New Year – New Changes at the Innovation Connector

As we move into the new year, we’re excited to share some updates with you. The Innovation Connector has made changes to how you can reach us. Our new main office telephone number is (765) 216-5900.

To contact our team directly, here are the updated phone numbers and email addresses:

Please note that our email addresses with bsu.edu are being discontinued. Make sure to update your records to continue connecting with us seamlessly. Thank you for making note of these changes!

Techwise Academy: New Tinker Crew Session Added for 3rd-5th Graders!

Due to popular demand, Techwise Academy is excited to announce a NEW session of our 3rd-5th Grade Tinker Crew class! Starting January 14th, this 12-week program will meet Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 PM, replacing the previously planned 1st-2nd Grade session.

Tinker Crew is the next step for graduates of our 3rd-5th Grade Coding Club, offering a student-led environment to explore advanced topics like programming, robotics, and game design. This class encourages creativity and independent learning, helping students deepen their coding knowledge while developing critical problem-solving skills.

Parents will love seeing their kids engage in activities that spark their curiosity and prepare them for future tech opportunities. Families interested in enrolling are encouraged to act quickly to take advantage of the Early Bird discount still available until December 20, 2024. For more information about Techwise Academy’s courses and to register for the January-April 2025 semester, please visit https://techwiseacademy.com/classes/ 

Business Showcase Week Celebrates Outstanding Local Entrepreneurs

On Monday, November 18th, Business Showcase Week kicked off with a celebration honoring seven remarkable individuals and their contributions to entrepreneurship and the local business community. Presented during the opening ceremony, these awards highlighted the achievements of those who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and steadfast support of small businesses in our area.

Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award Winners:

William and Karen Eason

 

 

 

 

Robert and Wilisha Scaife

 

 

 

 

Jonathan Lamb

 

 

 

 

Jennifer and Frazer Wilson

 

 

 

 

Teresa and Edward Long

 

 

 

 

Craig Robbins

 

 

 

Business Supporter of the Year:

Jeff Hern – Recognized for his unwavering dedication to fostering a thriving local business ecosystem

 

 

 

 

The Innovation Connector is proud to celebrate these outstanding individuals and their ongoing efforts to drive entrepreneurship and economic growth. Their success stories inspire us all to dream big and take bold steps toward creating meaningful change. 

 

 

Support Safety at the Innovation Connector: Help Us Purchase an AED!

At the Innovation Connector, the well-being of our community is always a priority. That’s why we’re setting a goal to raise $1,499 to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) system, a crucial tool in emergency response that can help save lives during sudden cardiac events.

During our upcoming Business Showcase Week, all donated funds will be directed toward this goal. Whether you’re attending a workshop, connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, or exploring new ideas, we invite you to join us in this effort. Your contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to making our space safer for everyone.

In addition to donating during the week, you can also support this initiative by giving cash or checks directly to our staff. Every dollar counts, and we thank you for helping us create a safer environment for all who walk through our doors!

Thank you for standing with us in this important effort. Let’s come together and make safety a top priority at the Innovation Connector! Click HERE to donate today!

Business Showcase Week: Less Than a Month Away!

Have you heard of Business Showcase Week? From November 18 – 23, Innovation Connector’s Business Showcase Week will be in full swing, offering 19 FREE events for entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders as a part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Whether you’re just learning about it or have already saved the date, this is an event you won’t want to miss. The week is packed with opportunities for growth, connection, and collaboration, catering to businesses of all sizes—from fresh startups to well-established companies looking to expand.

Now, with just weeks to go, preparations are in full swing for a fantastic lineup of events. In October, the Innovation Connector team hit the stage at Muncie on the Move to drum up excitement for Business Showcase Week. Executive Director and CEO Ted Baker, alongside Kirsten Smith, performed an entertaining skit, the “Business Showcase Week Parade.” This lively performance featured signs as “parade floats,” offering attendees a sneak peek at the 19 events lined up for the week.

The Innovation Connector lobby is also decked out with banners promoting the week as anticipation builds. The event series will include everything from networking strategies and AI for business leaders to hands-on workshops about launching new ventures and mastering content marketing. There’s something for everyone including middle school and high school students and they are all free of charge! The insights and connections you gain could be transformative for your business.

Want to stay updated? Tune in to 104.1 WLBC, where Ted is on the radio at different times providing a glimpse of what you can expect during the week. Don’t forget to follow Innovation Connector on social media for event details, speaker information, and any last-minute updates as we get closer to the big week.

A massive thank you goes out to our title sponsor—First Merchants Bank— and the other incredible organizations that have partnered with us to make Business Showcase Week possible. Their generous support allows us to offer these 19 events free of charge, ensuring the entire community can access these valuable resources and opportunities.

Whether you’re a business owner eager to fine-tune your skills, a startup looking to make connections, or just curious about the local business scene, Business Showcase Week has something to offer. With less than a month to go, now is the time to get excited, spread the word, and get signed up! Join us for Business Showcase Week from November 18 – 23. We can’t wait to see you there! Register today at showcaseweek.com.

Soft Landings: Accelerating the Expansion of Foreign Companies in Delaware County, Indiana

By Ted Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.—

MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc., in partnership with Delaware County Economic Development, is pleased to announce the award designation as a Soft Landings site by the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA).  A Soft Landings designation recognizes entrepreneur support organizations that ensure foreign businesses experience a “soft landing” when entering a new country and community to establish a business. Per the InBIA, “We recognize the rapid growth in the need for entrepreneur support organizations that can serve foreign companies. We have developed a global network of Soft Landings designated programs validated through a rigorous application and peer-review validation process.”

The Soft Landings designation is available to any entrepreneur support organization that demonstrates it has the resources and programming to meet the needs of foreign/non-domestic companies wanting to enter its markets. Designated Soft Landings locations can attract new clients by differentiating their programs designed to work with foreign companies interested in international expansion. Examples of some of these services include:

  • Translation services
  • Assistance in establishing banking and legal relationships
  • Domestic market research and entry assistance
  • Access to capital
  • Intellectual property protection and patent assistance
  • Help navigation of government regulations
  • Help with import/export laws
  • Help obtaining needed licenses, cultural training, and housing assistance
  • Immigration and visa assistance
  • Office and Facility Location Assistance

The Innovation Connector is one of only twenty designated Soft Landings sites in the USA and the only one in Indiana. Ted Baker, CEO/Executive Director of the Innovation Connector, notes, “The Soft Landings designation will play a significant role as we continue to attract foreign businesses into our community. Delaware County Economic Development has already attracted several new businesses to our community, including INOX, Clearline USA, and Trebi North America, with several other businesses currently in the process. The Innovation Connector is honored to assist with these efforts. Our center has provided office space and resources to these new businesses.”  Baker indicated strong and impactful partnerships with Delaware County and the East Central Indiana Regional Planning District as key factors in applying for a Soft Landings designation. Brad Bookout, Director of Economic Development for Delaware County, is also proud of this partnership. “The Innovation Connector and Delaware County partnership is key to attracting foreign businesses to our community. The Soft Landings designation indicates that Delaware County has the resources and the processes to assist foreign entities in the United States.  We realize we are still early in this initiative, but early successes show us the potential is high.”

For more information about the Soft Landings program, please contact Ted Baker at 765.216.5900 or email tbaker@innovationconnector.com.

About Innovation Connector, Inc.

Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. is the only full-service entrepreneurial support organization in East Central Indiana and part of the Ontario Place Certified Technology Park. Its mission is to foster job creation by providing guidance and entrepreneurial resources for individuals seeking to start businesses and for existing businesses to grow and thrive.  Please visit: www.innovationconnector.com

Holiday Hours & Closings

The Innovation Connector will be closed on Friday, December 22nd – Tuesday, December 26th. We will be open for normal hours on December 27th and 28th. The Innovation Connector will be closed from December 29th – Jan 1st. As always, residents of the Innovation Connector can access the building 24/7. We will resume normal hours on Tuesday, January 2nd.

Innovation Connector Announces Acquisition of TechWise Academy, LLC

Innovation Connector 1208 W. White River Blvd. Muncie, IN 47303
tbaker@innovationconnector.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

10/1/2023

Innovation Connector Announces Acquisition of TechWise Academy, LLC

Muncie, IN – Innovation Connector, Inc., a full-service entrepreneurial resource center and part of the Ontario Place Certified Technology Park, proudly announces its acquisition of TechWise Academy, LLC, a STEM education business known for its innovative approach to technology education.

This strategic merger represents a significant step forward in fulfilling the missions of both the Innovation Connector and TechWise Academy to bridge the digital divide and provide opportunities for individuals to acquire essential coding skills. By officially combining forces with TechWise Academy, the Innovation Connector’s goal is to leverage the expertise of TechWise Academy and its experience in the STEM education domain to expand the impact in the Muncie community.

“We are thrilled about this merger and the opportunities it presents to fulfill our shared mission of empowering our community with STEM knowledge and skills,” said Ted Baker, CEO at Innovation Connector. “Together, we are committed to providing accessible and inclusive technology education, fostering innovation, and inspiring the next generation of tech leaders.”

With this merger, Innovation Connector will now assume the responsibilities of TechWise Academy while maintaining its familiar name.

Effective October 1, 2023, the current name, Coding Connector, will be known as TechWise Academy, powered by the Innovation Connector. Baker explains,  “This collaboration will enable our organization to offer a broader range of educational programs, workshops, and online courses designed to equip individuals with the skills needed to thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape.”

“We have always had a great partnership with the Innovation Connector,” says Ryan Hunter, Co-Founder of TechWise Academy. “The physical space is top-notch, and the support from their team has been great. We’ve been aligned from day one on our mission to expand computer science education in our area. This official merger will combine resources to synergistic effect to our impact.”

For more information about Innovation Connector and the services offered, please visit innovationconnector.com. If you have any inquiries regarding the merger or related matters, please contact Natalie Smith at nsmith@innovationconnector.com.

About Innovation Connector, Inc.: Innovation Connector, Inc. is a full-service entrepreneurial resource center and part of the Ontario Place Certified Technology Park. Our mission is to see job creation by providing guidance and entrepreneurial resources for individuals seeking to start or grow businesses in East Central Indiana.

About TechWise Academy, LLC: TechWise Academy, LLC has been a leading coding instructional business known for its comprehensive approach to computer science education. Its mission is to teach coding and computer science to children, K-12, and adults, introducing them to new ways to solve problems and explore curiosity and creativity

Providing Excellent Client Experience

Join us on Thursday, September 7, 2023 for an insightful workshop on providing excellent client experiences. THIS WORKSHOP IS FREE!

It is the goal of most businesses to provide excellent customer service. While this sounds great, most businesses do not have a plan to make that happen. And even more concerning is that they have no processes or initiatives to empower employees and customer-facing team members with adequate tools to deal with customer service issues.

This session will be a practical session for all business owners and entrepreneurs discussing various aspects of Providing Excellent Customer Experiences and ways to implement them into their daily business. While customers are the core component of a business, dealing with them can be difficult and tiring. This workshop will be instructed by Ted Baker, CEO/Executive Director of the Innovation Connector, who has been trained at Disney’s Institute of Customer Experience. By participating in this session, you will receive tools and resources utilized by Disney to help turn customer complaints into happy and returning customers.

It is suggested to bring a note-taking object as much of this information can apply to your business and daily lives.

Please register for this event so that we can plan accordingly. Thank you!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Natalie Smith, Program and Events Coordinator, by emailing nsmith@innovationconnector.com or by calling 765-285-4900. We look forward to seeing you!

Spotlight – State Collection Service

State Collection Service understands that receivables management in healthcare means more than just account recovery. Your reputation in the community is one of your most valuable assets. Their service reflects directly upon your organization, so they take great care in training their staff to treat your patients with respect and dignity by using a personalized, consultative approach in their communication practices. They provide you with peace of mind while enabling you to maintain your organization’s mission. At State, they recognize that the relationship between a healthcare provider seeking account resolution and an agency like theirs is crucial. They work hard to establish and maintain trust, which is evident in the fact that the majority of their clients have been with them for years, sometimes even decades. Learn more about State Collection Service here