ITIA Launches Webpage to Share Support Services & Resources During COVID-19 Crisis

Sent by email from Indiana Technology & Innovation Association on Friday, March 27th 


ITIA Launches Webpage to Share Support Services & Resources During COVID-19 Crisis

We’ve launched a dedicated webpage to help aggregate support services and resources being offered to entrepreneurs and small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.

The webpage includes federal and state support services, and highlights virtual resources being offered by our ITIA Members.

If your organization is providing support services or helpful resources and would like them to be featured on the ITIA website and in emails, please send a description to Molly@HallowellConsulting.com.

ITIA COVID-19 Support Webpage

If you have any questions about the State response to COVID-19 or ideas for proactive approaches to help with the State’s response, you can email COVIDResponse@iedc.IN.gov.

Senator Braun Offers Business Guide for Companies Impacted by COVID-19

Indiana Senator Mike Braun’s Office has created a COVID-19 Affected Business and Employee Resource Guide to provide information about federal resources to support small businesses, including:

  • Small Business Paycheck Protection Program, which will provide small businesses with loans of up to $10 million that can used for payroll support, paid leave, insurance costs, mortgage/rent payments, and utility payments. Paycheck Protection Program Loans are eligible for forgiveness.

To view Sen. Braun’s complete resource guide, click here

The NIIC Hosts Virtual Office Hours

Virtual Office Hours—The NIIC in Fort Wayne is offering virtual office hours, which may include open Q&A sessions or focused, topical discussions. Stay tuned to our social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) for details about upcoming events. Topics will include general questions and answers format about current business challenges. Participants will help drive the discussion as well. Local experts will team with Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center (WEOC) to advise on topical issues.

  • NIIC Virtual Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday at 1:30pm-3:00pm. Contact Mike Fritsch to schedule an appointment.
  • The Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center (WEOC) Virtual Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00am on Facebook.

Virtual 1-on-1 Coaching—The NIIC is also offering virtual coaching via conference call or ZOOM. You will be matched with one of our professional business coaches, who have the expertise and knowledge to guide you. Please complete the Let’s Talk form, so we know how best to serve you.

More information is available here.

Free 30-Minute Coaching Sessions Available with Muncie Innovation Connector

As Muncie area’s premier entrepreneurial support organization, the Muncie Innovation Connector Inc. is prepared to assist you with your business questions and how to deal with this unique business environment.

If your organization or business needs or wants assistance dealing with this new “normal” such as reviewing your current business model, ideas for marketing, or how to deal with employees, etc. please feel free to contact me at tbaker@innovaitonconnector.com  to arrange a FREE 30-minute coaching session.

All coaching sessions will be by phone or ZOOM.  If we cannot directly help you, we will try to find a connection that can assist you. Coaching appointments will take place from 10 am – 2 pm Monday – Friday until further notice.

 

Salesforce Offers Free Rapid Response Solutions, Product Support

Small Business Support:
Salesforce Care: Free Rapid Response Solutions to Help Companies Navigate COVID-19

  • Salesforce Care for Small Business: Salesforce Essentials, our out-of-the-box CRM for small businesses, will be available to support our small business customers’ sales and customer service efforts.
  • Tableau for Salesforce Care: Tableau will enable small businesses to make data-driven decisions with speed regarding their unique business challenges.

Product Support:

  • We’re making our technology available to help our customers, partners and communities. Through Health Cloud, Salesforce will provide free access to technology for emergency response teams, call centers and care management teams for health systems affected by coronavirus. Tableau has developed a free data resource hub to help organizations see and understand coronavirus data in near real-time. This includes case data compiled by Johns Hopkins University as well as data from WHO and the CDC. To help teams collaborate while employees are away from the office, Quip Starter will be available for free to any Salesforce customer or non-profit organization through September 30, 2020.

We are expanding Salesforce Care with free solutions to help companies in any industry stay connected to stakeholders, even when everyone is working remotely. The Salesforce Care solutions are available immediately, and can be set up very quickly. More info here.

The Startup Ladies Hosting Virtual Office Hours

During the Coronavirus, we’re providing our startup community with additional support. Executive Mentors are here to help you with 1:1 virtual meetings. We’ll get through this together!

  • KRISTEN COOPER: Tuesdays from 8am – 10am
  • KIM SAXTON: Monday & Wednesday from 9am – 11am
  • ANGIE STOCKLIN: Tuesday & Thursday 10am – 3pm

Register here.

Virtual Startup Study Halls

We are also offering virtual Startup Study Halls on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 6-8pm. Click here for the calendar.

Startup Study Hall Online

Startup Study Hall Online is where you can go to learn how to startup and scale up your company at any time of day that is convenient for you. Our online educational platform for entrepreneurs and investors will provide you with the tools you need to go from idea, to market, to growth. Learn more.

Blog

Follow the Startup Ladies blog for helpful articles including:

The Real Truths About Virtual Meetings

Winona IT Offers VoIP Solutions to Nonprofits

Winona IT located in Winona Lake, Indiana is fast-tracking deployment of Microsoft Teams, an industry leading collaboration platform, to organizations in need. In addition, they are deploying advanced VoIP solutions, even waiving the cost entirely for Non-Profits/501C3s allowing employees to stay connected and tend to main phone lines during this time.

If you are an organization in need of help keeping employees connected during this time, please contact us at 574-306-5441 or via https://winonait.com/contact/.

For more information regarding our COVID-19 response, please visit https://winonait.com/covid-19/.

A Letter from Ted Baker – How We Can Help During COVID-19

Coaching and Advising for Small Businesses and Organizations

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Dear Business Owners,

As one of the Muncie area’s premier business resource centers, the Innovation Connector is prepared to assist you with your business questions and how to deal with this unique business environment, due to COVID-19. If your organization or business needs or wants assistance dealing with this new “normal” such as reviewing your business situation, or ideas for marketing, or how to deal with employees, etc. please feel free to contact my office (765-285-4900) to arrange a 30-minute coaching session.  All coaching sessions will be by phone or ZOOM. If I cannot directly help you, I will find a connection that might be able to assist you. Coaching appointments will take place from 10 am – 2 pm starting Friday, March 20. There will be no charge for these sessions.

 

I also want to hear from your business or organization. What are you doing to survive this and any pivots and changes you are making? You might end up being able to assist someone else who is struggling with similar issues.

My email is tbaker@innovationconnector.com.

 

Please note, too, that the Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing low-interest loans to both for-profit and non-profit businesses and organizations. Here is the link to the article.

 

Thank you and stay safe,

 

Ted A. Baker

Executive Director

Innovation Connector

Meet The Innovation Connector’s Lori Albert: A Disciplined Professional for Small Business Bookkeeping

NOVEMBER 9, 2019

By: Mike Rhodes—

Lori Albert, Financial Director at the Innovation Connector is pictured in her office. Photo by: Alexis Dishman

Muncie, IN—Entrepreneurs and small business owners seem to have a million things to juggle every day: Sales. Marketing. Business Development. Customer service. Getting the actual work or product of the business completed and out the door.

Of course, there’s one other fun little task that is extremely important to a business:  Bookkeeping. For many entrepreneurs, that skill is frequently at the bottom of the “Things to get done this month” list.

Sometimes, the financial aspects of running a business can take a back seat to other priorities. Clearly, the financial aspects of running a small business is important to ensure financial stability, but some people just don’t have the time or the inclination to handle accounting functions themselves.

The Innovation Connector can help!

Lori Albert is the Financial Director for the Innovation Connector and has been at the Innovation Connector for 11 years. “I have always done the Innovation Connector’s accounting since I started working there,” she said.

“When Ted Baker took over as Executive Director of the Innovation Connector, he asked me if there was anything more I’d like to do,” she said. “After thinking about it, I told Ted, ‘Well, I’d love to help more people with their accounting.’ ”

Lori’s interest in helping others led to her doing bookkeeping for 9 other companies as a service of the Innovation Connector.  “It’s a lot of juggling, but I’m a good multi-tasker,” she said with a laugh. “The companies I do bookkeeping for are small companies, so it’s not like doing accounting for a large corporation. Some clients only take me 5-10 hours a month depending upon the time of year.”

The end of the year is busier for Lori, with most companies doing end-of-year budgeting. “I don’t handle corporate taxes, though,” she said. Some of the organizations Lori works with are local non-profits who need the financial know-how and time savings Lori brings to the table.

Lori’s accounting work for companies runs the gamut. Some companies bring her a shoebox of materials and ask her to “just do it.” Others are more interested in some training, and through the Innovation Connector, Lori provides consultation and training for small businesses through the use of Quickbooks Accounting Software.

QuickBooks Accounting Software is an accounting software package developed and marketed by Intuit. QuickBooks products are geared mainly toward small and medium-sized businesses and offer on-premises accounting applications as well as cloud-based versions that accept business payments, manage and pay bills, and payroll functions. “If clients are willing to use Quickbooks Accounting Software, and will spend a few hours with me, I can get them up and running and teach them how to do their own accounting,” she said. “That’s also a service the Innovation Connector offers.”

An example of the QuickBooks dashboard. Photo courtesy of quickbooks.intuit.com

Bill Walters is Executive Director of the ECI Regional Planning District and has used the Innovation Connector and Lori’s accounting services for the past three years. “Lori’s bookkeeping services are fabulous for us,” he said. “She’s very professional, timely, organized, and I get what I need when I need it. It’s awesome to have a part-time bookkeeper that you almost feel is personally your own.”

Lori and the Innovation Connector would love to have more clients utilize their financial services offerings— as well as additional clients Lori can teach to use Quickbooks. After all, that is part of the Innovation Connector’s mission.

The Innovation Connector is a full-service business incubator. The Innovation Connector exists to help entrepreneurs succeed by offering resources and support to address their ever-changing needs.

Whether you need help securing funds or managing daily financial operations, Lori and the Innovation Connector can assist you. Specific financial services offered to Innovation Connector clients include:

•  Capital Identification Assistance
•  Local/Regional Loan Securing Consultation
•  Quickbooks Setup & Training
•  Bookkeeping & Accounting Services
•  Cashflow Analysis

The work achieved at the Innovation Connector benefits our entire community through a healthy ecosystem of vibrant entrepreneurship. The Innovation Connector is always looking for NEW partnerships that feed the local ecosystem, educate our people, and cultivate job growth in an organic way.  Please give the Innovation Connector a call and ask them how YOU and YOUR BUSINESS can partner with the Innovation Connector.

Innovation Connector to Host the 6th Annual BIG Idea Pitch Competition for Local Entrepreneurs

SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

By: Alexis Dishman—

Photo provided by: The Innovation Connector

Muncie, IN – The Innovation Connector of Muncie, Indiana is hosting the sixth annual BIG Idea Pitch competition for local entrepreneurs and innovators to “pitch” their business, business concepts, product or invention to a panel of judges from the business and investment community. There are many very creative and interesting concepts from people in our region, and this competition will showcase those ideas and offer what it takes to advance them. This event is for individuals in all phases of business, including startup or pre-startup. Jr High and High School students, as well as college students, are also encouraged to apply.

 

The BIG Idea Pitch competition is your chance to prove the potential of your business idea, meet people who can help you succeed, and maybe even win a cash prize! Competitors will have just three minutes to pitch before a panel of judges.

 

The schedule of events is as follows:

 

Each Training Camp will be held at the Innovation Connector from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The BIG Idea Pitch Competition Application Forms will be available on-line Monday, October 21st.

 

TRAINING CAMPS –

Training Camp #1 – Monday, October 21st

What is the BIG Idea Pitch Competition? How do ideas happen? Forming an idea as a business

or product. What is the problem being solved? What is the opportunity being seized? From ideas to solutions – how to solve problems. Does your solution fully solve the problem/opportunity?

 

Training Camp #2 – Monday, October 28th

Are there revenue streams and profit potential for this solution? Who else is currently solving the problem? How are others solving this problem? Why is your solution better or different? What value does your solution provide? How do I present and pitch? What is the judging criteria?

 

SEMI-FINALS COMPETITION – Monday, November 4th  

All competitors will pitch to a panel of judges. Five finalists will be selected to compete in the Finals to claim the place of The BIG Idea Pitch Winner 2019.

 

 

 

The BIG Idea Pitch Finals & Excellence in Innovation Awards – Wednesday, November 13th  

The Final Competition will take place at the Excellence in Innovation Awards Event held at the Horizon Convention Center.  Attendees will be able to see and hear the five finalists from The BIG Idea Pitch competition – three minutes to pitch business ideas to a panel of distinguished judges. The final results will be revealed that night with prize packages of nearly $30,000 in cash and services awarded.

 

All competitors will receive invaluable feedback, a fun experience, and valuable exposure to business leaders & potential mentors.  For more details or to make a submission, go to innovationconnector.com and click The BIG Idea Pitch link or contact Alexis Dishman at 765-285-4900.

 

The BIG Idea Pitch 2019 and the Excellence in Innovation Awards are presented by the Innovation Connector and made possible by our partners: First Merchant’s Bank, Ball State University, Ontario Systems, Ivy Tech Community College, Mutual Bank, Whitinger Strategic Services, Whitinger & Company, and The Thompson Group.

Introducing the Capstone Connector

A BSU bus driver is pictured utilizing a new digital tracking system developed by a Capstone Connector team of students. On the left, the driver is holding a blue tablet that utilized an older manual paper entry method. Photo courtesy of Huseyin Ergin

A BSU bus driver is pictured utilizing a new digital tracking system developed by a Capstone Connector team of students. On the left, the driver is holding a blue tablet that utilized an older manual paper entry method. Photo courtesy of Huseyin Ergin

SEPTEMBER 9, 2019

By: Ted Baker—

Muncie, IN—The Innovation Connector is pleased to announce the formation of the new Capstone Connector initiative. While serving as the start-up technology hub for the greater Muncie community, the Innovation Connector recognized the opportunity to connect college students to local businesses and organizations to match technology talent with existing business software technology needs. For most college majors, students must complete a final course that is a culmination of their course work called a capstone course. “There has been a disconnect with local university and college computer science talent and the Muncie community,” states Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector.  “I have had numerous area businesses ask me about connecting with student talent, but that path is not always easy. By partnering with Dr. Huseyin Ergin, a Ball State University computer science instructor, we will help bridge this gap.”

The Capstone Connector exists for one reason: to connect local community partners with university/college student capstone teams to solve partners’ technological problems by building custom software. It is open to any company, startup, a non-profit organization, faculty member, or individual. The Capstone Connector is industry-agnostic and will serve any industry as long as a computer application is needed.

Capstone Connector aims for the collaboration to be beneficial for all stakeholders. Benefits include:

  • The capstone teams benefit from working with a real partner.
  • The community partners benefit from having their technological ideas turning into software products.
  • The community has a chance to keep its bright talents to itself.
  • The students have a chance to be hired immediately – keeping talent local.

How does Capstone Connector work?

  1. Community partners propose a project to the center.
  2. Director of Capstone Connector analyzes the project. The Director will work with the client to determine fit for the program and if changes are necessary.
  3. Capstone Connector assigns a student development team to the community partner.
  4. Community partner and student development teams work together by meeting at least once a month. At every meeting, student teams are responsible for creating and demonstrating a running software to their community partners.

“Capstone Connector doesn’t have strict requirements for the proposed projects,” said Dr. Huseyin Ergin, Director of Capstone Connector. “The only thing you need to be aware of is that we don’t build business card-like static web pages. There are hundreds of online services that do this for no or low cost. We are developing custom software for your custom needs. It might be a full-stack application, a library, a mobile application, a web application, or any other software development. The community partner is free to select its technology stack for the projects. If not, the director and the team will choose the most suitable stack for the partner.”

A Success Story:

An example of a recent project was for the BSU Bus Shuttle system. The capstone team built a web application software to replace the paper-based bus statistics collection of the Transportation Services. The supervisor can now track how many people get on the bus or left at the stop more accurately, easily, and with fewer errors. The application is designed to work with inconsistent internet connections and not lose any data. (See photo above.)

Cost of the projects:

The accepted projects do not have any development costs billed to the partner. However, there may be some fees for the expenses of the student teams used to cover the partner-student team meeting expenses (such as traveling) and any software licensing or cloud costs throughout the development.

Contact Capstone Connector:

The Capstone Connector also can provide a solution for keeping the projects running after the student development team graduates. Capstone Connector also respects your intellectual property. Just contact us to discuss your specific situation or to propose a project.

Dr. Huseyin Ergin, Director of Capstone Connector, hergin@bsu.edu
Ted Baker, Executive Director of Innovation Connector, tbaker@innovationconnector.com,

Direct Office Contact Number: 765-285-4902

www.capstoneconnector.com

Innovation Connector and TechWise Academy Announce New STEM Classes for Fall 2019

AUGUST 15, 2019

By: Brandon Coppernoll, Co-Founder, TechWise Academy—

Muncie, IN—The Innovation Connector is partnering with TechWise Academy to host a new lineup of STEM classes through the Coding Connector starting on August 16. These classes help K-12 students learn computational thinking and computer science through coding and robotics.

Ryan Hunter, co-founder of TechWise Academy, leads a Minecraft Party in which students get to learn about command blocks and play online in a safe environment. Photo provided

Ryan Hunter, co-founder of TechWise Academy, leads a Minecraft Party in which students get to learn about command blocks and play online in a safe environment. Photo provided

New classes this Fall feature Sphero robots for elementary students and new coding classes for middle and high school students. Younger students from kindergarten through second grade will have more opportunities to build and learn with LEGO WeDo robots than before.

“What is being taught at the Coding Connector is truly the language of the next generation. We are thrilled to be offering such fun learning experiences for the youth of our community,” says Ted Baker, Executive Director at the Innovation Connector.

The Coding Connector combines a state-of-the-art facility with fiber-based internet access, computer resources, an active marketing and business center, and instructors from TechWise Academy to provide youth opportunities to learn and have fun. Students will get hands-on experience building and programming LEGO robots and use online tools such as Scratch.

TechWise Academy, co-founded by Ryan Hunter and Brandon Coppernoll, provides a custom curriculum to build on what students are learning in schools and creates an environment for students to gain access to caring instructors and the technology they want to use.

Ryan added, “Our classes are designed to challenge students and provide them frameworks for solving problems. The best part, though, is that they’re having so much fun they typically don’t realize how much they’re learning.”

Parents and students will be able to find the class schedule and register at techwiseacademy.com/classes. With a class nearly every week, there are many opportunities to learn more about computer science with friends.

 

TechWise Academy teaches children to love coding and technology through fun, innovative and educational courses in East Central Indiana. Visit techwiseacademy.com  for more information.

What Can Muncie’s Innovation Connector Do For Business Ideators?

*Original story posted on the Muncie Journal

JULY 29, 2019

By: Mike Rhodes—

Outside View – From White River Blvd.

Muncie, IN—Are you an innovator? An idea generator? Do you think BIG? Are you a dreamer?

If so, then you probably have a little bit of entrepreneur in you— natural skills and abilities that make you a person that thinks “Why not?” instead of “Why?” Some people can answer those “Why not?” questions all on their own and simply start blazing their own trail with great success. For others, the road to fully realizing an entrepreneurial idea/venture can be fraught with uncertainty, fear, and a lack of focus. And that’s OK, because it’s fairly commonplace to “wander around in a mud puddle” for a while in any new venture.

Muncie’s Innovation Connector is here to help you. They’re here to provide you with FOCUS. They’re here to help reduce or eliminate your FEARS. And they’re here to provide you with a sound PATH, GUIDANCE, and RESOURCES to support you.

Some Innovation Connector Statistics You May Not Know…

The Innovation Connector/clients currently has 31 resident clients, 22 non-resident affiliate clients, and 95 full-time equivalent employees.

Total payroll for Innovation Connector members in 2017: $3,897,520
Average payroll per Innovation Connector member employee in 2017: $41,026
Invested Capital: $167,580
Average wages in 2017: $50,762
Average wages in 2015: $41,721

 

Startup Tools and Education

From an initial assessment utilizing Growth Wheel® tools to an intensive business startup FastTrac® course or utilization of the Purdue University Foundry Firestarter® program, the Innovation Connector is equipped with a fully certified staff to assist you. If you want to start or grow a business in East Central Indiana, the Innovation Connector is the place to plug into a network of business support.

“Muncie is so fortunate to have such a quality economic support organization like the Innovation Connector. It is very rewarding to see businesses start and grow right here in our community.”—Ted Baker, Executive Director

Dreamers often walk through the doors of the Innovation Connector to participate in one of the many programs hosted at the facility. One of the signature events the Innovation Connector hosts is their annual Big Idea Pitch competition.

Big Idea Pitch Participants For Each Year: 2014-2018

One of the Innovation Connector’s Big Idea Pitch participants was Ashley Runkle. With the help of the Innovation Connector, Runkle launched Kiddo Keepsakes. Runkle says, “The Innovation Connector and all the great people there were instrumental in launching Kiddo Keepsakes. By connecting us with other business professionals in the community whose services we needed, the Innovation Connector helped us reach our goal of creating this new company.”

In addition to the Big Idea Pitch competition, the Innovation Connector offers a variety of events such as:

Signature Events—
The Big Idea Pitch
Excellence in Innovation Awards

Sponsored Events—
One Million Cups™
Kauffman FastTrac™
Small Business Seminars and Specialized Workshops

Partnered Events & Groups
Shafer Leadership Academy
Coding Connector, Techwise Academy
East Central Indiana Social Media Group
East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center
Website Through the Nite
Venture Club of Indiana Innovation Showcase Regional Pitch Competition
Ball State University Student CEO Hack-a-thons
Charge ECI

Additional services offered at the Innovation Connector include:

Business Planning

The word planning is a verb. Planning is an action. A continual ongoing process. Business planning is not something you do once and then quit. Far from it. It’s a process that should continue throughout the life-cycle of a business. But, how do you do business planning? What is involved? What does business planning mean? Ted Baker, executive director of the Innovation Connector provides business planning services to entrepreneurs. The planning process is achieved by one-on-one coaching with Ted and a variety of tools he uses to help get you started.

Marketing/ Product/ Company Branding Services

In the startup phase, a new company is the expert in what they do. However, new entrepreneurs may not be an expert on how to “tell others” what they do.  The Innovation Connector provides marketing services to their clients in order to help them introduce, refine or redefine their client’s marketing messages so the company can reach out to their customer base in a proper way. In addition, through a needs analysis with a legal consultant, the Innovation Connector can help you with patent, trademark and copyright issues.

Sales Analysis, Coaching and Financial Services

Sales analysis is the process of looking at your sales and analyze where sales are coming from. And possibly where they are lacking.  Ted makes sure the coaching offered by the Innovation Connector helps businesses understand their individual financials.  “We look at your sales, cash flow, your costs of goods sold, and other key business indicators,” says Ted.  “We analyze what’s working and what might need adjusted. We can identify where more emphasis is needed.” In addition, In the Innovation Connector offers entrepreneurs a wide variety of specific financial services such as: Capital Identification Assistance, Securing of Loans, QuickBooks setup and training, bookkeeping and accounting services and cash flow analysis.

Networking and Training Opportunities

The Innovation Connector realizes the importance of connecting with others through their various training and development seminars held throughout the year.

Ron Fauquher, IC board chair is pictured presenting the "Excellence in Mentorship" award to Delaina Boyd.

Ron Fauquher, IC board chair is pictured presenting the “Excellence in Mentorship” award to Delaina Boyd.

 

“Creating jobs is tough work and takes the support of the entire community. Fortunately, the Innovation Connector has partnerships that support this vital economic development work here in our community. Without that support, the ‘tough work’ would be immeasurably more difficult.” —Ron Fauquher, IC board chair

Partners Make It Possible

The work achieved at the Innovation Connector benefits our entire community through a healthy ecosystem of vibrant entrepreneurship. The IC is always looking for NEW partnerships that feed the local ecosystem, educate our people, and cultivate job growth in an organic way.  Please give the Innovation Connector a call and ask them how YOU and YOUR BUSINESS can partner with the Innovation Connector.

Innovation Showcase Regional Pitch Competition Coming to Muncie

*Original Story posted on the Muncie Journal.*

JULY 11, 2019

By: Ted Baker—

Muncie, IN—The Venture Club of Indiana, in partnership with the Muncie Innovation Connector, will be hosting the 3rd annual Road to the Showcase Regional Pitch Competition on July 23, 2019, at the Innovation Connector, 1208 West White River Blvd., Muncie.  This event, one of several throughout Indiana, is a qualifier for the Statewide Innovation Showcase to be held in Indianapolis on August 22, 2019.  This contest will showcase winners from all regional competitions around the state. Venture capitalists from around the US will be in attendance and will be looking for investment opportunities.  Significant prizes will also be awarded to the winners.

This competition is open to any investment-ready companies looking for the opportunity to raise capital for growth and to advance their products or services. Anyone with an idea ready for growth or existing business on a scalable growth path is invited to participate in this event. Participation is free but is limited to ten participants.  The maximum time for each pitch is five minutes with possible Q & A from the judges.

Prizes will be awarded as follows:

  • $500 in cash – sponsored by Elevate Ventures for the winner as well as entry into the State Innovation Showcase Pitch Competition. The winner will also receive, from the Innovation Connector, direct assistance for preparing for the Innovation Showcase including pitch deck assistance, pitch delivery and follow up coaching for their business.
  • All entrants may be awarded the opportunity to receive FREE software/application development based on the need and scope of the project.

To register to pitch or if you need additional information about pitching, please contact Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector, at 765-285-4902. The deadline to enter is Friday, July 19that noon.

The public is encouraged to attend this event.  This event is free to attend but RSVP to Alexis Dishman at the Innovation Connector at 765-285-4900.

Executive Director of the Innovation Connector comes to Blackford County

By KAREN CORMIER, News-Times Editorial Associate

Mar 6, 2019

Studies show that 89% of the American business landscape is made up of small businesses employing less than 20 workers. Blackford County is no different. Recently the Blackford County community was invited to an informational roundtable discussion with Ted Baker, the Executive Director of the Innovation Connector located in Muncie.

During the hour-long discussion, held in Montpelier, about the importance of Small Business and Business Startups, Baker went through “the emotional journey of creating anything great.” He spoke about the ups and downs, the dark swamp of despair, and the importance of persistence. He explained how some business owners “get lost working in their business, instead of working on their business.” He went through some of the mistakes to avoid when starting a new business and/or continuing to grow an already existing small business. Three essential skills were discussed: complex problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration. He spoke with passion about wanting to “strengthen rural businesses” and reaching out to help people of the community reach their goal of becoming a potential business owner.

Baker shared his childhood entrepreneurship with him starting at just eight years old with the mindset that he was all about business. At that time, he had no realization of the big impact he would be giving those who he’s been able to help all these years later. Baker has a very open and honest personality. His realistic and practical thinking allows for those he’s helping, whether it’s coaching or lecturing, to feel connected. It also gives them hope that their dreams of owning or running a business can happen as long as the passion and persistence is there.

At the end of the discussion, those in attendance were offered the opportunity to grow their knowledge of starting up not only a business but a viable business by joining Baker in a six week online training course through the Kauffman FastTrac program. The Kauffman FastTrac program is a flexible course with a solid framework that supports you as you start a business and begin that new journey to success. The immersive course is designed to provide information, tips, exercises and tools to help you think about your business idea. Baker was certified in the fall for this virtual training of the Kauffman FastTrac program. He states “this is the most comprehensive training brought to rural communities.”

Listening to Baker speak one thing became very clear, he has a big heart for what he does. After graduating from Ball State University in 1980, Baker’s has had a multi faceted career including management of small businesses, the starting, growing, buying and selling of businesses, as well as assisting with the establishment of several area not-for-profit organizations. He has also had experience in successfully exiting a company, franchisee/franchisor relations, and workshop and training facilitation. Baker is a Certified Incubator Manager with the International Business Innovation Association as well as a Certified Growth Wheel and a Certified Wendy Kennedy International Business Coach. Baker serves on several boards as well as an instructor in Entrepreneurship at Ball State all while being heavily involved in the community.

In 2002, The Innovation Connector became a reality by locating in a residential space adjacent to Ball State University and within two years expanded. With continued success, they moved to an interim facility in downtown Muncie. In 2007, the board of directors approved construction of a 15,000 sq. ft facility to be located at the Ontario Place Certified Technology Park completed in 2009.

The past several years have been an exciting time of change and growth for IC. In 2010, they welcomed Baker as the new Executive Director. During this time, the IC number of businesses that call the IC home has increased to over twenty businesses.

The IC provides direct connections to services, resources, experienced business men and women, and supporting agencies right within the building. It also connects them to business professionals in the community. These are connections that individuals might not make on their own. With these connections, their staff has seen the growth of businesses and success of clients, both internal and external. The IC exists for one purpose: to help new entrepreneurs with truly unique business ideas turn their dreams into a reality.

Currently in order to address the needs of transient professionals and home based businesses, the “Landing Zone” opened in, 2013. The Landing Zone is a place for non-traditional entrepreneurs to not only work, but network and grow. Benefits include one desk in a shared workspace, high-speed internet, 24/7 access, use of IC conference rooms, a USPS mailbox, access to a printer/copier, bookkeeping, and business coaching.

In 2014, the IC joined the City of Muncie in a collaborative project sharing in the creation and management of the Downtown Business Connector located on the floor level of The Lofts of Roberts in Downtown Muncie. This collaborative, open concept co-working space allows the Innovation Connector to extend its ever encompassing services to entrepreneurs, independent professionals, freelancers, and startup businesses seeking an affordable alternative to dedicated office space or coffee shop housing.

For more information on the Kauffman FastTrac six week course or on the Innovation Connector please contact Ted Baker via email at tbaker@innovationconnector.com

This article originally ran on hartfordcitynewstimes.com.