11.01.24
NIIC Announces Retirement of President & CEO Mike Fritsch
October 31, 2024 – The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC) today announced the planned retirement of Mike Fritsch, president and CEO, effective December 31, 2024. Fritsch has been an integral part of the NIIC’s impact for more than two decades. He has led the NIIC since December 2021, following a longstanding commitment as a founding board member, a client with a startup company, and later a dedicated member of the staff.
[Mike Fritsch career profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fritschmike]
“On behalf of the NIIC Board of Directors, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Mike for his exceptional leadership and dedication over the years,” said Ron Double, Chair of the NIIC Board of Directors. “Mike’s passion for fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs has been instrumental in the NIIC’s continued growth and success. We are incredibly grateful for his contributions to building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northeast Indiana.”
Throughout his tenure, Fritsch has overseen significant milestones for NIIC. As CEO, he spearheaded NIIC’s strategic rebranding and sharpened its mission on “Entrepreneurship For All,” empowering a diverse range of entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, the NIIC expanded its programs and services to Black, Hispanic, and rural communities, ensuring businesses at all growth stages receive crucial support. He also successfully greatly increased the cooperation and collaboration among support organizations across the region. His work exemplifies NIIC’s dedication to economic growth and inclusivity.
“It has been a privilege to lead the NIIC and contribute to the incredible innovation ecosystem we have here in Northeast Indiana,” said Fritsch. “It has been an honor to work with our clients and partners. My staff is amazing. I am incredibly proud of all we have accomplished together, and I am confident that the NIIC will continue to play a vital role in the region’s economic success.”
The NIIC Board is following a Succession Plan and will provide updates on the leadership transition process in coming months.
About Mike Fritsch
Mike Fritsch began his career as an electrical engineer with ITT Space Systems. From 1983 to 2002, he served as president of Logikos, growing the company to over 70 software engineers. He then co-founded ZOOM Information Systems, personally attracting over $11M in new business and $2.75M in grant awards for ZOOM. Fritsch’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation has shaped his leadership of the NIIC.
About the NIIC
The NIIC is a non-profit organization that fuels entrepreneurial success and drives economic development throughout Northeast Indiana. The NIIC provides business incubation, acceleration, and education programs, along with access to funding, mentors, and professional networks. For more information, visit https://niic.net.
