July 10, 2014 – Muncie, IN – Pam Price has been named Executive Director of ECI-Regional Planning District. The decision was made by ECIRPD’s Board of Directors during their quarterly board meeting as part of a succession plan for President E. Roy Budd’s upcoming retirement. Read more
July 1, 2014 – Muncie, IN – Shafer Leadership Academy, East Central Indiana’s nonprofit leadership development institute, will present the leadership program Fusion: Leading Multi-Generational Teams on Thursday, July 31st, 2014. The workshop will be from 8:00am to 12:00pm at the Innovation Connector in Muncie, Indiana. Read more
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April 21, 2014, Muncie, IN – CTS (Complete Technology Solutions) is pleased to announce the addition of Kenneth Bartling to its Muncie staff. Ken will serve as a PC and Network Technician for CTS.
“We are delighted to have Ken join our team,” said Travis Street, President and Owner of CTS. “Due to the growth and impact of our business, this position became necessary for CTS to continue to provide our business clients with needed services.”
Ken comes to CTS with a wide array of experiences and talents. He is a graduate of Ivy Tech Community College with an A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems Technology with a Technical Certificate in PC Support and Administration. Ken’s certifications include: CompTIA A+(2006 & 2009 Standards), Network+, Multiple Dell, HP, Samsung, Toshiba, Apple 10.5 Support Specialist as well as Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7 & Mac OS X systems and multiple Server Systems.
“We are proud of the growth and impact that CTS is making in the Muncie community,” said Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Muncie Innovation Connector. “We are glad that CTS has chosen the Innovation Connector as its home to build and grow their business.”
March 18, 2014 – Muncie, IN – The Muncie Innovation Connector is pleased to announce the addition of Jennifer Greene to its staff as Project Coordinator for operations and programming.
In her new role, she will be responsible for planning and managing events with IC clients, offering graphic design assistance for marketing pieces and the quarterly IC newsletter, maintaining all social media outlets for the organization, and implementing the IncuTrac software management system for the IC. Jennifer will also serve as Community Outreach Coordinator for the East Central Indiana Regional Planning District, located in the Innovation Connector.
“Due to the growth in clients and overall impact of the Innovation Connector, this position became necessary to continue providing our business clients with the wide variety of services they need,” said Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector.
Jennifer comes to the Innovation Connector with a wide array of experiences and talents. She is a graduate of Jay County High School and International Business College. Jen’s work experience includes serving as Director of Montessori Academy of Goshen, IN, Assistant to the Dean of the School of Business at Ivy Tech Community College East Central Region, and most recently, Administrative Assistant for the ISBDC East Central Region. Jen also serves on the ECI Social Media Group Committee, is a member of Women in Business Unlimited (WIBU), and is very active in school activities with her two children.
Lori Albert, Financial Director for the Innovation Connector added, “Jen’s experience with social media management and graphic design, along with her organizational abilities, make her a great fit for this role and we are thrilled that she has joined our team.”
February 10, 2014 – Muncie, IN – The Innovation Connector will host an event for business owners to speak with three reputable attorneys on understanding the legal side of their businesses and discuss how to better protect their organization. The event will be held on Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 from 11:00am to 2:00pm.
The attorneys that will be presenting include Jim Borgman and Shawn Neal from Defur Voran, LLP as well as Chuck Schmal from Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, McNett, & Henry LLP. Jim Borgman, whose primary focus is on Business and Corporate law, will discuss establishing, acquiring, assisting, and transferring businesses. Shawn Neal will detail employment law, focusing on human resources issues. Chuck Schmal will give insight to business protection through patent, trademark, and copyright laws.
To attend this event, you must register by calling the Innovation Connector at 765-285-4900. The cost to attend is $60, which includes the three hour presentation and lunch. All proceeds will to go the BSU Chapter – American Marketing Association.
To download the event flier, click here.
For more information on this event or the Innovation Connector, please visit www.innovationconnector.com .
December 2, 2013, Muncie, IN – The Innovation Connector is partnering with East Central ISBDC to host an event for small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to learn more about the Affordable Care Act, and its effects on their businesses. This event is free and will be held on December 10th, 2013 at 2:00pm at the Innovation Connector.
To attend this program, organizations must register online at http://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/ Conferences.action?centerID=11 or call Jennifer Greene at 765-282-9950. The event sponsored by U.S. Small Business Administration will be presented by Gregg McAllister from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services- Health and Human Services and Deborah Hester from Indiana ACA Health Navigator- Plus One Enterprises. Topics will cover the ACA insurance program basics, discussion of the Small Business Health Options program, decision-making tips, and health insurance registration guidance.
Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector notes, “There is so much information out there about the Affordable Care Act. As a business incubator, we are pleased to host a program that offers better understanding to small business owners and how they can best prepare for these changes.”
September 16, 2013, Muncie, IN – The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has informed the city of Muncie that the Ontario Place Certified Technology Park (CTP) has received Certified Technology Park recertification for another four years. According to a document prepared by Mr. Eric P. Shields, Policy Director for the IEDC, “The IEDC has completed its review of the application submitted. In consideration of the efforts and achievements with the CTP, the IEDC hereby extends the Certified Technology Park status for an additional four year period.”
Ontario Place Certified Technology Park is located in the area near the intersections of White River Blvd. and Jackson Street in Muncie. The Park is home to Ontario Systems Inc., Whitinger & Company LLC, and an office location for IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. In the heart of the Tech Park is the Muncie Innovation Connector, the area’s premier business incubator that is home to over twenty businesses and organizations. In 2012, the businesses located in the Tech Park accounted for over 450 local jobs.
According to Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector, “Recertification of the CTP is instrumental to the continued growth and development of new and existing businesses in the Muncie area. The Innovation Connector serves as the “Gateway to Entrepreneurship” assisting many with business formation.”
August 29, 2013, Muncie, IN – The Muncie Innovation Connector will host a unique event for area businesses to learn more about the opportunities available from the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, on Thursday, October 31, 2013. This event will be held at the Innovation Connector from 11:00am-2:30pm and lunch will be served.
To attend this event, reservations are required due to limited seating, but there will be no cost. This workshop will be presented by three representatives from Crane: Brooke Pyne, Reggie Joslin, and John Dement. It will include an overview of the Crane Division, a federal laboratory of the U.S. Department of the Navy in Crane, Indiana. Topics will cover accessing technical assistance and equipment, collaborating with Crane, licensing Navy-developed technology for commercial use, and how a business or educational institution would do any of these.
Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector comments, “This is a great opportunity to learn about one of the true gems located within our state—Crane Naval Base. The three presenters from Crane will share how area businesses and organizations can utilize highly sophisticated Intellectual Property and technologies that have been developed by the U.S. Navy. They will also review how to do business with Crane. This event is an open door for area businesses to access Crane technology. It is an opportunity you do not want to miss.”
Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane holds 140 patents on technology developments, and has filed for some 150 more. Its main technology areas are testing, manufacturing methods, first responder, physical security, small arms and accessories, optics and lasers, pyrotechnics and demolition areas, antennas, sensors, and communication devices, and software.
August 26, 2013 – Muncie, IN – Muncie, Indiana based business incubator, The Innovation Connector, is excited to announce the official launch of its new website (innovationconnector.com). The site introduces a clean, professional look consistent with the IC brand, details the facilities and services it offers, showcases a portfolio of existing clientele, and is built on a content management system to allow for the easy updating of content.
The Innovation Connector website reflects how the organization is a beneficial resource for growing businesses in East Central Indiana. It features an innovative design, subtle attention grabbing page animations, and photography of the facilities and office spaces. The responsive design was incorporated to allow audiences to view content from all platforms – desktops, laptops, tablets, or mobile devices.
“Innovation Connector is a valuable resource for business owners. With this new site, we can promote ourselves while guiding entrepreneurs to success,” stated Ted Baker, Innovation Connector Executive Director.
This site was built by Whitinger Strategic Services, a Muncie-based business development firm which has served as a strategic partner since 2008.
The Innovation Connector is a full service business incubator which exists to help entrepreneurs and new and existing business owners succeed by fostering partnerships of small business owners to resources with the tools and support to address the ever-changing needs of an entrepreneur. The services offered at IC include networking, financial packaging, technical transfer and commercialization, business consulting and coaching services, and patent, trademark, and copyright assistance.