Purdue student entrepreneurs, Lafayettech organize technology co-working center
January 25, 2012
EST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University students who founded a technology company at the Purdue Research Park have partnered with the leaders of a local technology nonprofit to organize an informal, educational meet-up group and co-working center for developers, entrepreneurs and students with an interest in high-tech processes, products and services.
Oren Shatken and Jonathan Perl, founders of FoundOPS LLC, began Lafayettech HUB in partnership with Nelu Lazar, an engineering professional and the founder of Lafayettech Inc. They plan to grow it into a technology education center targeting people in Greater Lafayette and surrounding areas.
"Lafayettech HUB is a local startup accelerator and incubator, an entrepreneurship co-working space designed for local entrepreneurs, students, engineers, angel investors, professors, mentors and Greater Lafayette small businesses focused on entrepreneurial services," Lazar said. "The co-working tech center is connecting Lafayette and West Lafayette people willing to help the diverse entrepreneurial community spread their wings."
The Lafayettech HUB group meets Wednesdays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. and hosts other regular events focused on technology entrepreneurship and offers 24/7 membership programs for local startups and entrepreneurs. Visit http://www.lafayettech.org for more information about meeting locations.
Lafayettech HUB will focus on providing information to build networking and business skills, create startups and small businesses, learn about funding options, and launch innovative solutions.
Diana Morris, a financial professional and co-founder of Lafayettech, explained the value of co-working.
"Co-working begins with a small group of individuals who have business ideas, innovative solutions or may already be working out of their home on a startup. What these individuals have in common is an interest in solving some of the tough issues that face our community, nation and world today," she said. "A key ingredient to co-working is having a community space where members can work, share, learn, experiment and participate."
Shatken, an undergraduate in Purdue's Department of Political Science, said the community meetings enhance Purdue's and Greater Lafayette's strong reputation of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.
"With the talent passing through the university, Discovery Park, Purdue Research Park and Lafayette, it's safe to say the area has been making huge impacts on the state, national and global economy," he said. "Lafayettech HUB provides this large group of talent with connections that are fundamental for progress to occur. We want to start conversations between entrepreneurs with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, and encourage members to be a resource for each other."
Perl, a former student in Purdue's Krannert School of Management and Department of Computer Science, said Lafayettech HUB continues to gain members and resources for growth.
"We have members from around the state who use the meeting time to brainstorm solutions, build experience with established business people, and work with like-minded companies," he said.
Comcast Business Class is one of the sponsors for the new hub venture. Other local small businesses provide support for the development of the co-working center. The next event is Thursday's (Jan. 26) Facebook Conference at the University Plaza Hotel.
More information about Lafayettech HUB can be found by joining the Lafayettech group on Meetup.com, following the Lafayettech page on Facebook, or following @FoundOPS or @Lafayettech on Twitter for meeting and venue updates and reminders.
About FoundOPS LLC
FoundOPS provides a revolutionary new approach to managing a company's operations. One easy-to-use cloud-based system has incorporated GPS technician tracking, drag-and-drop dispatching and intuitive customer management. The company's motto is "Dispatch Efficiency. Drive Service. Track Results."
About Lafayettech Inc.
Lafayettech Inc. is a three-year-old tech nonprofit in Greater Lafayette, Indiana, focused on organizing local high-tech events and large conferences, providing education on emerging technologies and local entrepreneurship. Lafayettech is regularly partnering with great local small businesses and the universities that offered their services to help with the development of the technology educational initiatives over the past few years. Lafayettech contact: contact@lafayettech.org or visit Lafayettech on Facebook.
About Purdue Research Park
The Purdue Research Park with four locations across Indiana, has the largest university-affiliated business incubation complex in the country. The park network is home to about 200 companies that employ 4,000 people and are located in West Lafayette, Indianapolis, Merrillville and New Albany.
Purdue Research Park contact: Steve Martin, 765-588-3342, sgmartin@prf.org
Source: Caitlin McPherson, 347-460-4004, cmcpherson@foundops.com
