ladig Consulting LLC. Ladig holds a bachelor’s degree from the Indiana Institute of Technology and a master’s degree from Purdue University Fort Wayne.