Purdue@WestGate connects entrepreneurial communities through regional events

April Yvette, CEO of April Yvette International, LLC, speaks at Wabash Valley Fail Fest 2017 at the Indiana Theater in downtown Terre Haute. Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. and TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Purdue@WestGate recently connected entrepreneurial communities in WestGate Technology Park and Terre Haute through the recent Fail Fest Wabash Valley 2017.

WestGate@Crane Technology Park Tenant, Artisan Electronics, recently celebrated its 21st year in the park and attended the event with Purdue@WestGate. During the event, more than a dozen speakers discussed the role that failure played in their professional lives.

“Fail Fest was a great event,” said Greg Sapp, Artisan Electronics vice president of operations. “It's refreshing to see entrepreneurs from different backgrounds and walks of life who all struggle with but, ultimately, overcome similar obstacles. It definitely recharged me and reminded me that I need to tackle every problem head-on and work every day to ensure success.”

Launch Terre Haute, a co-working space focused on economic growth in the Terre Haute area, organized the event. Attendees included entrepreneurs, business leaders and contractors in southern Indiana. David Dubree, co-founder of Launch Terre Haute, believes events like Fail Fest provide a forum for regional collaboration with partners like Purdue@WestGate. 

“With the local, regional, and statewide entrepreneurs, forward-thinking experts and sponsors involved, the necessary talent and conversations to launch our members into the next stage of success are happening every day,” Dubree said. “By partnering with regional hubs like Purdue@WestGate, this innovation-centered ecosystem can continue to grow and reach forward- thinking communities.”

Alexandria Hancock, events manager for WestGate Academy, participated in the event.

“I am from the Terre Haute area and have worked at WestGate Academy since the facility opened five years ago,” she said. “It’s an honor to support these events because they open the door to more opportunities, and it is exciting to see this all happen in my hometown.”

About Purdue@WestGate

Purdue@WestGate is an economic development accelerator formed by the partnership between WestGate Authority, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane), Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation. The Indiana-based collaboration combines strengths to advance educational, research and development and technology commercialization across Indiana and elsewhere. Purdue@WestGate offers tools for startups, entrepreneurial experts, programs, educational opportunities and workforce development to help southern Indiana businesses grow and thrive. For more information about the resources available to businesses, visit Purdue@WestGate. 

Media contact: Sarah K. Miller, 812-863-2756, sarah.miller@stimulusengineering.com

Sources: Greg Sapp, 812-558-7118, greg.sapp@artisan-electronics.com

Alexandria Hancock, 812-863-4080, alex.hancock@stimulusengineering.com

David Dubree, 812-243-0389, david.dubree@launchterrehaute.com