ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Bloomington is home to a diverse and robust economic ecosystem that supports and fosters entrepreneurial activity. The influence of Indiana University with its top-notch research capacity and pipeline of talented students is abundant. Events like Startup Weekend Bloomington and Verge, where hopeful startups pitch their ideas, are just a few of the many gatherings of entrepreneurs you’ll find around town. The community’s various business incentive programs, networking groups, counseling services, and training resources provide the ideal environment to start, grow and locate a business.
RESOURCES
The Switchboard helps entrepreneurs find accomplished executives, seasoned investors, business service providers and more in Bloomington’s ecosystem. It helps them discover resources and opportunities available to them at any stage in their business. The Switchboard also provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to connect, meet for coffee, share an idea, and expand their network by connecting with other entrepreneurs and individuals.
B-Start is a pre-accelerator program of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) designed for Indiana University and Ivy Tech student technology startups. B-Start participants are at the earliest stage of their business development and are coached through a rigorous comprehensive process of cohort activities and individualized mentorship over the course of the program to build a foundation for accelerating the growth of their startups.
The Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship at Ivy Tech Bloomington aims to develop and implement practical tools and resources for students, individuals and the community to foster entrepreneurship at Ivy Tech Bloomington and in the broader economic development region including Bloomington and its surrounding areas.
MORE RESOURCES
Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Kelley School of Business
Headquartered in Indiana University’s Kelley School, the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (JCEI) is a nationally ranked program that provides students with a wide range of experiences and classroom opportunities designed to develop their entrepreneurial perspective.
Johnson Center for Innovation and Translational Research
The mission of the Johnson Center for Innovation and Translational Research (JCITR) is to enhance IUB faculty participation in translational research and the commercialization of research discoveries through interactions with industry partners and the establishment of new companies. The JCITR Discovery Team members focus on establishing a culture that values translational research and implements processes that make it easy and efficient for faculty to participate while continuing to focus on their core strengths in basic research.
Cowork
Cowork Btown is a co-working space located in downtown Bloomington.
Indiana Small Business Development Center
The ISBDC creates a positive and measurable impact on the formation, growth and sustainability of Indiana’s small businesses by providing entrepreneurs expert guidance and a comprehensive network of resources.
SproutBox
Sprout Box is a team of product developers, creatives and business experts that invest in startup companies with high growth potential in exchange for equity.