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

2025-06-19T11:28:39-04:00June 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

2025-06-18T09:32:46-04:00June 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 [...]

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

2025-06-19T15:26:05-04:00June 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 [...]

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

2025-05-21T10:33:58-04:00May 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 [...]

Mitch Frazier, AgriNovus President and CEO to Step Down

2025-05-20T10:20:37-04:00May 16, 2025|

Organization Launches National Search for New President and CEO AgriNovus Indiana announced today it is launching a search for a new chief executive officer following the resignation of its current CEO Mitch Frazier who will depart from the organization June 6. Frazier, who has served as president and CEO of AgriNovus since June 2020, will become President of IBJ Media Corporation June 16. “It has been an honor to serve alongside the team at AgriNovus and work with partners across the state and around the world to build the next chapter of the agbioscience economy in Indiana,” said Frazier. “Together we have built a powerful engine to accelerate growth in this economy, and I know the passion that fuels this team will continue to deliver results well into the future.” During Frazier’s tenure at AgriNovus, the organization refined its [...]

Conexus Indiana names 2025 Rising 30 cohort of emerging industry leaders

2025-05-16T09:42:50-04:00May 15, 2025|

Conexus Indiana today announced its fifth annual Rising 30 class, recognizing outstanding young professionals making significant early-career contributions to Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) sectors. The Rising 30 program, presented by Purdue University, continues Conexus Indiana’s commitment to strengthening and promoting Indiana’s vital manufacturing and logistics ecosystem. These honorees represent exceptional talent under the age of 30 who are already reshaping Indiana’s largest industry sector and will lead it into the next era of innovation. Selected for their remarkable achievements and forward-thinking approaches, this year’s cohort embodies the bright future of Indiana’s manufacturing and logistics industries. “When I visit our manufacturing facilities across Indiana, I’m always struck by the ingenuity of our young talent,” said Jay Wirts, President and CEO of Conexus Indiana. “These Rising 30 honorees aren’t just building products—they’re building the future of Hoosier manufacturing and ensuring [...]

TechPoint’s IN Tech Connect to accelerate innovation and business growth in Indiana

2025-04-29T12:35:04-04:00April 29, 2025|

June "Do Business in Indiana" event to unite enterprise leaders with high-potential SMBs and tech talent As Indiana rapidly emerges as a hub for digital innovation, TechPoint is doubling down on its mission to catalyze collaboration across the state’s thriving tech ecosystem. On June 17, TechPoint will host IN Tech Connect, to ignite partnerships between Indiana’s largest tech-driven enterprises and the state’s expansive network of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). The event is a direct outcome of insights from TechPoint’s Indiana CIO Network. Recognizing the untapped potential within Indiana’s 9,000+ tech firms, these CIOs are championing more intentional collaboration with SMBs, companies that are agile, ambitious, and ready to scale. “TechPoint is proud to bring together leaders from Indiana’s tech community – including our largest companies – with small and mid-size companies to spark meaningful connections that drive real business outcomes,” said [...]

Kristen Lampkin Named to 2025 IBJ Forty Under 40 Class

2025-04-24T10:02:41-04:00April 16, 2025|

Kristen Lampkin leads Business Equity for Indy, a joint effort of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and the Indy Chamber, in collaboration with the Indianapolis Urban League. The initiative aims to promote workplace diversity and foster economic opportunity for people of color through training, resources, data and advocacy. Central to her role is building relationships with other nonprofits, community organizations and partners. “Kristen Lampkin’s work and leadership,” one peer said, “is at the forefront of growing a more inclusive business environment.” Lampkin helped launch the People Community of Practice, a forum to provide guidance to hiring professionals as they look to increase diversity within their companies. She also guided a Mentors of Color event, which connected 40 young Black professionals with local business leaders. She is CEO of HR Guru LLC, which helps professionals with their LinkedIn profile and [...]

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