JagStart winner pursues entrepreneurial dreams with stylish workwear startup

2026-05-28T14:56:48-04:00May 28, 2026|

This story is part of an initiative led by the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) to highlight entrepreneurship and innovation across Indiana’s universities. Learn more about the initiative here. Image credit: Indiana University Indianapolis Ja’Niya Smith’s business experience and clear vision for Miss CEO Essentials lands first-place finish in IU Indianapolis pitch competition Indiana University Indianapolis sophomore Ja’Niya Smith has always been entrepreneurial. At 13, she started braiding hair under the guidance of her grandmother, a hairstylist. By 18, she had a successful small business, Beautifully Braided, providing natural hair care services such as styling, braiding and extensions from a small salon at her family’s home in Muncie, Indiana. But when she came to IU Indianapolis to major in marketing, management and venture creation at the Kelley School of Business, Smith started considering how to spin off [...]

New IU Indianapolis, Lilly partnership to boost talent pipelines, workforce development with support from CICP, 16 Tech

2024-03-29T13:25:57-04:00February 1, 2024|

Indiana University Indianapolis and Eli Lilly and Company are launching a new co-op partnership to enhance talent pipelines and expand workforce development opportunities for people in central Indiana. The collaboration will connect undergraduate students from several IU Indianapolis schools and degree programs with opportunities at Lilly. This hands-on training will position students to enter and grow their careers in the state of Indiana while meeting the talent needs at one of the state’s largest employers. Additionally, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) and 16 Tech Innovation District will join IU Indianapolis and Lilly to enhance the experience of students selected for the co-op through member events, team building, experiential learning, volunteer opportunities and more. This enhanced programming with the support of CICP and 16 Tech will build more place-based learning and networking opportunities that connect students to life in Indianapolis [...]

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