INDIANA – Today, Governor Eric J. Holcomb proclaimed this week (Nov. 13-19, 2023) Global Entrepreneurship Week in Indiana, recognizing the many contributions entrepreneurs and small businesses have made to Indiana’s economy and communities.
To commemorate the week, Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) will host three regional entrepreneurship events, celebrating the second edition of Entrepreneurship Indiana, an annual publication honoring the entrepreneurial journey, and the growth of entrepreneurial resources like ConnectIND, a digital portal that launched in July.
“Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Indiana’s economy, drivers of progress, and architects of change,” said Sec. Rosenberg. “Each year we celebrate these visionaries and trailblazers who see opportunity where others see obstacles. Their contributions are immeasurable, and we are proud that they call Indiana home.”
Entrepreneurship Indiana 2023 is the second entrepreneurial yearbook published in partnership with PATTERN to honor the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and inspire future founders and innovators. The 2023 edition features 100 entrepreneurial success stories, highlighting the ambition, commitment, and resilience of entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and industries across the state.
This week’s events will also celebrate the recent launch of ConnectIND, a digital portal available in 11 languages that is designed to increase support for entrepreneurs and founders, powering Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This first-of-its-kind statewide listing of resources, programs, and services for entrepreneurs is designed to connect current and aspiring entrepreneurs to the right resources at the right time, providing visitors with curated connections to Indiana’s robust network of support organizations, mentors, accelerators, capital opportunities and more. Since launching in July, ConnectIND has registered 900 users and garnered 7,000 unique site visitors, nearly 22,000 site views, and over 11,000 sessions.
The IEDC will celebrate these initiatives and Indiana’s entrepreneurs at three regional Global Entrepreneurship Week events this week, hosting founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and industry mentors.
The events* will be held as follows:
- Central Region: Tuesday, Nov. 14, 1:30-4:15 p.m.
The Center – Heritage Group | 6320 Intech Way, Indianapolis 46278 - North Region: Wednesday, Nov. 15, 1-6:30 p.m.
Founder Factory – Studebaker Administration Building | 635 S. Main St., South Bend, IN 46601 - South Region: Thursday, Nov. 16, 3-7 p.m.
The Forge on 4th | 418 4th St., Columbus, IN 47201
Indiana is committed to investing in the growth and success of the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, which continues to inspire entrepreneurs, fuel innovations, create quality jobs for Hoosiers, and attract record levels of capital investment. Last year, Indiana ranked No. 1 among the Best States to Start a Business by Forbes and has been recognized as a top 40 global emerging destination for entrepreneurship by the Global Entrepreneurship Network and its partners at Startup Genome, while Indianapolis has been named the No. 3 city in the Midwest for startups for the second year in a row.
The state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has a significant impact on the state’s economy and its communities. Indiana’s youngest companies (under five years of age) account for most of the state’s net new job growth, creating more than 36,000 new jobs in 2019 alone. In 2021, Hoosier companies under five years of age contributed an estimated $11.5 billion to Indiana’s GDP. At the local level, one successful new company increases the median household income of surrounding households, driving community well-being.
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2024 edition of Entrepreneurship Indiana. If you know an entrepreneur who is making a difference in their community, nominate them today.
