Caitlin Coffman’s two oldest children were in school by the time she figured out a way to avoid the frustration that plagued her during their day care years: The daily “activity reports” sent home with her kids didn’t provide a clear enough picture of what was happening while she was at work. “I wanted more … Continue reading “Tend.ly Aims to Improve Communication Between Caregivers, Families”
Author: Andrea Muirragui Davis
Indy Startup PoliticalBank Aims to Unite Voters and Candidates Online
The founders of Indianapolis startup PoliticalBank believe they’ve found a way to make the democratic process a bit more democratic. Billing itself as the first online community of its kind to bring candidates and voters together, PoliticalBank.com is a free, nonpartisan website. It allows the roughly 810,000 Americans who run for office in a two-year … Continue reading “Indy Startup PoliticalBank Aims to Unite Voters and Candidates Online”
Angie’s List Looks to Grow Home Services Marketplace in New Tech Era
When Angie’s List got its start 21 years ago, it was anything but a tech company. Back then the consumer ratings service was exactly what its name implied: a hard-copy list of home contractors who were recommended by their customers. It didn’t even have a website until 1999, and the first iteration was nothing more … Continue reading “Angie’s List Looks to Grow Home Services Marketplace in New Tech Era”
App Developer Bluebridge Spins Out Emplify for Employee Engagement
As mobile app developer Bluebridge grew from a three-person shop to a staff of three dozen, CEO Santiago Jaramillo discovered there’s more to business success than satisfied customers: employee engagement also matters. So last summer, a group of his best and brightest started brainstorming ways to improve the worker experience at Fishers, IN-based Bluebridge. They … Continue reading “App Developer Bluebridge Spins Out Emplify for Employee Engagement”
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Proposes $1B for Innovation, Entrepreneurship
Indiana Governor Mike Pence on Thursday unveiled plans to invest $1 billion in Hoosier innovation and entrepreneurship over 10 years, in what he calls a “third century” strategy for growth. Indiana is celebrating its bicentennial this year. Pence, who also is considered a leading candidate for Donald Trump’s vice presidential pick, announced the ambitious initiative … Continue reading “Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Proposes $1B for Innovation, Entrepreneurship”
Indy Cybersecurity Firm Pondurance Prepares for Growth at New Office
Indianapolis-based information security firm Pondurance is in growth mode, nearly doubling its staff of 14 in the past six months and expecting to add another 55 jobs in the next several years. The company’s annual revenue likewise is on pace to double to $8 million this year—just two years after founding partners Ron Pelletier and … Continue reading “Indy Cybersecurity Firm Pondurance Prepares for Growth at New Office”
Unusual “Xtern” Experience Aims to Help Indiana Attract Tech Talent
When it comes to attracting high-tech talent, Indiana has some natural challenges. With no mountains or oceans to distinguish the state from others in so-called flyover country, local technology firms have struggled to overcome a perception problem and land skilled workers. “We could not get enough tech talent to keep our pipeline flowing,” said Shelly … Continue reading “Unusual “Xtern” Experience Aims to Help Indiana Attract Tech Talent”
Purdue, Private Developer Aim to Build $1.2B “Innovation District”
Under a new proposal, about 450 acres on the west end of Purdue University’s West Lafayette, IN, campus are set to be transformed into the “Purdue Innovation District,” a potentially $1.2 billion hub of academic and economic activity. Project partners Purdue Research Foundation and Indianapolis-based Browning Investments unveiled plans for the mixed-use project on Monday. … Continue reading “Purdue, Private Developer Aim to Build $1.2B “Innovation District””
Marketing Startup DemandJump Gets $1.8M to Boost Sales, Development
Carmel, Indiana-based startup DemandJump closed a $1.8 million equity funding round last month, attracting investments from tech-industry stalwarts 4G Ventures, Hyde Park Venture Partners, and Bob Davoli, managing director at Sigma Prime Ventures. Hyde Park and 4G—led by former ExactTarget executive Tim Kopp and onetime Aprimo CEO Bill Godfrey, respectively—also participated in a $750,000 seed … Continue reading “Marketing Startup DemandJump Gets $1.8M to Boost Sales, Development”
Verizon’s “Multicast” Aims to Put Indy 500 Fans in the Driver’s Seat
Racecar driver Simon Pagenaud started the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis from the pole and led 57 of its 82 laps on his way to Victory Circle earlier this month. And Verizon Wireless subscribers across the world were invited along for the ride, thanks to streaming video from in-car cameras delivered via the carrier’s … Continue reading “Verizon’s “Multicast” Aims to Put Indy 500 Fans in the Driver’s Seat”
In Connected Toys, Edwin the Duck Appeals to Consumers, Investors
Edwin the Duck flew onto retailers’ shelves in late November, and within six weeks he’d nested in about 14,000 homes across the country. Now the $100 tech-enhanced rubber ducky is making waves overseas. Introduced in Apple stores throughout Europe last month, Edwin’s early success there has its Indiana-based creators contemplating an international outpost to focus … Continue reading “In Connected Toys, Edwin the Duck Appeals to Consumers, Investors”
Health Analytics Startup Springbuk Lands $3.75M Venture Round
Springbuk, a year-old Indianapolis health analytics firm that serves mid- to large-size employers, said Thursday that it raised $3.75 million in a Series A funding round led by St. Louis-based Lewis & Clark Ventures. The company plans to use the capital to fuel product innovation and strategic hiring. Springbuk’s cloud-based analytics product is used by … Continue reading “Health Analytics Startup Springbuk Lands $3.75M Venture Round”
Millennial-Focused Media Firm Odyssey Rakes In $25M for Growth
An Indianapolis-based online media company called Odyssey raised $25 million from institutional investors in its first such funding round, the firm announced Thursday. Serial entrepreneur Michael Lazerow and Columbus Nova managing partner Jason Epstein led the round and will join Odyssey’s board of directors. Odyssey is billed as a social content platform for the up-and-coming … Continue reading “Millennial-Focused Media Firm Odyssey Rakes In $25M for Growth”
Launch Fishers Founder on Growing a Startup Cluster in a Suburb
Launch Fishers wasn’t the first co-working space to open in Indiana, but in less than four years it has become a model of success that others hope to emulate. Established in 2012 as a way for the Indianapolis suburb of Fishers to keep its entrepreneurs close to home, Launch Fishers now has about 575 members … Continue reading “Launch Fishers Founder on Growing a Startup Cluster in a Suburb”
Indiana Firms Draw More Than $22M in First-Quarter Funding
Five innovative Indiana companies attracted more than $22 million in capital during the first quarter of 2016. That’s up from $17.5 million in the same period last year. Leading the way this year was Indianapolis-based neurosurgery device maker Nico, which closed a $15 million funding round in late February. Investors included previous backers River Cities … Continue reading “Indiana Firms Draw More Than $22M in First-Quarter Funding”
Urban Farm Incubator Aims to Grow Agricultural Movement in Indy
[Corrected, 10:10am. See below] Tysha Ahmed grew up on a small farm in rural Georgia, where her family raised chickens and ducks and planted enough produce for their own needs. Now the 40-year-old is planning her first commercial crops—likely some combination of lettuce, tomatoes, and other salad fixings that she’ll sell in the urban Indianapolis … Continue reading “Urban Farm Incubator Aims to Grow Agricultural Movement in Indy”