News Category: WEOC Women's Business Center (WBC)
12.26.24
Rosalina Perez Promoted to Director of WEOC Women’s Business Center at Northeast Indiana Innovation Center
Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC) today announced the promotion of Rosalina Perez to director of the WEOC Women’s Business Center.
Perez is a proven leader with more than a decade of experience empowering entrepreneurs and navigating regulatory landscapes. Perez succeeds Leslee Hill who, after seven years leading the Women’s Business Center, will serve as vice president for investor engagement at Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
“It is with great excitement and pride that I pass the reins of the WEOC Women’s Business Center to Rosalina Perez,” Hill said. “Her fresh perspective, agility as a leader, and gift for collaboration will breathe new life into the program. Perez is a straightforward communicator with an inspiring vision, and I have no doubt she will take the WEOC to new heights—achieving far more than I ever imagined. I couldn’t be more confident in her ability to lead this program forward.”
Perez most recently served as bilingual program manager and entrepreneurship coach, where she developed and oversaw the Hispanic program at NIIC. Her work included managing federal Small Business Administration grants, coordinating resiliency initiatives, and delivering coaching and workshops tailored to the needs of English- and Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs.
Perez’s accomplishments include:
- Establishing effective coaching frameworks and facilitating impactful peer-learning cohorts.
- Developing Spanish-language workshops and translating key resources to ensure accessibility.
- Collaborating with local Hispanic and other organizations to foster inclusive economic growth.
A recognized leader, Perez was named a 2023 Business Weekly “40 Under 40” honoree and earned accolades for her innovative contributions, including winning Purdue Fort Wayne’s Entrepreneurship Innovation & Design Pitch Competition.
In her new role as director of the WEOC, Perez will oversee the budget and continue to advocate for diverse entrepreneurs. She will also direct the NIIC coaching program, building on the center’s award-winning success. The WEOC has been named Indiana Women’s Business Center of the Year for three consecutive years and Great Lakes Region Women’s Business Center of the Year two years ago.
“Perez embodies the values and vision of the WEOC Women’s Business Center,” NIIC President and CEO Mike Fritsch said. “Her dedication to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive economic development makes her the perfect choice to lead this program into its next chapter.”
Perez’s professional and personal journey reflects her commitment to creating opportunities for business owners and driving meaningful community impact.
About the WEOC Women’s Business Center
The WEOC Women’s Business Center at the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center supports entrepreneurs in Northeast Indiana with coaching, resources, and programs tailored to meet the needs of women and underrepresented business owners. The WEOC is funded in part by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
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05.01.24
The WEOC Women’s Business Center wins third straight Indiana Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award
An agency that assists women’s business development in northeast Indiana has been recognized for its performance in 2023 by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The WEOC Women’s Business Center (WBC) will be honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration with its Indiana Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award at a luncheon this Friday in Indianapolis. The event coincides with the SBA’s nationwide observance of Small Business Week.
It marks the third consecutive year that the WEOC WBC, which operates from the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC), 3201 Stellhorn Road, has received accolades from the SBA. It was named the Indiana Business Center of Excellence in 2022 and in 2023 was judged the top women’s business center in the SBA’s six-state Great Lakes Region.
“Over the past 6 years, I have witnessed our Women’s Business Center better serve our outlying counties, expand our services to the Hispanic community, and expand our coaching staff to represent the individuals we serve,” said Leslee Hill, Director of Entrepreneurial Services for the NIIC and also the WBC director. “It brings me great pride to have our coaches recognized by receiving this award. We pour our best selves into supporting small business owners and entrepreneurs. I encourage all who dream of owning a business to come speak with us.”
“As small business owners, ourselves, we have someone on staff to support you as you achieve your dream.”
For nine years, WEOC WBC has provided low-cost and no-cost business support to women entrepreneurs across 16 counties in northern Indiana. Business coaching on business development, financial wellness, team management, operational excellence and more enables women to own and operate successful small businesses. Specific WEOC WBC assistance includes programming, coaching, mentoring, networking, and access to capital.
The SBA chose WEOC WBC for the Center of Excellence Award for 2023 based on its number of clients served, unique programming offered, and the way in which it wears its services around the client. The WEOC WBC is one of two such centers in Indiana and one of 150 nationwide.
“Small business is the backbone of the American economy,” said SBA Indiana District Director Stacey Poynter, “and they make up 99.4% of the companies located in our bold state and employ almost half of the workforce. For over 70 years as a federal agency, the SBA has been instrumental supporting their growth through a network of free resources, tools, training, and access to funding. We’re proud and we’re honored to be able to do what we do for entrepreneurs and truthfully, every week is small business week. But during National Small Business Week, we like to turn up the spotlight on entrepreneurs just a little bit brighter.”
The SBA provides significant operational funding for WEOC WBC, while the NIIC is its host organization and provides supplemental funding and complementary resources. The NIIC is a nonprofit, entrepreneurial community designed to advise entrepreneurs to plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures.
For more information, visit www.weocwbc.net.
04.11.24
We’re Expanding Our Small Business Coaching!
Here at the NIIC, we’re passionate about entrepreneurs and small business owners. We thrive on providing resources and coaching solutions designed to meet our clients’ specific needs. That’s why we’re so excited to announce that we’re expanding our small business coaching services and team!
Whether you’re just starting out or are looking for ways to grow your existing business, NIIC can help. We can connect you with a program or person who can address your specific needs like sales and budgeting, marketing, employee management, and more. Rural? Urban? Spanish-speaking? We’ve got you covered!
Even better, all our coaches have or are currently running their own small businesses and can offer real-time, tried-and-true advice, straight from the trenches!
In order to meet an ever-growing demand for these services, we’re making some important updates to our coaching process and pricing as we expand our team. Here’s a quick look at the upcoming changes.
NEW PROCESS AND PRICING
To help place clients with the right services and coach, we’re offering two paths to individual coaching, with pricing options to match.
Path #1 – Foundational Coaching. This path is ideal for those seeking business support for the first time. The foundational coaching includes an initial orientation meeting, where we’ll assess clients’ current situations and address their immediate needs.
This initial, no-cost orientation meeting will be followed by two, free group coaching sessions, where we’ll focus on general marketing and financial information. Once clients complete this initial, foundational process, they are eligible for individual, one-on-one coaching sessions at a discounted rate.
Path #2 – Direct-to-Coach. The direct-to-coach path is geared toward those who have a solid client base and are paying themselves consistently. Anyone looking to move straight to the individual, one-on-one coaching sessions can by-pass the foundational coaching. While these clients will pay full price for the sessions, we do offer a four-coaching session package at a discounted rate.
Current clients will still receive free coaching services through mid-March, when we’ll roll out the new process and pricing structure. After that time, they’ll be able to receive one-on-one coaching at the discounted, pre-qualification rate.
Note that while our programs at the NIIC are subsidized through grants, those funds don’t cover all of our coaching and workshops. Please be sure to check our website for up-to-date pricing details. Questions? Concerns? Don’t hesitate to reach out with any specific questions to info@niic.net.
We’re looking forward to helping even more small business owners and entrepreneurs move to the next stage of their small business journeys. We can’t wait to work together in achieving our mission of “entrepreneurship for all!”.
10.02.23
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Celebrating ‘National Women’s Small Business Month’ in Ft. Wayne
October is a month dedicated to celebrating the achievements and resilience of women in business.
The “Business, Equity and Opportunities” team recently had the privilege of visiting Ft. Wayne, Indiana, to meet with Leslee Hill, the Director of the SBA Regional award-winning Women’s Business Center of the Year, located inside the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center.
While women have fought for years for their chance to own businesses, it was the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 that finally opened the doors for women entrepreneurs.
In our visit, we explore how the WEOC Women’s Business Center is playing a pivotal role in helping women business owners realize their dreams and contribute to the thriving entrepreneurial landscape of Ft. Wayne and beyond.
06.02.23
Fort Wayne’s WEOC WBC Named Top U.S. Small Business Administration 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
FORT WAYNE – 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.”
05.12.23
Deadline Approaching for Indiana Businesses and Residents to Apply for SBA Physical Disaster Loan
Disaster Field Operations Center East
May 12, 2023 – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reminds businesses of all sizes and residents in Indiana with damage from severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes that occurred March 31 through April 1 to apply for the federal disaster loan program by the June 14 deadline.
Businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters in the declared counties are eligible to apply. Disaster survivors with insurance should not wait for their settlement before applying to the SBA. The SBA can make a loan for the total loss and use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.
The disaster declaration covers Allen, Benton, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Johnson, Lake, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Sullivan and White counties in Indiana, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.
Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs):
Adams, Bartholomew, Blackford, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Cass, Clay, De Kalb, Delaware, Greene, Hamilton, Hendricks, Huntington, Jackson, Jasper, Knox, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Miami, Montgomery, Newton, Noble, Porter, Pulaski, Putnam, Shelby, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vigo, Wabash, Warren, Wells and Whitley in Indiana
Clark, Cook, Crawford, Iroquois, Kankakee, Vermillion and Will in Illinois; Defiance, Paulding and Van Wert in Ohio.
SBA is operating two Business Recovery Centers where anyone can get assistance with their disaster loan application, including uploading documents, checking an application’s status, or applying for reconsideration. The centers are open as indicated below:
Business Recovery Center Johnson County
Grace of Assembly of God Church
6822 North US 31
Whiteland, IN 46184
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Closed Saturday, May 13
Closed: Sunday
Business Recovery Center Sullivan County
Sullivan City Hall
110 N. Main Street
Sullivan, IN 47882
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
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 BRCs are encouraged to wear a face mask.
Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.375 percent for nonprofit organizations, and
2.375 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
https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration #17881.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at
DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable,
applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video
Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.
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 June 14, 2023.
The deadlineto return economic injury applications is January 15, 2024.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
Recently, U.S. SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced a policy change granting 12 months of no payments and 0 percent interest. This policy change will benefit disaster survivors and help them to decrease the overall cost of recovery by reducing the amount of accrued interest they must repay. Details are available through the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. Individuals with verbal or hearing impairments may dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday, or email: DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only goto 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.
05.04.23
Local Women’s Business Center Wins Great Lakes regional award
A local support system that caters to female entrepreneurs has won the Women’s Business Center of the Year award for a six-state Great Lakes region.
Stacey Poynter, Indiana district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration, presented the award Wednesday to the WEOC Women’s Business Center at the NIIC, or Northeast Indiana Innovation Center.
The WEOC WBC serves women at all stages of their ventures, providing business growth coaching, training and education, connectivity, mentoring and access to capital, a news release said.
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
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.
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.