Courtney Kerr, Author at The Central Indiana Corporate Partnership

Conexus Indiana releases “Future Ready” report identifying the critical manufacturing subsectors and roles driving Indiana’s economic growth

Courtney Kerr2025-08-06T15:54:24-04:00August 6, 2025|

New data reveals aerospace, automotive, life sciences and microelectronics as key drivers of innovation and productivity. Conexus Indiana today released "Future Ready: Advancing Indiana's Productivity Through Critical Manufacturing Subsectors," a comprehensive report identifying the advanced manufacturing subsectors and roles that hold the greatest potential to drive Indiana's future productivity and competitiveness. The report zeroes in on four critical subsectors—aerospace, automotive, life sciences and microelectronics manufacturing—and the high-impact roles that will be essential to their success. These subsectors make up more than 45% of Indiana's manufacturing GDP and 31% of industry jobs, underscoring their outsized role in shaping the economic future of the industry. "Future Ready analyzes the subsectors that are especially well positioned to shape Indiana's global competitiveness in manufacturing," said Jay Wirts, CEO and President of Conexus Indiana. "By focusing on these high impact subsectors—and within them, accelerating technology [...]

TechPoint announces new member advancing Indiana’s tech ecosystem

Courtney Kerr2025-08-06T15:57:20-04:00August 5, 2025|

Leaders from across the state join efforts to grow innovation, talent, and entrepreneurship TechPoint, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership’s industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s tech-powered economy, today announced that Robosource has joined its network. This addition reflects TechPoint’s ongoing commitment to enhancing connectivity, elevating industry, developing Indiana’s tech talent, and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. Founded in 2012, Robosource introduces AI-powered automation into medium and large enterprises, enhancing efficiency, streamlining workflows, and reducing operational costs across many industry verticals. With a mission of freeing clients from the monotony that keeps them from engaging in creative, strategic, and higher-value work, Robosource brings its scalable solutions to a global market. Robosource recently closed a Seed Series round, securing investments from Florida-based The Tebow Group and Arizona-based Legacy Portfolio, LLC. The Tebow Group was founded by Tim Tebow, philanthropist, former Heisman Trophy winner, [...]

Indiana’s AI imperative: Building the nation’s most AI-ready economy

Courtney Kerr2025-07-30T10:19:39-04:00July 24, 2025|

This article was originally published by Inside Indiana Business on July 24, 2025. Click here to read the original release. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a present-day catalyst reshaping industries, economies, and the workforce at a rapid pace. For Indiana, a state with a rich legacy in manufacturing, logistics, and life sciences, embracing AI is more than an optional business strategy. It’s a necessity to remain competitive and ensure economic growth. The Economic Potential of AI According to McKinsey, generative AI could contribute between $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy. AI has the potential to boost labor productivity by 0.1% to 0.6% annually through 2040, depending on how quickly it’s adopted and how workforce transitions are managed. Leveraging AI in Indiana can enhance productivity across core sectors. The state’s strong presence [...]

TechPoint launches CDO Network to advance data strategy and innovation across Indiana

Courtney Kerr2025-07-25T09:27:43-04:00July 23, 2025|

TechPoint, the industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s digital innovation economy and overall tech ecosystem, today announced the formation of the Indiana CDO Network, bringing together the state’s best minds in data and analytics. The network, which will hold its inaugural meeting in August, formalizes a previously organic consortium of central Indiana data leaders. Under the TechPoint brand, the CDO network will expand statewide, offering members a sustainable infrastructure that employs deeper collaborations and professional growth with vital connections to the state’s innovation sector. The CDO Network will be led by: Bill Kemerer, vice president of global data and analytics, Allegion; and Karen Hyman, vice president of data governance, defense digital and IT, Rolls Royce. “The timing is perfect for a formalized CDO network, as data is top of mind across all industries with the rapid adoption of AI,” said Bill [...]

AgriNovus Indiana announces changes to its Board of Directors

Courtney Kerr2025-08-11T11:37:34-04:00July 22, 2025|

INDIANAPOLIS (July 22, 2025) — AgriNovus Indiana, a nonprofit coalition focused on growing Indiana’s agbioscience economy, announced today changes to its board of directors. The board unanimously approved the addition of Craig Anderson, president and chief executive officer of Ag Alumni Seed, Dr. Robert Pepper, president of Huntington University and Eric Young, chief financial officer at BiomEdit, to replace outgoing directors. “To execute a bold vision, you must have great leaders in place,” said Karen Plaut, executive vice president for research at Purdue University and chair of the AgriNovus Indiana Board of Directors. “The additions of Craig, Robert and Eric bring a varied background of skills, perspectives and experiences to our Board that will be critical to our shared vision of growing this agbioscience economy.” Anderson is the president and chief executive officer of The Ag Alumni Seed Improvement Association [...]

BioCrossroads Launches AXIS Mentoring Program, Designed to Strengthen Indiana’s Life Sciences Future

Courtney Kerr2025-08-07T13:23:10-04:00July 22, 2025|

July 2025 marked an exciting milestone for Indiana’s life sciences community with the official launch of AXIS, a revived statewide mentoring program from BioCrossroads. Held at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI), the event brought together innovators, mentors, academic and industry leaders, and rising entrepreneurs—all committed to supporting the next generation of life sciences talent in Indiana. The AXIS Mentoring Program is designed to provide structured, team-based, and conflict-free mentorship to early-stage life sciences entrepreneurs. Drawing from the proven model of MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service (VMS), the program builds a strong support system for individuals navigating the challenges of scientific innovation, commercialization, and startup growth. Emily Atkinson, Senior Director of Innovation at BioCrossroads, emphasized the importance of the moment. “The launch of AXIS marks a new chapter for Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem. By bringing together world-class mentors and passionate entrepreneurs [...]

Indiana Officially Designated as the Radiopharmaceutical Capital of the World®

Courtney Kerr2025-07-21T15:25:56-04:00July 21, 2025|

National designation reinforces Indiana’s global leadership in radiopharmaceutical innovation, manufacturing, and supply chain infrastructure. INDIANAPOLIS (July 21, 2025) — Indiana has secured the title of Radiopharmaceutical Capital of the World® from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, solidifying the state's global leadership in the rapidly growing field of precision medicine. Powered by a robust and highly specialized talent pool, unmatched logistics infrastructure, world-class research institutions, and geographically central location, Indiana serves as a critical nucleus for the rapidly growing radiopharmaceutical sector that is transforming oncology for patients and providers. Radiopharmaceuticals are drugs that contain, among other ingredients, radioisotopes. Depending on the type of radiation those radioisotopes produce, they can be used to diagnose or treat several medical conditions, including cancer and hyperthyroidism. Beyond its deep FDA-savvy talent pool, Indiana’s radiopharmaceutical leadership is anchored by specialized isotope production facilities, integrated [...]

Central Indiana Corporate Partnership announces new Board of Directors and Executive Committee leadership

Courtney Kerr2025-07-21T09:32:49-04:00July 21, 2025|

Bryan Mills, president and CEO of Community Health Network, and chair of the CICP Board of Directors INDIANAPOLIS (July 21, 2025) – The Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) today announced a new chair for its board of directors and new executive committee members. As Sue Ellspermann, former president of Ivy Tech Community College, concludes her tenure as board chair, the CICP team applauds her commitment to working alongside the organization and its five branded talent and industry sector initiatives since August 2016. Additionally, Ellspermann’s leadership marked a historic milestone as she served in CICP’s first all-female executive leadership team, which includes CICP’s CEO Melina Kennedy and president and CFO Latoya Botteron. Bryan Mills, president and CEO of Community Health Network, now assumes the role of board chair and executive committee chair. Mills joined the CICP board in [...]

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 [...]

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