Registration opens for fifth annual Indiana Innovation Showcase to connect high-tech startups with investment opportunities
May 15, 2013
INDIANAPOLIS – Applications are now being accepted for companies that wish to exhibit and pitch to investors at the fifth annual Innovation Showcase on July 11 at the Dallara IndyCar Factory in Speedway, Ind. More than 1,000 innovators, entrepreneurs and investors are expected to attend the event where more than 60 high-potential startups will exhibit their enterprises.
During the daylong event, participating entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their startup, competing for more than $60,000 in cash and services. The program also includes an entrepreneurial panel discussing successful startup models and an investor roundup in which regional investors of early-stage enterprises will discuss a range of funding topics.
"The Innovation Showcase provides a great opportunity for exhibiting companies and for entrepreneurs to make strong connections with investors," said John Hanak, statewide director of the Purdue Technology Centers and president of the Venture Club of Indiana. "This event has grown each year, and this year we expect a record attendance so we have moved to a larger venue."
The event was previously held at the Purdue Research Park of Indianapolis and Developer Town in Broad Ripple, Ind. Technologies to be presented are from a variety of sectors including life sciences, engineering, alternative energy, information technology and industrial products.
"The energy at this event is phenomenal and the program has made a real measurable impact on startups and economic development for Indiana," said Matt Hunckler, founder of Verge. "Past exhibitors who have gone on to success include Scale Computing, myCOI, Indigo Biosystems, BlueLock, PatronPath and many, many others. I am confident there will be a number of entrepreneurs who will get a boost for their startup through this event."
Dallara IndyCar Factory is located at 1201 Main St., Speedway. The event is presented by Venture Club of Indiana, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and investors succeed, and Verge, an Indianapolis-based network for entrepreneurs, software developers and startup investors.
Sponsors for Innovation Showcase include Alerding, Castor and Hewitt LLC; Barnes & Thornburg LLP; Developer Town; Elevate Ventures; fox.io; Halo Capital Group; ISBDC; Launch Fishers; Purdue Research Foundation; TechPoint; Venture Club of Indiana; and Verge.
Ticket prices are $35 for early-bird registration, which ends May 31. Tickets are $50 after May 31 and $75 at the door the day of the event. For more information, visit http://www.theinnovationshowcase.com
Media contact: Cynthia Sequin, 765-413-6031, casequin@prf.org
Sources: John Hanak, 317-614-0793, jmhanak@prf.org
Matt Hunckler, matt@matthunckler.com
