Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program on Tuesday, April 24th hosted the first of a series of business plan presentations from students and the general public in Mid-Central Indiana as part of the new Entrepreneur program led by the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

Fourteen business plans were previewed and participants had 10-15 minutes to make their presentations to community business leaders from throughout the region. The business plans were to convey their business idea in detail along with startup needs, preferred locations and a timeline for implementing the plan. Now, community leaders have roughly four weeks to consider which business or businesses to pursue and to develop appropriate offers. Communities then will submit incentive offers to IEDC, who will communicate those offers to the Young Entrepreneur candidates. For more information about the program, go online to: http://iedc.in.gov/entrepreneurship/young-entrepreneur-program.  

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) is promoting the new program for helping entrepreneurs make their business plans become a reality in Indiana.

The IEDC is working with local and regional communities to offer incentives, which can include free rent, grants, loans and utility support. In exchange, Young Entrepreneur participants must agree to locate their startup in the community and remain for up to three years.

To be eligible, the participants must be enrolled in an educational institution in Indiana and pursuing a major, minor or certificate in an entrepreneurial program; or have graduated within the last three years from an educational institution in Indiana with a major, minor or certificate in an entrepreneurial program.

Assisting the IEDC with the preview event on the Purdue campus are the Purdue Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program and the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship along with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

Writer: Phillip Fiorini, 765-496-3133, pfiorini@purdue.edu