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Ashli Smith2025-10-29 14:28:572025-10-29 14:30:32Innovation Connector Discusses New Leadership and Upcoming Business Showcase Week on WMUNOpportunity to Give During
Business Showcase Week
In past years, community donations during Showcase Week helped fund AED equipment, medical supplies, and even the massage chair in our lobby — all for the benefit of our visitors.
This year, we’re raising funds for our next exciting opportunity: The BIG Idea Pitch Competition – Middle-Grade 2026. This new initiative will bring entrepreneurship to Delaware County middle schools, where students will learn to pitch and develop their own business ideas.
Funds raised will cover training sessions, competition prizes, supplies, and event costs—estimated between $5,000 and $7,500. Your donation of any amount will help us inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. As a 501(c)(3), all contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you in advance for your contribution to our community’s youth!
Schedule of Events
- Monday, Nov. 17
- 8:00 am – 8:15 am
Meet & Greet with Coffee & Donuts
Register Here - 8:15 am – 9:30 am
Kickoff Celebration Program
Register Here - 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Scroll-Stopping Content: Mastering Media
Presented by: Patrick Reith & The Devon House Creative Team, Indianapolis, IN & former Innovation Connector Clients
Register Here - 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Demystifying AI: No Experience Needed
Presented by: AI Training Leaders with TechWise Academy
Register Here - 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Indiana Starters Coalition– Business Startup Meet-up at the IC
Presented by: Courtney Zaugg,
Right to Start Indiana and the Indiana Starters Coalition
Register Here
- Tuesday, Nov. 18
- 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Why Nothing You Try Seems to Stick (and How to Fix It) – Marketing and Branding for Your Business
Presented by: Intersection, Muncie, IN
Register Here - 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Securing Smart Capital for Your Small Business (Lunch)
Presented by: First Merchants Bank – Business Showcase Week Title Partner
Register Here - 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
The Credit Playbook: Simple Moves, Big Wins
Presented by: Mayor Dan Ridenour, City of Muncie, IN
Register Here - 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Tech and Innovation After Hours: Muncie Tech
Meet-Up
Location: The Clubhouse, Downtown Muncie.
Sponsored in part by:
Accutech, Inc.
Register Here - 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Indiana Starters Coalition– Business Startup Meet-up at the IC
Presented by: Courtney Zaugg,
Right to Start Indiana and the Indiana Starters Coalition
Register Here
- Wednesday, Nov. 19
- 8:00 am – 9:30 am
Lead Like an Entrepreneur: Morning Coffee
Presented by the Shafer Leadership Academy as part of the monthly Coffee Talk Series
Register Here - 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
From Networking to
Impact (Lunch)
Presented by Community Business Connections (CBC)
Register Here - 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Clients for Keeps: Tools That Build Customer Trust
Presented by Greg Zirkle, Director of Business and Executive Programs, Ball State University
Register Here - 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Muncie Regional Mentorship Hub – Mentor & Mentee Meetup
Presented by the Innovation Connector, The City of Muncie, and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Register Here - 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Indiana Starters Coalition– Business Startup Meet-up at the IC
Presented by: Courtney Zaugg,
Right to Start Indiana and the Indiana Starters Coalition
Register Here
- Thursday, Nov. 20
- 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Balanced Hustle: Wellness Without Sacrificing Success
Presented by: The Innovation Connector
Register Here - 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Building Local Strength: A Focus on Empowering Manufacturing Businesses (Lunch)
Presented by the Innovation Connector and Supportive Manufacturing Businesses
Register Here - 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Human Resources: Recordkeeping and Things You Must Know
Presented by a local HR Specialist
Register Here - 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Unlocking Creativity in Businesses and Organizations
In Partnership with the Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy, Ball State University
Register Here - 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Third Thursday at MadJax
Presented by: MadJax as part of Business Showcase Week 2025
Learn More
- Friday, Nov. 21
- 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Practical Tips and Timely Lessons for QuickBooks for Small Businesses & Organizations
Presented by Whitinger and Company and the Innovation Connector
Register Here - 11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Dream.Plan.Launch. Your Business Starter Workshop
Presented by the East Central Region of the Indiana Small Business Development Center
Register Here - 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Wired to Lead: The Future is Female (and Digital)
Presented by Women in Tech leader, Kirsten Smith
Register Here - 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Demystifying AI: No Experience Needed
Presented by: AI Training Leaders with TechWise Academy
Register Here - 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Indiana Starters Coalition– Business Startup Meet-up at the IC
Presented by: Courtney Zaugg,
Right to Start Indiana and the Indiana Starters Coalition
Register Here
- Saturday, Nov. 22
- 10:00 am – 11:30 am
“Where the Rubber Meets the Road,” by Melinda Zurcher
Presented by the Innovation Connector and Light Their Path Children’s Bible Ministry
Register Here - 8:15 am – 9:30 am
Kickoff Celebration Program
Register Here - 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Scroll-Stopping Content: Mastering Media
Presented by: Patrick Reith & The Devon House Creative Team, Indianapolis, IN & former Innovation Connector Clients
Register Here - 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Demystifying AI: No Experience Needed
Presented by: AI Training Leaders with TechWise Academy
Register Here - 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Indiana Starters Coalition– Business Startup Meet-up at the IC
Presented by: Courtney Zaugg,
Right to Start Indiana and the Indiana Starters Coalition
Register Here
Additional Showcase Events: November 2025
Events for Nonprofit Organizations – Partnering with the Nonprofit Support Network
Location: Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.
- Nonprofit Organizations as Businesses – The Ten Best Practices for Nonprofit
- Monday, Nov. 3 | 11:45 am – 1:30 pm (Lunch included)
- Register HERE
- Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
- Monday, Nov. 10 | 11:45 am – 1:30 pm (Lunch included)
- Register HERE
- Customer Service and Nonprofit Organizations
- Friday, Nov. 14 | 11:45 am – 1:30 pm (Lunch included)
- Register HERE
Events for TechWise Academy
Location: Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.
- K – 2nd Robotics – Earthquake Simulator
- Monday, Nov. 17 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm
- Register HERE
- 6th – 8th Grade – Intro to Python (Week-Long Class)
- Monday, Nov. 17 | 7:30 – 8:30 pm
- Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 7:30 – 8:30 pm
- Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 7:30 – 8:30 pm
- Thursday, Nov. 20 | 7:30 – 8:30 pm
- Friday, Nov. 21 | 7:30 – 8:30 pm
- Register HERE
- All Ages – Better AI Promoting with Chat GPT
- Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
- Register HERE
- K – 2nd Coding & Game Design – Turkey Escape Maze
- Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm
- Register HERE
- 3rd – 5th Grade Coding / Game Design, Hill Climbing Racing Game
- Thursday, Nov. 20 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm
- Register HERE
- K – 2nd Robotics – Dancing Robot
- Friday, Nov. 21 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm
- Register HERE
Additional Featured Events
- AI Best Practices for Leaders: Making ChatGPT Work for You (Virtual Event)
- Thursday, November 6th
- Gain confidence using ChatGPT by exploring strengths, limits, and best practices to enhance leadership.
- Register HERE
- START Something Now! An Entrepreneurial Experience for Jr. High & High School Students in Muncie & Delaware County
- Nov. 3 – Nov. 7 & Nov. 10 – 14 | To Be Held in School Classrooms (Locations and Times TBD)
- Sponsored by: Muncie Innovation Connector
- Delivering an Excellent Customer Experience
- Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 8:00 am – 9:30 am
- Location: InerG Impact Anderson, Indiana
- Presented by: InerG Impact in Anderson, IN
- Register HERE
- Balanced Hustle: Wellness Without Sacrificing Success
- Thursday, Nov. 20 | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
- Location: InerG, Anderson, IN
- Presented by: Ted Baker – IC CEO, Innovation Connector, Serial Entrepreneur & Former Business Owner
- Register HERE
Photography & Videography Disclaimer
Please note: By entering a Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. and related entity’s event or program, you are entering an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur.
By participating in our events, you consent to the use of your image, likeness, voice, and/or appearance as they may be embodied in photos, video recordings, and digital images for use in promotional materials, publications, and social media by Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. and its partners.
If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the event coordinator upon arrival.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
BSW News You Should Know
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Ashli Smith2025-10-29 14:28:572025-10-29 14:30:32Innovation Connector Discusses New Leadership and Upcoming Business Showcase Week on WMUN
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Ashli Smith2025-10-23 17:10:232025-10-23 17:11:38Business Showcase Week 2025: Muncie’s Premier Celebration of Innovation and Impact
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Ashli Smith2025-10-03 20:20:542025-10-07 15:07:15Ted Baker on WMUN: Spotlight on Business Showcase Week 2025Highlights from Previous Years
2024 Entrepreneurs of the Year Award Recipients
Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award: William & Karen Eason
Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award: Robert & Wilisha Scaife
Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award: Jonathan Lamb
Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award: Jennifer & Frazer Wilson
Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award: Teresa & Edward Long
Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award: Craig Robbins
Business Supporter of the Year:
Jeff Hern
2023 Entrepreneurs of the Year Award Recipients
The 2023 Technology Business Entrepreneur of the Year
Travis Street from CTS Multifamily IT Solutions
The 2023 Life-Style Business Entrepreneur of the Year
Jeff and Debra Williams, from the Williams Carpet Shop
The 2023 Food & Beverage Business Entrepreneur of the Year
Mike Robinson and Chad Massoth from Amazing Joe’s
The 2023 Business Supporters of the Year
Bill Walters (ECI Regional Planning District) and Brad Bookout (Augusta Consulting, LLC)
The 2023 Community Impact Entrepreneur of the Year
Mike Martin from The Common Market
The 2023 Champion Entrepreneur of the Year
Frank Scott II from K & B Car Wash-Detail
The 2023 Champion Entrepreneurs of the Year
Jennifer and Tom Sheridan from Gibson Arena
Entrepreneur Showcase Week 2022 Highlights
The Innaugural Entrepreneur Showcase Week brought many entrepreneurs, business owners, and community members together to learn, network, and celebrate. Beginning with a Mayoral Proclamation presented by Mayor Dan Ridenour and a presentation of the 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, Entrepreneur Showcase Week kicked off with a bang! Each of the 21 sessions was led by qualified and experienced professionals in the community who spoke about their experiences in the industry and gave insight into a variety of business-related topics.
If you missed out on Entrepreneur Showcase Week, there is good news. This is just the beginning of all the workshops, resources, and networking events the Innovation Connector will be providing to the Muncie community! Stay tuned for more events coming soon
2022 Entrepreneurs of the Year Award Recipients
2022 Business Entrepreneur Support Award
Mayor Dan Ridenour
Mayor of Muncie
2022 Legacy Mentor Award
Peggy Cenova
East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center
2022 Community-Impact Entrepreneur of the Year
Tiara Hicks
Rosebud Coffee House
2022 Restaurant Entrepreneur of the Year
Lynn A. Moore
Café at the Crossing
2022 Technology Business Entrepreneur of the Year
Kurt Harrington, Founder
OEM Combustion Service LLC
2022 Life-Style Business Entrepreneur of the Year
Bernisa Elliott
BE’s Beauty Inc. & Elliott Property Rentals
