Spotlight – East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center

The Indiana Small Business Development Center (Indiana SBDC), which is housed within the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, helps small businesses start, grow, finance, innovate, and transition through no-cost, confidential business advising and training. The Indiana SBDC was established in 1985 with funding support from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the State of Indiana and has worked with over 50,000 entrepreneurs and small businesses. With a network of 10 regional offices throughout the state, the Indiana SBDC helps Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses start stronger, grow faster, and work smarter.
The East Central Indiana Location is located here in the Innovation Connector, helping hundreds of people a month.

Intellectual Property Basics: USPTO

Unfamiliar with patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Damian Porcari, Regional Director of the Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), about intellectual property (IP) basics and potential ways to protect your innovation as you transition from idea to product. Join him in person on Thursday, June 1 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET at the Innovation Connector at 1208 West White River Boulevard in Muncie, Indiana. The target audience for this session is aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, students, small businesses, and start-ups. Space is limited, so register early. The discussion will cover: An overview of intellectual property types: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
Why innovators and entrepreneurs should consider protecting their IP
Local resources and assistance are available through the USPTO and other agenciesFor registration, please visit: Intellectual Property (IP) Basics at Innovation Connector to register for this FREE event. For more information, email  or call 313-446-4800.

Guide to Starting a Business–Delaware County

 Launching Your Own Business

This workshop is your first step towards small business ownership success. Every successful business is built on a solid foundation. This class will help you evaluate your business idea with the end in mind.

Overview of Topics Touched from the “Guide to Starting a Business”:

1. Perform a Self-Assessment

2. Perform Market Research

3. Refine or Reconsider Your Business Idea (Is it Viable?)

4. Analyze Your Startup Costs

5. Refine or Reconsider Your Business Idea (Is it Feasible?)

6. Write Your Business Plan

7. Complete the Startup Checklist

8. Secure Financing

Register here: https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16310

 Judy Porter (765) 282-9950
 1208 W White River Blvd, Muncie IN 47303-8002

Entrepreneur Showcase Week Sponsorship Announcement

We are excited to announce that sponsorship opportunities are now available for Entrepreneur Showcase Week 2023, hosted by the Innovation Connector! This highly anticipated event celebrates and empowers entrepreneurship as well as innovation and the spirit of creativity.

We are thrilled to have secured our title sponsor. Their generous support and commitment to fostering entrepreneurship have set the stage for an incredible week of inspiration, education, and networking. Several sponsorship opportunities are available for companies and organizations that want to be part of this exciting event.

One of the big sponsorship opportunities is The Big Idea Pitch Sponsor. This sponsor will have the opportunity to support and present the highly anticipated “Big Idea Pitch” competition. Additionally, we are also seeking In-Kind Food Sponsors to provide delicious meals or snacks. This sponsorship is an excellent opportunity for restaurants, catering companies, and food-related businesses to showcase their culinary offerings to a diverse audience of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals.

For a comprehensive list of sponsorship opportunities, including benefits and pricing details, we invite you to download the sponsorship PDF.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this extraordinary event. Secure your sponsorship today, click here or contact Ted Baker at tbaker@innovationconnector.com or 765.285.4900

Let’s come together to celebrate and empower entrepreneurship during Entrepreneur Showcase Week 2023!

Enneagram 101 is Back!

Join Jennifer Stanley for Enneagram 101 5-Week Course

This class aims to equip you with powerful questions that will help you live and lead with authenticity, humility, and balance
Virtual: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
In-Person: 6:30 – 8:00 pm

May 17, 2023

May 24, 2023

May 31, 2023

June 7, 2023

June 14, 2023
$149 total for all 5 sessions, REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
If you are new to the Enneagram, we HIGHLY recommend taking an online assessment as a starting point. Go to www.enneagraminstitute and click “take the RHETI test”. It is $12 and will be valuable as you find your number. You will receive an informational review that you can bring with you to class.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER