Inclusive Entrepreneurship Programs
Breaking Barriers, Inspiring Business Builders
Indiana ranks 47th in the United States in starting new companies. The central problem, in Indiana and the US as a whole, is access and equity in social and economic prosperity by under-represented entrepreneurs and business builders.
The NIIC is very excited to partner with local non-profit agencies and innovative leaders in lessening the barriers and obstacles for inclusive and diverse founders to fully realize their economic and human potential through entrepreneurship.
Program Summary Sheet
Get information on our inclusive entrepreneurship programs at a glance with our summary sheet:
FAST-IN Powered by US SBA FAST
Looking for resources, connections and support to write a successful SBIR grant and want outside advice and services?
The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program aims to increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals and successful awards to fund great technology ideas for the government. NIIC and its statewide partner network will increase SBIR/STTR awareness, evaluate opportunities for good fit, offer individual advice, and assistance with proposal writing
OPENS powered by US SBA PRIME
Looking for debt/equity financing and are a micro-preneur (<9 people employed by your firm) but need coaching and technical assistance to prepare for outside capital?
OPENS (Optimized Path for Entrepreneurial Network Success) opens an on-ramp to typically under-served low income populations by reaching out with network partners across the region using a customized process and toolset to deliver specialized business-building support.
Program Details
Women's Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center
Looking for business building programs geared toward women, minorities, rural and immigrant entrepreneurs?
WEOC is home a base for female founders at any stage to use to start, grow, or scale their businesses. We equip you with the tools, resources and funding opportunities to meet your entrepreneurial goals. We are an integral part of a national Women’s Business Center community. Let WEOC be your business building center.
Program Details:
- Targets: Women, immigrants, and ethnic minorities
- Geography: 16 counties
- Partners: SCORE, Indiana Small Business Development Corporation (ISBDC), and Community Development Corporation (CDC)
- Funders: US SBA, NIIC, NIIC Ideas @ Work
- Contact: Leslee Hill
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OPTIONS AT THE NIIC, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US.
Connected Health Lab
Looking to leverage IoT applications and partnerships to improve health care delivery?
Individuals and companies interested in developing products and businesses around the Health Internet of Things (IoT) will have a new option. The NIIC is one of 40 organizations from 28 states and two territories to be awarded funding to create and expand cluster-focused commercialization program under the Economic Development Administration (EDA) 2018 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program. This includes a three-year, $750,000 grant to The NIIC to form the Indiana Connected Health IoT Lab/Network. Health IoT describes health-related technologies where just about anything can be connected, communicated and used remotely in an intelligent way.
Program Details:
- Targets: Startups and existing companies with innovative products and services
- Geography: Statewide
- Partners: NIIC and 16 others including, but not limited to Parkview Mirro Center, Indiana University, Clear Object, and others
- Funders: US EDA Regional, Innovation Strategies, Program i6 Challenge, IEDC
- Contact: Mike Fritsch
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OPTIONS AT THE NIIC, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US.
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES Foellinger Foundation
Breakthrough Project
The “Connected Communities” project, launched in 2019 by The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC), will strengthen efforts in assisting under-represented business builders in Allen County, Indiana. The project is designed to use community-based entrepreneurship to catalyze talent in underserved markets and increase entrepreneurial activity, resulting in increased participation in economic prosperity and social well-being. “Connected Communities” serves potential, but as yet unreached, entrepreneurs.
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There is no cost to ‘Trusted Connectors’ / partners, client entrepreneurs and program participants—all costs have been generously funded by the Foellinger Foundation Breakthrough grant and The NIIC. Program participants will be located in Allen County in Indiana.
Program Details:
- Targets: Under-represented entrepreneurial talent sources (ex-offenders, rural business builders, disabled persons, immigrants and other historically excluded community segments)
- Geography: Allen County, IN
- Funders: Foellinger Foundation
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OPTIONS AT THE NIIC, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US.
To learn more about inclusive entrepreneurial options available at The NIIC, contact us.