Courtney Kerr, Author at CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership

Purdue students shine at 2026 Xtern Challenge, present AI solutions at Cummins

Courtney Kerr2026-05-28T13:25:18-04:00April 14, 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. INDIANAPOLIS — Purdue University students played a prominent role in TechPoint’s 2026 Xtern Challenge, presenting enterprise-focused AI solutions March 6 at Cummins’ headquarters in Columbus, Indiana. Developed in partnership with Cummins, the work-based learning experience brought together 100 students from colleges and universities across the state to tackle real-world problems. Of the 45 Purdue students participating, 22 were based in Indianapolis. “Participating in TechPoint’s Xtern Challenge has given students confidence that the skills they are learning at Purdue and The Data Mine are preparing them to solve real-world challenges in industry,” said Maggie Betz, managing director of The Data Mine in Indianapolis. Designed to mirror professional, cross-functional teamwork, the Xtern Challenge paired [...]

Eric Christopher named new TechPoint president and CEO

Courtney Kerr2026-04-15T10:56:45-04:00April 6, 2026|

INDIANAPOLIS (April 6, 2026): The CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) and TechPoint, the nonprofit industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s digital innovation economy, announced today that Eric Christopher will serve as TechPoint’s next president and CEO, effective April 7. With more than 20 years of experience securing venture capital and scaling high-growth software companies, Christopher is recognized as a leader across Indiana’s tech community and throughout the tech industry nationally. Having served as a TechPoint board member since 2018, Christopher has led efforts to expand support and resources for local tech talent to fuel sustained economic growth. “Eric brings the leadership and vision needed to build on Indiana’s growing momentum in technology and digital innovation,” said Aman Brar, a member of the TechPoint Board. “As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies reshape industries and create new opportunities, TechPoint plays a critical [...]

Advancing Innovation: Priority Areas for Indiana’s Agbioscience Future

Courtney Kerr2026-05-29T11:16:57-04:00April 1, 2026|

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AgriNovus Indiana research unveils focus areas ripe for startup innovation, launches applications for $75,000 Velocity Accelerator

Courtney Kerr2026-04-14T14:35:38-04:00March 30, 2026|

2026 Velocity empowers innovators to build tech solutions in bioinnovation, farmer-focused innovation, food is health INDIANAPOLIS (March 30, 2026) - AgriNovus Indiana, an initiative to grow the agbioscience economy, released new research today identifying critical challenges ripe for innovation that will serve as the foundation for the 2026 Velocity Accelerator, a six-month program that awards entrepreneurs three separate $25,000 cash prizes for their technology solutions in bioinnovation, farmer-focused innovation and food is health. Conducted by Arrowpoint Labs, the study entitled Advancing Innovation: Priority Areas for Indiana’s Agbioscience Future updates the sector’s economic impact in Indiana, synthesizes insights from key state and national agbioscience leaders and provides problem statements for the innovation community – from students to startups and existing companies – to solve through Velocity. “Velocity is an accelerator that focuses on the core challenges facing our agbioscience industry,” said [...]

Ascend Indiana Launches Regional Work-Based Learning Support Network and Resource Hub

Courtney Kerr2026-03-25T16:51:42-04:00March 25, 2026|

Ascend Indiana, the talent and workforce development initiative of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), announced today a statewide initiative to support Indiana schools and employers in developing and implementing high-quality work-based learning experiences for high school students. In partnership with the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), Ascend developed and launched a comprehensive set of resources that provides step-by-step guidance, examples and design considerations aligned with Indiana’s updated high school graduation requirements. Ascend has also established and equipped a network of regional partners that will coordinate, expand and enable high-quality WBL across the state. As Indiana’s statewide workforce initiative, Ascend developed these work-based learning resources and accompanying network in response to the state’s high school diploma redesign, which requires students graduating with a readiness seal to have completed sustained WBL experiences aligned to career pathways. “Beginning with the [...]

TechPoint Launches Expanded Statewide Tech Job Board Powered by Ascend Indiana

Courtney Kerr2026-03-19T09:47:48-04:00March 19, 2026|

Indianapolis (March 19, 2026) – TechPoint, the industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s digital innovation economy, today announced the launch of the new TechPoint Job Board powered by Ascend Indiana’s on-line job platform, the Ascend Network. The expanded, technology-enabled platform increases available tech job listings from less than a hundred to more than 1,000 across Indiana, creating broader access for job seekers and stronger hiring support for employers. The launch comes as Indiana’s tech sector faces a growing experience gap. According to TechPoint’s recent brief, AI Amplifies Need to Address Experience Gap, early-career workers ages 22–25 experienced a 13% relative decline in employment from late 2022 to mid-2025. As artificial intelligence reshapes hiring needs, employers increasingly seek candidates with hands-on experience, making it harder for young professionals to gain entry into the field. “Indiana’s tech economy is growing, but early-career [...]

BioCrossroads 2025 Annual Report: Indiana’s Life Sciences Ecosystem in 2025

Courtney Kerr2026-03-18T19:11:53-04:00March 18, 2026|

Advancing BioCrossroads' 10-Year Strategy INDIANAPOLIS (March 18, 2026)—BioCrossroads today released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting another landmark year for Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem. The report highlights BioCrossroads’ efforts to support robust talent pipelines, unprecedented economic impact, and national recognition of Indiana’s leadership in life sciences. Indiana remained number one in the nation for life sciences and pharmaceutical exports. The report also highlights continued growth and momentum across the state’s life sciences and healthcare sectors: $102 billion total economic contribution from Indiana’s life sciences industry; 70,000 Hoosiers employed in life sciences across 3,312 establishments; $177,000 average annual wage in life sciences; 386,100 healthcare workers across Indiana; 36 venture capital deals totaling approximately $190 million invested in Indiana life sciences companies in 2025. “By crossing the $100 billion threshold of total economic contribution, Indiana’s life sciences sector has reached a remarkable [...]

BioCrossroads 2025 Annual Report

Courtney Kerr2026-05-29T11:17:35-04:00March 18, 2026|

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Braun: $1B state investment in Indiana’s life sciences expected to create 100K jobs

Courtney Kerr2026-03-17T14:22:45-04:00March 17, 2026|

This post was originally published by Indianapolis Business Journal. Click here to read the original article. Seeking to position Indiana as a global leader in agritechnology and life sciences, Gov. Mike Braun unveiled a lofty goal in a public announcement Tuesday morning. Speaking at a press conference with Secretary of Commerce David Adams, Braun said the state will invest $1 billion over 10 years to boost life sciences-related businesses, with the goal of creating 100,000 jobs in those sectors. Braun said the new investment into human therapeutics, animal health, agritech, biotechnology and environmental innovation are part of his goal to create regional economic development plans by region. He said the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority, or CIRDA, will serve as the first “regional steward” over the initiative. CIRDA, an economic development alliance, represents more than 30 cities, towns and [...]

CICP Unveils New Business Name to Align Work and Impact Across Indiana

Courtney Kerr2026-03-11T08:55:15-04:00March 11, 2026|

Indianapolis (March 11, 2026) – With a clear purpose to drive economic growth and prosperity in Indiana, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership today announced plans to align its name with its strategic impact and collaborative efforts across the state. CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) will now serve as the organization’s doing business as (DBA) name, reflecting its 27-year legacy of advancing research, leading innovation, and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs and workforce development. “Our new name reaffirms who we are as an organization while supporting our commitment to elevating advanced industries throughout Indiana,” said Melina Kennedy, CEO of CICP. “As our board of directors represent CEOs and presidents of the state’s top corporate, academic, and philanthropic organizations , our identity leverages their expertise to tackle some of the state’s most challenging and inspiring opportunities. We lead with purpose and know [...]

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