Events

Digital health industries are among the most dynamic and fastest growing business sectors today. Join other health tech and business builders in discussing applications and lessons learned from a highly successful, two-year old startup in digital health. Our facilitator is Ben Forrest, founder and CEO of Olio.

Key session topics will include:

Current insights and opportunities in digital health

Rewards & challenges of a digital health startup

Q&A with a digital health entrepreneur

Ben Forrest is the founder and CEO of Olio. He has a passion for creative problem-solving and effectively creates and sets the vision for product development and future innovation at Olio. Before Olio, Forrest was the founder of Episode 360 and its consulting products, aligning acute and post-acute healthcare partners to better serve local geographies. This consulting product spawned Forrest’s interest in creating the Olio platform, enabling him and his team to gain essential knowledge of the market and the conditions necessary for success. These learned principles have been embedded in Olio.

Forrest has served several roles in healthcare prior to his leadership in the Company. He spent 13 years in the medical device business, performing various positions within the sales and marketing channel for Stryker Corporation, Baxter Healthcare, and Medtronic. Forrest also served as Vice President of Press Medical, LLC., which is the Indiana distributor for Stryker Spine. Forrest is a graduate of Indiana University. He lives in Westfield, IN, with his wife Lindsay and their two kids, Mack and Milly.

Limited Seats Available – RSVP Today

Connected Health Lab is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the

U.S. Economic Development Administration

Contact Jessica Carender at jcarender@niic.net or phone 260.602.6769.

The Connected Health Lab – 3201 Stellhorn Road – Fort Wayne

Date: 2/25/20 Time: 12:00pm-1:0pm (ET)
Location: ONLINE

Broadcasting live from SOURCE River West, these unique workshops are not only available to attend in person but also broadcast live as a webinar via Skype. Looking for new markets for your small business’ products or services? Need help but not sure where to start? Then this informative seminar is for you! Learn where to find contracting opportunities; how to register your business to sell to the government; how to market your products and services; why you may need a surety bond; and how to obtain a bond. Feel free to bring a sack lunch.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

COST: Free

Registration: Required

Presented by SOURCE River West and SBA

Date: 2/26/20 Time: 9:30am-11:00am (ET)
Location: Innovation Connector, 1208 W. White River Blvd., Muncie, IN

Is the SBIR/STTR Program right for you? Attendees will learn the basic rules of the program, including points of eligibility, the difference between SBIR and STTR, and more! The SBIR/STTR program is a federal grant and contracting program that awards $3 billion a year to small businesses to support the commercialization of innovative technology. The SBIR/STTR program represents the largest single source of non-dilutive funding. Ideal participants include small businesses developing innovative technology for commercialization in the market. This workshop will provide an introductory overview to this complex and highly competitive program. Sign up to learn more!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

COST: Free

Registration: Required

Hosted by the Innovation Connector

Date: 3/10/20 Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm (ET)
Location: Ivy Tech North Campus, 3701 Dean Dr., Fort Wayne, IN

Learn how to plan your business’ growth strategy at this free workshop. Topics covered: brand vs branding; increasing profitability and company value; increasing customer loyalty; making the competition irrelevant; attracting and retaining the best employees; and bringing all of your employees on point. This free workshop will be presented by Richard Gripp of Ignite Business and Brand Development and Bill Causey of the Northeast Indiana SCORE.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

COST: Free

Registration: Required

Hosted by the Northeast Indiana SCORE

March 11, 12:00-1:00 pm EST: Spring into Action

Start the year off on the right foot by learning how to use Google Analytics to gain insights into how consumers engage with businesses online. Learn best practices analyzing customer trends and turning these insights into actionable decisions.

Suggested audiences: Small Businesses, Non-Profits

Date: 3/12/20 Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm (ET)
Location: ONLINE

Broadcasting live from SOURCE River West, these unique workshops are not only available to attend in person but also broadcast live as a webinar via Skype. The 8(a) Business Development Program is a nine-year program established to assist eligible socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to develop and grow their businesses. Business development assistance includes one-on-one counseling, training workshops, match-making opportunities with federal buyers and other management and technical guidance. Learn how the 8(a) Program can benefit your company at this informative workshop/webinar.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

COST: Free

Registration: Required

Presented by SOURCE River West and SBA

Overview: Attendees will present their business to a panel of specialists (CPA’s, Attorney’s, Insurers, lenders, etc)  and ask questions about building their businesses.  This is a speed networking format, so all attendees will learn from hearing other business builder question and answers.

What You Will Learn: Build your circle of support with experts and understand what you need to do in order to create a thriving business.

Who Should Attend: Business Owners, Operations Management

Overview: Connect with other business owners as you view the Google Livestream from the NIIC.

What You will Learn: Celebrate National Small Business Week by helping businesses in your local communities learn about SEO best practices, how to set up a free YouTube business channel, and getting found online with Google My Business.

Who Should Attend: Small business owners, Non-profits

Co-sponsor: SCORE Northeast Indiana & WEOC

Overview: Listen to a panel of women in the Fort Wayne community discuss how money was viewed in childhood and what role it plays in their lives today. How has this affected their careers or businesses.

What You will Learn: Learn best practices and receive answers to your deepest questions surrounding money.

Who Should Attend: Small business owners, professional women, non-profits

Sponsored by: 1st Source Bank & WEOC

Overview: If you have ever wondered what the big deal is with social media, tend to prioritize all other tasks above social media, or are just intimidated by it, this workshop is for you.

What You Will Learn: Social Media Experts will walk attendees through promoting themselves and their businesses on social media.  They’ll provide how-to in content creation, as well as posting schedules, in our busy daily tasks.  LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, will all be covered.

Who Should Attend: Small Business Owners, Professional Women, Non-profits, MLM business owners

**Full Day Agenda Will Be Posted Soon**

Overview: A panel of business owners along with 1st Source Bank representatives provide insight into what it is like to buy or sell a business.

What You Will Learn: Listen as local business owners talk about their experiences going through the purchasing or selling of their businesses. 1st Source Bank representatives help to answer questions attendees have regarding the purchasing or selling of a business.

Who Should Attend: Business Owners, Potential business owners

Co-Sponsors: 1st Source Bank and WEOC

Overview: In honor of Mental Health Awareness Day, and all business builders who struggle with anxiety, self-doubt, depression, and the ups and downs of business building, we will gather at an Acres Land Trust location TBA, for a hike in the wildnerness.

What You Will Learn: Networking

Who Should Attend: Small Business Owners, Professionals, Friends and Family

Sponsor: WEOC & The NIIC

Overview: Gear up for holiday sales as we gather at The NIIC to view the Google Livestream.

What You Will Learn: Kick start your customers’ holiday shopping season by marketing your business. We’ll discuss how to get in front of your customers and showcase what you offer using Google My Business, Google Ads, and more.

Who Should Attend: Business Owners, Marketing Professionals, Non-profits

Co-Sponsors: SCORE Northeast Indiana and WEOC