Courtney Kerr, Author at The Central Indiana Corporate Partnership

Business Equity chair says group’s overall mission hasn’t changed with political winds

Courtney Kerr2025-07-10T13:47:39-04:00July 10, 2025|

This release was originally published by IBJ on July 4, 2025. Click here to read the original release. In the wake of the 2020 protests after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, Indianapolis business leaders committed to driving measurable progress in advancing racial equity in a group called Business Equity for Indy. Jeffrey Harrison, CEO of Citizens Energy Group, has served as that coalition’s leader since its founding. Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Indy Chamber and the Indianapolis Urban League are partners in the work. BEI launched with 11 member companies; it now has 50. Each member has pledged to adopt at least one BEI recommendation or strategy, a list that includes participation in a modern apprenticeship program, certification as a company that pays more than $18 an hour with benefits, and implementation of best practices [...]

Gener8tor’s new Bolt conference set for Indianapolis this fall

Courtney Kerr2025-07-09T13:46:35-04:00July 9, 2025|

Originally posted by IBJ on June 13, 2025. Read original press release here. Wisconsin-based startup accelerator Gener8tor is shifting its conference strategy this year to hosting one large gathering in Indianapolis rather than a handful across the U.S., a move expected to expand networking opportunities among investors and entrepreneurs. The reimagined event, called Bolt, is set to take place Oct. 1-2 at Victory Field, bringing together founders, investors and corporations in a variety of industries from across the Midwest and beyond. The event replaces Gener8tor’s previous OnRamp conferences. OnRamp’s manufacturing and agriculture events had previously taken place in Indianapolis. Gener8tor’s other OnRamp events last year focused on insurance and financial technology, health care, and education and workforce development. Those gatherings took place in St. Paul, Minnesota; Birmingham, Alabama; and Minneapolis, respectively. “We decided to combine all of that power, all [...]

Nearly $13 million awarded for statewide career apprenticeship initiative

Courtney Kerr2025-07-09T09:55:23-04:00July 9, 2025|

FuFunds for Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway support regional implementation, Industry Talent Associations, and employer and student engagement The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation has awarded nearly $13 million in funding to eight Indiana organizations working to develop a new pathway for high school and adult students to learn about and train for in-demand careers and help Indiana businesses find and train employees. The first cohort of high school students will begin apprenticeship programs in the new Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP) in the fall of 2026. They will split their time between the workplace and the classroom, with at least 50% of their training taking place on the job to help ensure they are gaining in-demand skills and employers are realizing a return on investment. The students will be paid by their employers and work year-round. Programs for adults will be available [...]

TechPoint announces 2025-2026 executive committee leadership

Courtney Kerr2025-06-23T13:35:43-04:00June 23, 2025|

TechPoint, the industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s tech ecosystem, today announced its executive committee members for the 2025–2026 term. The newly appointed leadership reflects TechPoint’s ongoing commitment to advancing digital innovation, developing Indiana’s tech talent, and supporting innovation & entrepreneurship. After distinguished service since 2019, Sherry Aaholm, former Chief Digital Officer of Cummins Inc., is stepping down as Board Chair. Under her leadership, TechPoint significantly expanded its industry networks and secured new philanthropic partnerships, including with Microsoft and the Infosys Foundation. Her tenure also saw the growth of TechPoint’s tech talent initiatives to strengthen Indiana’s talent pipeline, alongside the development of a robust innovation and entrepreneurship strategy that continues to elevate Indiana’s position as a national technology hub. “I’ve seen firsthand the passion and dedication the TechPoint team brings to growing Indiana’s tech community,” said Sherry Aaholm. “As AI [...]

AgriNovus Indiana’s Velocity Announces 2025 Winners, Awards $75,000 to Entrepreneurs at Demo Day Event

Courtney Kerr2025-06-19T11:28:39-04:00June 19, 2025|

Forty-Two Teams Develop Solutions in BioInnovation, Farmer-Focused Innovation and Food is Health; Launches Next Phase of Velocity Program Designed for Scale-Up Companies AgriNovus Indiana, an initiative to grow the agbioscience economy, today announced Chicago, Ill.-based Integrated Dynamics, Indianapolis, Ind.-based NanoBio Designs and South Bend, Ind.-based NutriPop have won Velocity, securing each company $25,000 to advance their tech-enabled businesses that address many of the toughest challenges facing the food and agbioscience economy. In partnership with the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Elevance Health, Beck’s Hybrids, Ag Alumni Seed and Gutwein Law, Velocity challenges students, startups and existing companies to create solutions to fill research-defined gaps in three critical areas: bioinnovation, farmer-focused innovation and food is health. “Velocity was launched to inspire innovation that addresses three critical forces of change facing our food and agbioscience economy today and well [...]

TechPoint announces 2026 Mira Awards gala date & venue

Courtney Kerr2025-06-18T09:32:46-04:00June 18, 2025|

TechPoint, the industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s digital innovation economy, today announced its annual Mira Awards gala will be held Friday, April 24, 2026, at The Palladium in Carmel. The annual event is known as the “Oscars of Indiana Tech.” With tech’s transformative roles for all industries, Mira has become Indiana’s biggest night for tech and innovation. “The Mira Awards celebrate the bold ideas, breakthrough technologies, and entrepreneurial grit that are shaping Indiana’s future,” said TechPoint President and CEO Ting Gootee. “As we work to become the most AI-ready economy in the nation, it’s more important than ever to tell the success stories that fuel innovation, inspire talent, and drive economic growth through tech.” More than 1,500 stakeholders were on hand for the 2025 Mira Awards, which was held in February. For the third year in a row, the [...]

AV Freight Readiness Assessment: How Indiana can lead in automated freight transportation

Courtney Kerr2025-06-17T15:16:30-04:00June 17, 2025|

Download PDF

National Search Underway for AgriNovus Indiana’s Next President and CEO

Courtney Kerr2025-06-19T15:26:05-04:00June 16, 2025|

AgriNovus Indiana, an initiative to grow the agbioscience economy, has launched the search for its next President and CEO following Mitch Frazier’s departure from the organization after a five-year tenure. Indianapolis-based Medallion Partners, a national organization development and executive search firm, will lead the search with the help of a committee of industry leaders identified by the AgriNovus Executive Committee. Members include: Karen Plaut — executive vice president for research at Purdue University – chair of the AgriNovus Board of Directors and committee lead Trent Torrance – chief operating officer at United Animal Health – vice-chair of the AgriNovus Board of Directors David Pugh – chief financial officer at AgReliant Genetics Jeff Simmons – CEO of Elanco Wes Sprinkle – CEO of Indiana Farmers Insurance “Growing and advancing agbioscience innovation is critical to Indiana’s economy,” said Karen Plaut, executive [...]

IU unveils architectural design plan for IU LAB at 16 Tech

Courtney Kerr2025-07-10T10:02:22-04:00June 13, 2025|

Originally posted by IBJ on June 12, 2025. Read original press release here. Indiana University said Thursday that its board of trustees has approved an architectural design plan for the IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences, or IU LAB, building in the 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis. The five-story, 150,000 square-foot building will be built next to the Herron School of Art and Design’s Eskenazi Fine Arts Center on Indiana Avenue. The facility will include research and teaching labs, classrooms, collaborative workspaces as well as startup and incubator space. In a news release, IU said IU LAB is place where “biosciences and technology converge, serving as a hub for discovery, innovation, entrepreneurship and industry partnerships.” Construction is scheduled to start this fall with an expected completion in summer 2027. IU LAB officially began operations in January. In December, IU announced [...]

AgriNovus Indiana to award $75,000 to entrepreneurs at Velocity Demo Day June 18 in Indianapolis

Courtney Kerr2025-05-21T10:33:58-04:00May 21, 2025|

Three winners to receive $25,000 each for solutions to challenges in bioinnovation, farmer-focused innovation and food is health AgriNovus Indiana, an initiative to grow the agbioscience economy, will host its first Velocity Demo Day from 3 to 6 p.m. on June 18 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, awarding three winning teams $25,000 each. In partnership with the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Elevance Health, Beck’s Hybrids, Ag Alumni Seed and Gutwein Law, the event culminates a six-month startup accelerator designed to inspire creation of tech-enabled businesses that address research-defined challenges in bioinnovation, farmer-focused innovation and food is health. “Velocity is designed to accelerate development of solutions to some of the toughest challenges facing the food and agricultural economy in Indiana and around the globe,” said Mitch Frazier, president and CEO of AgriNovus. “Demo Day will spotlight entrepreneurs [...]

About Courtney Kerr

MAIN MENU

IMPORTANT LINKS

INITIATIVES