Indiana Tech Sector

What is Marketing 501?

Tuesday, August 2, 2011 by Community Blogger

by Daniel Herndon

CEO and Founder
redwall LIVE

It sounds like a few steps above marketing 101 but it's actually a great way to increase ROI.

As a digital marketing firm in the Indiana tech sector, just like the cobbler's shoes, our marketing has been less than it could be because of our preoccupation with clients. In June we had a record month. Our sales were higher than ever, but we were $501 away from a perfect round number ... so we decided we would create an email campaign based on that number to cap off the record month of sales.

redwall LIVE's Marketing 501 campaign has helped the digital marketing firm earn a total of four new clients since the effort began in June 2011.
In only 2 hours - with 3 hours left to spare to the month - we ended up designing an original email, coding it and sending it out to our database. This flash marketing campaign resulted in a successful response from a startup company that purchased the offer, and several positive responses from customers and contacts congratulating us for our growth.

We decided that each month (for a little while, at least) we would do a $501 deal to end the month out with a special limited time offer. In July, we featured a simple video we did for a sponsorship with the regional economic development group Indy Partnership.

Here's why we believe this campaign is working well for us:

1. Highlighting a project we did and show our work
2. Connecting with customers and prospects in an interesting way
3. Giving startups and other small-budget businesses the opportunity to try our services
4. Succeeding in securing 4 new paying clients from the campaign so far ...

Daniel Herndon is founder and CEO of redwall LIVE, Experiential Marketing an Indianapolis marketing firm that creates campaigns, strategies and tools for relationship marketing. Daniel was named in Indianapolis Business Journal’s 2011 “Forty Under 40” featuring local business and professional leaders who have achieved success and excelled in their field before the age of 40. He is also authoring “Facebook All In One For Dummies” on Wiley Publishing.

Optimism in technology sector makes headlines

Monday, February 7, 2011 by Joshua Hall

The top story for today's news cycle is good news for the Indiana technology sector. Results from a survey of 4,000 business professionals throughout the state indicate that technology business trends are on the minds of many, and for all the right reasons.

The Indiana Business Council survey, conducted through a partnership between Inside Indiana Business and Indianapolis-based Walker, revealed that tech companies expect customers to spend more in 2011 and that they plan to hire new employees to meet the increased demand of technology sector growth.

79% expect customers to increase spending in 2011
54% plan to add jobs in 2011 (which is much higher than overall expectations)
85% feel there will increased need for their technology products and services in 2011

In an interview on Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, Slingshot SEO President Kevin Bailey said that more availability of funding and an increased focus on sales were both important, but that he believes innovation is the key to success for Indiana's technology sector.

"At Slingshot we are always trying to focus on, we gotta have something great to sell," Bailey said. "Being innovative I think is, for my company, always first and foremost. We want to have the most innovative product in search engine optimization for enterprise companies, so with that innovation we have something great to sell. So I would still put innovation at the top of my list but sales is right there under that because obviously sales drives growth."

Indiana's tech sector has good reasons to be optimistic as the economy continues its climb out of recession because of its performance during the recession. Even during the height of the global recession, Indiana GAINED 1,200 new tech jobs, according to TechAmerica's Cyberstates report.

Investors are also betting on the Indiana tech sector and emerging business technology coming out of Hoosier companies. While venture capital nationally was at a 10-year low during the recession, Indiana grew venture investment by double digits, including a 70% leap in 2008.

During the interview on Inside Indiana Business, Kevin Bailey said that Indiana has great leaders that mentor startups and that the culture of Indiana's tech sector is collaborative and helpful to small technology businesses.

The New Era of Relationship Management - Social. Mobile. Integrated. Innovative.

Monday, January 31, 2011 by Community Blogger

The golden ticket in 2011 will belong to those organizations that understand the fast track to growing a sustainable competitive advantage is directly linked to improving and investing in their Relationship Management strategy and supporting technologies. Although competitive advantage is defined and measured in numerous ways, the companies that are answering their consumers and employees demands to create unique and engaging relationships are the ones attracting, winning and retaining loyal advocates for their brand.

However, the continual evolution of social media, mobility and improved web technologies radically challenges traditional relationship management strategies as consumers and employees are enabled now more then ever to interact with your brand, for good or for bad, 24/7 and at lighting speed. In order to create innovative ways to meet their consumer and employee demands for engaging, interactive experiences, many organizations became early adopters of social networking and mobility platforms for internal and external communications and have indeed found a “competitive advantage” in several areas as the McKinsey’s Quarterly stated in their Dec 2010 issue, The rise of the networked enterprise. McKinsey reported that of the organization’s that are leveraging social networking to improve customer relations, 50% reported increased customer satisfaction, 63% reported increased marketing effectiveness and 24% reported increasing revenue.

So, the real question when evaluating emerging business technology and your relationship management plan for 2011 is two-fold … 1) How and where are you engaging your customers and employees to help you define truly interactive experiences so their ideas can be heard and put into action?, and 2) Do you have the right technology, and staff in place to manage it, to collect, analyze and convert multiple sources of information into actionable knowledge that allows you to react quickly to their requests with bona fide personal experiences?

Join the conversation March 1 at the Indianapolis Hilton North for The New Era of Relationship Management, a half day event designed for business and technical executives to quickly gain high level insights into these evolving technology business trends and new tools being released in 2011 that can help you improve your approach to relationship management. Expert presentations and panel discussions will include Indiana tech sector executives from ExactTarget, Allegient, CWR Mobility, Scribe and Microsoft. Keynote speaker, Jeff Rohrs, ExactTarget’s Principal of Marketing Research will also reveal recent results from their acclaimed research series, Subscribers, Fan & Followers.

Take your relationship management from good to great in 4 hours. Make time March 1 and be apart of the technology sector trends discussion. Info and Registration: http://crm2011launch.eventbrite.com/

Name: Andy Brockett
Company: Allegient
E-mail: abrockett@allegient.com
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

The Tech Rush In Indiana

Thursday, January 27, 2011 by Community Blogger

We started 2011 with news around the proverbial water cooler focused on Facebook's $50 billion valuation. According to the Associated Press, the social networking site's value is about equal to the open market value of more well-established companies like Boeing and Kraft. The terms of the private offering of as much as $1.5 billion in shares of Facebook have changed as Goldman Sachs Group Inc., recently announced that it was restricting the offering of Facebook shares to non-U.S. citizens due to concerns that the media spotlight surrounding the private offering might violate U.S. securities laws and expose the firm to legal action. While the terms of the Facebook deal continue to evolve, there is little doubt that companies in the tech sector will continue to make front page headlines in 2011.

Recently, we've seen a number of Indiana's tech companies rise in prominence. In fact, in December 2010, Lead411 announced its list of the Technology 500. To be eligible, companies must be privately held, headquartered in the U.S. with over $1 million in revenue in 2009. The rankings were determined by calculating the highest percentage revenue growth between 2007 and 2009. Seven Indiana companies made the list to include Scale Computing (ranking an impressive second overall), BlueLock, Vontoo, Iasta, ExactTarget, Angie's List and Delivra.

So, what makes the Crossroads of America so attractive to emerging tech companies and what drives their growth? Some of the contributing factors are: access to capital, competitive tax credits/incentives and a commitment to develop and commercialize advanced technologies in Indiana.

Access to Capital

The Facebook deal redefined "alternative financing strategies." The cash infusion from Goldman Sachs enabled Facebook to delay an initial public stock offering (and the heightened scrutiny and regulation that comes along with it) while simultaneously allowing it to make valuable improvements in its technology. Capital is the key component to success for emerging and entrepreneurial companies looking to grow and gain market share.

Today, private companies in Indiana have a variety of resources in the financing arena available to them. A number of angel investor groups consisting of current and former entrepreneurs have come to fruition and are looking to make investments in early stage technology companies. In addition, Indiana has a broad representation of private equity funds focused on investing in areas such as technology, health care and life sciences. The banks are also starting to get back into the game with Small Business Administration-backed loans for smaller companies.

Competitive Tax Credits/Incentives

The leadership in Indiana has also recognized the importance of creating new jobs for Hoosiers through the development and growth of entrepreneurial companies by supporting their growth from small start-up companies to significant employers within our state's economy. It has become more expensive and competitive for the state to incentivize companies to move their businesses to Indiana. As such, Indiana has focused on fostering an entrepreneurial culture where individuals are encouraged to start businesses which leverage the talents and strengths that are already inherent in the state's economy as well as the current workforce. One such method used by the state is the Indiana Venture Capital Tax Credit, which provides a tax credit for investors making an investment in privately held companies in Indiana. In addition, the Indiana Research and Development Tax Credit provides a tax credit for certain expenses spent on research and development. These tax credits were designed to encourage investors to provide capital to emerging growth companies and the activities that may be conducted by them.

Commitment to Develop and Commercialize Advanced Technologies

Government, business and education leaders within the state are committed to working together to foster an "entrepreneurial friendly environment." Programs like the state's 21st Century Research and Technology Fund were created in an effort to diversify the state's economy by focusing on developing and commercializing advanced technologies. According to research by Ball State University, the 21st Century Fund has given 188 awards of $238.5 million spread across 10 rounds. Award amounts experienced a few peaks and valleys until Round 6, peaking in Round 7 then gradually declining.

Programs like TechPoint's HALO Capital Group also provide funding opportunities for early stage companies. The group, comprised of over 20 former and current executives, assists with investments between $250,000 to $2 million.

The tech rush in Indiana has already begun. Fortunately, the state is well-armed and eager to attract the next generation of entrepreneurs. If you think you can wait another 10 years to bring that great idea to market, think again. A decade is a millennium in tech time. Just ask Mark Zuckerberg.

If you have questions regarding Ice Miller's entrepreneurial services please contact Kristine C. Danz. Danz is a partner in the Firm's Business Group. She focuses her practice on entrepreneurial legal issues, start-up commercialization, private equity/venture capital financing transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.

This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. The reader must consult with legal counsel to determine how laws or decisions discussed herein apply to the reader's specific circumstances.

Name: Kristine Danz
Company: Ice Miller LLP
E-mail: kristine.danz@icemiller.com
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

Kristine Danz is a partner in Ice Miller's Business Group. She focuses her practice on entrepreneurial legal issues, start-up commercialization, private equity/venture capital financing transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.

Funding Law - Know Your IRR

Tuesday, January 25, 2011 by Community Blogger

It has been said a million times already on this blog -- a CEO, especially one which is seeking funds from private equity investors, needs to understand finance. Often a basic knowledge of sources and uses and cash flow analysis is enough, but in many early stage investment rounds, savvy investors expect the CEO to know the company's internal rate of return (IRR) - and why it matters.

I meet many entrepreneurs from the Indiana tech sector and beyond who have served as VPs or middle managers before embarking on their entrepreneurial dream. There is a key difference between the way a VP or manager looks at finance and the way a CEO looks at finance: VPs look at margins; CEOs look at cash flows.

The IRR is the time-weighted rate of return of future cash flows. More specifically it is the NPV of invested dollars, distributions to owners and unrealized investments. This is a key tool in valuing companies and for investors to determine the expected return of their investment. Venture capitalists and private equity firms understand IRR well - and most will use a discounted cash flow method (utilizing an IRR) to value companies in considering investment opportunities.

Attorney David Castor concentrates his practice on advising and serving Indiana information technology companies and broad-based other businesses and their owners through their legal matters including Indiana technology trends. Mr. Castor’s practice is focused largely on Indiana technology services, representing SaaS and Internet based companies as general counsel.

Name: David Castor
Company: Alerding Castor Hewitt LLP
E-mail: dcastor@alerdingcastor.com
City: Indianapolis
State: Indiana

Three Reasons to Get Involved with IU Informatics at IUPUI This Fall

Tuesday, October 12, 2010 by Community Blogger

We need your help here at the School of Informatics. We are committed to Indiana technology education and Indiana technology research through the professional development of our students (Informatics, HIA, and Media Arts) into graduates ready for the real world of employment in the Indiana tech sector and beyond.

We need industry professionals working in emerging business technology at information technology businesses willing to impart some wisdom and give honest advice to students on what their field is like and how to best prepare for jobs in their organizations.

What's in it for me you ask? In return for a little of your time your organization:

Gets branded with the student population here at the school. Free viral marketing is very effective!
Gets to interact with students and find those potential interns and employees who are ready for work now.
Can help those students who need to develop further skills by giving them advice that will better prepare them for internships and full-time positions for Indiana information technology jobs in the future...maybe with your company.

Here are dates that are set so far...

Informatics and Health Information Administration Majors Tuesdays - (9:00-10:50am)

Tuesday October 12 - Alumni Panel with Informatics and HIA students
Tuesday October 26 - Classroom Guest Speakers
Tuesday November 9 - Mock Interviews (At school or employer locations)
Tuesday November 16 - Classroom Guest Speakers
Tuesday November 23 - Job Shadows @ Employer Locations
Tuesday November 30 - Job Shadows @ Employer Locations
Tuesday December 7 - Classroom Guest Speakers

Media Arts (New Media) Majors - Thursdays(9:00-10:50am)

Thursday October 14 - Alumni Panel with Media Arts (New Media) students
Thursday October 21 - Classroom Guest Speakers
Thursday November 4 - Mock Interviews (At School or Employer locations)
Thursday November 11 - Classroom Guest Speakers
Thursday November 18 - Job Shadows @ Employer Locations
Thursday December 2 - Job Shadows @ Employer Locations
Thursday December 9 - Classroom Guest Speakers

Getting involved with the IU School of Informatics is a great way to recruit interns and future employees. Let some of our students come visit your organization for job shadows or mock interviews. Come visit our classes and present to students who will all be graduating with a degree in New Media, Informatics, or Health Information Administration. We have two sections of the Directed Studies course this fall. One meets on Tuesdays and the other on Thursdays. If you would like to be involved in one or both please contact me and I will make arrangements with you.

For more information, contact Brian Benedict at bbenedic@iupui.edu or 317-278-7611.

Name: Brian Benedict
Company: Indiana University School of Informatics at IUPUI
E-mail: bbenedic@iupui.edu
City: Indianapolis
State: Indiana

Nearly Half of the IEDC's 2010 Companies to Watch Are Technology Focused

Monday, August 30, 2010 by Joshua Hall

Last week, executives from 41 Hoosier "Companies to Watch" were honored at a gala dinner at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis. Presented by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), Purdue University, and the Edward Lowe Foundation, the "Companies to Watch" program recognizes the state’s fast-growing, high-potential firms among businesses with up to 150 employees and between $750,000 and $100 million in annual revenues.

It’s noteworthy that 17 of the 41 companies on this list are in the information technology space, representing areas like software development, IT consulting, e-mail marketing, and healthcare technologies. These high-tech firms are located across the state.

The fact that nearly half of the IEDC’s ‘Companies to Watch’ list are tech companies is more evidence – although anecdotal – of the sector’s continued growth and vitality in Indiana. Hoosier technology firms continued to add jobs even during the trough of the recession in 2008, and Indiana skyrocketed up the state rankings in venture capital investment per capita, from 41st in 2008 to 20th in 2009, showing that funding continues to flow to high-tech innovation here.

The 2010 "Companies to Watch" account for more than $390 million in annual revenues, employ more than 2,000 Hoosiers, and are on pace to create nearly 1,000 new jobs in 2000. The future looks bright for these businesses – as it does for Indiana’s technology community. See the full list of companies.

IBJ's 'Forty Under 40' List Should be Filled with Indiana Tech Professionals

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 by Joshua Hall

The Indianapolis Business Journal has announced its request for nominations for its annual “Forty under 40” list. "Forty under 40" is a list comprised of central Indiana’s leading business and professional leaders who have achieved a level of success that is rare at a young age.

We all know Indiana’s tech sector is filled with some of the state’s best and brightest, so let’s make sure to get them nominated so this year’s list is stacked with tech professionals.

Who do you think should be on the list this year?

Click here to nominate.

Mira Awards Ceremony Video, Chairman's Perspective

Thursday, June 17, 2010 by Joshua Hall

Mira Awards Celebrate Tech Sector’s Progress During Economic Turmoil
by Mark Hill

Last month, more than 600 of Indiana’s technology executives, opinion leaders and policymakers, educators and economic developers gathered at the annual TechPoint Mira Awards gala in downtown Indianapolis to celebrate more Hoosier high-tech success stories.

For more than a decade, the Mira Awards have recognized the companies, institutions and individuals who make up Indiana’s thriving technology community. This year’s winners provide ample optimism about our future as a high-tech economy:

They show that technological innovation is a catalyst for growth in every industry, not just IT. The Mira Innovation of the Year award winner is OrthoX, a life sciences company that’s developed an exceptionally strong material to anchor artificial joints to bones (Indiana firms account for more than a third of global orthopedic device sales). In Indiana’s largest industry, manufacturing, new technologies are also bringing new opportunities – the advanced manufacturing Mira award went to EnerDel, the fast-growing maker of high-tech batteries for electric vehicles.

Exact Target is a repeat winner in the Information Technology Mira category, continuing to lead the way as Central Indiana establishes itself as a hub for online marketing. Along with Exact Target, our region is called home by companies like Aprimo, Compendium Blogware, 5 Buckets, Lights Out Intelligence, Market Path, Cantaloupe, Delivera and Formstack. These firms are taking advantage of a titanic market shift that has seen the traditional media sector lose 32% of its market value from 2003 to 2008 while new media (online content and services) gained 102%.

Our Mira winners provide a cross-section of our most innovative companies in areas that represent promising market opportunities. It’s important that we celebrate their success. But the message behind this year’s Miras goes beyond a (well-deserved) pat on the back for the winners. The bigger picture is that that the state’s tech sector continued to grow and build momentum even during the tough times.

This year, TechPoint attracted a record number of Mira nominations. The previous high-water mark was set last year, and before that in 2008. Even during the worst of the national recession, this program generated steadily more and more interest and enthusiasm.

Less anecdotally, the latest Cyberstates report from the TechAmerica Foundation shows that Indiana continued to add tech jobs during the downturn, even as the rest of the private sector was making cuts.

Investors are also betting on Indiana’s high-tech entrepreneurs. Last year was the worst year for venture capital nationally in more than a decade. But in Indiana, we grew our total venture investment by nearly 70% over 2008 – and 2008 beat 2007 by 40%. I’m proud that the HALO Capital Group managed by TechPoint has added nearly $14 million in seed capital since 2008 to help further this trend.

Indiana’s technology sector has weathered the economic storms, and seems to have emerged stronger than ever. A recent Kauffman Foundation study that found that more than half of the companies on today’s Fortune 500 list were launched during an economic recession or severe bear market. This bodes well for the Mira winners of the last few years, and for our technology industry as a whole – as the economy continues to recover, tech companies will be leading the way.

TechPoint is working to help keep the momentum going. From improving connectivity in the tech community, improving access to capital and entrepreneurial expertise, and fighting for pro-growth policies at the Statehouse, we’re committed to creating a climate that produces even more success stories like those feted at Saturday’s Mira gala. Learn more about TechPoint’s efforts and the Mira Awards program (including a full roster of 2010 winners) at www.TechPoint.org.

Mark Hill is Managing Partner of Collina Ventures and chairman of TechPoint. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership.

Indiana companies take home top technology honors

Tuesday, May 18, 2010 by Joshua Hall

An elegant black-tie event filled with awards, food, beverages and Indiana tech sector networking, took place Saturday evening at the 2010 TechPoint Mira Awards – An event where the top individuals in the Indiana technology world come together to celebrate a night of their last year’s accomplishments. This year’s event was held at The Westin in downtown Indianapolis.

Now in its 11^th year, the Mira Awards highlight Indiana’s technology sector growth and success stories as well as recognize the most innovative and fast-growing companies, institutions and individuals, who are leading the way in the state’s high-tech economy.

PHOTO CAPTION: James Mason of OrthoX receives TechPoint Mira Award, Innovation of the Year, from TechPoint President and CEO Jim Jay.

This year was the biggest year for the Mira Awards, having attracted a record number of nominations for the prestigious and high-status awards that are presented at the distinguished event.

Watch funny video from Mira Awards gala.
Read official winners press release.

Bob Compton Recognized as TechPoint’s 2010 Technology Trailblazer

Monday, May 3, 2010 by Joshua Hall

Legendary Indiana investor and filmmaker will receive award at TechPoint Mira Awards Gala event May 15

TechPoint is pleased to announce that legendary investor and innovator Robert Compton is its 2010 Trailblazer Award recipient for significant and lasting contributions to Indiana’s high-tech economy. The Trailblazer Award is part of TechPoint’s annual Mira Awards program recognizing Indiana’s technology success stories in various categories for industry, institutions and individuals.

Thirty years ago, Robert Compton chose to forsake the security of a systems engineering career with IBM and venture in a new direction as an entrepreneur and investor. For Indiana’s technology sector, the rest is history – Compton has built an unparalleled record of investing in and supporting firms that became the foundation of the state’s high-tech industry, spawning successive generations of new companies (many of which Compton also became involved in).

Compton’s track record is truly a Hoosier high-tech ‘who’s who’ – firms like Software Artistry, Aprimo, Exact Target, Interactive Intelligence, Vontoo, IndianMathOnline, Compendium Blogware, Compression Engineering, Mezzia, Sci-Tech Ventures, Veregon and Warsaw Orthopedic (which went on to become Sofamor Danek, the world’s largest spinal medical device company, with Compton as its President). In all, he has been active in more than 40 businesses in software, telecommunications, healthcare, medical devices, and education.

“When you try to chart the progress of Indiana’s technology sector over the last two decades, most roads seem to lead back to Bob Compton,” said Jim Jay, TechPoint’s President & CEO. “He has been a catalyst for bringing so many new innovations to market, for making Indiana a hotbed for online measured marketing – the list of achievements goes on and on.

“This award only confirms what every Indiana technology entrepreneur knows to be true – Bob Compton certainly blazed a path that all of us continue to follow.”

Compton’s involvement in entrepreneurship doesn’t end with his direct involvement in for-profit ventures. He also serves as a Trustee of the Kauffman Foundation, a $1.8 billion institute dedicated to accelerating entrepreneurial activity. His recent exploits as a filmmaker – most notably the documentary “2 Million Minutes” – has explored the critical role of education to success in an entrepreneurial, knowledge-based economy, taking a look at the differing approaches employed by the U.S., China, and India.

“Bob is a venture capitalist in two senses of the phrase – he invests both intellectual and financial capital in companies and causes that he cares about,” added Mark Hill, Chairman of TechPoint and managing partner of Collina Ventures. “Indiana’s tech community has certainly been a beneficiary of his work, and this Trailblazer in Technology recognition is a well-deserved and long-overdue expression of our appreciation.”

For the last decade, TechPoint’s annual Mira Awards have put a spotlight on Indiana’s high-tech all-stars, understanding that celebrating success is one way to create more of it. The Mira Awards are Indiana’s largest and most visible technology awards program; learn more at http://www.techpoint.org/Mira/. This year’s Mira Gala awards ceremony will be held on May 15th at the Westin – Downtown Indianapolis. Tickets are available for purchase through the website.

About TechPoint
TechPoint is Indiana’s only statewide technology initiative, representing industry stakeholders including publicly-traded companies, private businesses, colleges and research universities, and local economic development organizations. The group’s mission is to accelerate Indiana’s emerging and vibrant information technology sector by: promoting the successes of information technology companies and professionals; supporting the formation, expansion, and attraction of IT companies; and advocating appropriate public policy. TechPoint is an initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership. Visit www.techpoint.org.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MIRA AWARDS GALA
LEARM MORE ABOUT BOB COMPTON

Photos & Video from December's Tech Thursday with IU School of Informatics Dean Bobby Schnabel

Friday, December 11, 2009 by Joshua Hall

Check out this video and some of the photos from the December Tech Thursday event. The guest speaker was Bobby Schnabel, dean of the School of Informatics at Indiana University.

As you can see from the media above, we've been drawing "standing room only" crowds for these events because the speakers are great and there really is no better place to network with the Central Indiana tech sector than at Baker & Daniels with our hosts IQuest and LightBound for Tech Thursday.

One of the things that struck me about Dean Schnabel's presentation was that he said admissions standards for the IU School of Informatics are going up at the same time that they are accepting larger numbers of students into the programs. This is an effort to maintain the reputation and high caliber education the university provides, while at the same time attempting to meet the increased demand for graduates in the marketplace.

Dean Schnabel's presentation will be available here on the TechPoint blog early next week.

Bob Compton to Premiere New Documentary Film Win in China at TechPoint’s Innovation Summit

Monday, September 14, 2009 by Joshua Hall

New film from businessman Bob Compton examines entrepreneurship in China and the country’s rise to a global superpower

INDIANAPOLIS (September 14, 2009) — The Indiana premiere of Win in China, Bob Compton’s new documentary on the explosion of entrepreneurship and new venture creation in China, will be part of TechPoint’s Innovation Summit at the Indiana Convention Center on Sept. 29.

Compton, creator and executive producer of the provocative documentary on global education, Two Million Minutes, said he wants Indiana CEO’s and university students to see his new film to better understand the challenges they will face from a tidal wave of Chinese entrepreneurs.

“In Communist China, the country’s heroes are not sports stars or entertainers but entrepreneurs, because they create jobs, wealth and strengthen communities,” Compton said. “Indiana has many successful entrepreneurs who have advanced the state’s economy, but the Chinese are investing in entrepreneurship education, infrastructure and venture capital on a scale unimaginable to Americans.”

He continued, “Remember what you saw at the Beijing Olympics, and imagine that scale of money, talent, energy and coordination being applied to building the entrepreneurial sector of China’s economy. Now double everything. The Politburo’s efforts are on a massive scale, and Americans are entirely unaware.”

“The point of the film and my desire to reach out to the TechPoint Innovation Summit audience isn’t to criticize Hoosiers or Indiana businesses – quite the opposite,” Compton said. “Indiana’s tech sector is our state’s future, and I believe this film can be a catalyst for renewed commitment to Indiana’s new venture initiatives by Innovation Summit attendees.”

Win in China is a 60-minute documentary film that centers on the largest, most lucrative business plan competition in history. Organized as a Donald Trump-like TV show, it was broadcast across China on CCTV3 and serves as a metaphor for the country’s dramatically increased entrepreneurialism.

Win in China follows the path of China from Cultural Revolution and abject poverty to the Entrepreneurial Revolution and rise to be the third largest economy in the world. It vividly illustrates the role entrepreneurship has played in the dramatic changes China has undergone over the past 30 years.

The Indiana premiere of Win in China will follow the national plenary panel at the Innovation Summit entitled “Funding Innovation,” which will feature Bob Compton and other venture capitalists from both coasts including:

Mathias Schilling, Senior Partner at BV Capital – San Francisco
Michael Arpey, Managing Director, Customized Fund Investment Group, Credit Suisse – New York
Michael Brown, General partner of Battery Ventures – Boston

The panel is sponsored by Alerding Castor Hewitt LLP and will be moderated by David Castor, partner at the firm.

The keynote speaker for the luncheon at the Innovation Summit will be renowned innovation expert, entrepreneur, bestselling author and Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen.

The screening is scheduled to begin at approximately 5:15 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center. You must be a registered Innovation Summit attendee to attend the screening. Early-bird tickets cost $150 in advance or $175 after Sept. 22. Visit http://www.techpoint.org/summit/ for more information about TechPoint’s Innovation Summit.

About Win in China
Win in China is a documentary film about the world’s largest and most lucrative business-plan competition, held not in the United States or any western country, but in communist China. Over 120,000 entrepreneurs compete for prize money in excess of $5 million with the winner receiving nearly $1.5 million dollars to invest in a new business plan. Documentary filmmaker Ole Schell was given unprecedented access to the show’s creator, the contestants and the judges. His documentary opens a window into Chinese capitalism, which differs in many ways from Western capitalism. Beneath the game show’s surface lies a nuanced, subtle view of Chinese business practices, ambitions, ethical norms and competitive behaviors. For more information, please visit www.WinInChinaMovie.com.

About TechPoint
TechPoint is Indiana’s only statewide technology initiative, representing industry stakeholders including publicly-traded companies, private businesses, colleges and research universities, and local economic development organizations. The group’s mission is to accelerate Indiana’s emerging and vibrant information technology sector by: promoting the successes of information technology companies and professionals; supporting the formation, expansion, and attraction of IT companies; and advocating appropriate public policy. Visit www.techpoint.org.

- 30 –

CONTACTS:
Joshua Hall, TechPoint, 317-464-5416, jhall@techpoint.org
Meghan Devitt, Dittoe Public Rel., 317-202-2280, ext. 11, meg@dittoepr.com

TechPoint Releases NEW Innovation Summit '09 Video

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 by Joshua Hall

TechPoint's Innovation Summit is less than three weeks away and now you can learn more about what's planned in a new video just released.

Innovation in technology across multiple industry sectors is the theme of this year's Summit -- the 11th year for this TechPoint event. The Indiana Tech Sector is much broader than information technology alone and technology sector growth comes from life sciences, advanced manufacturing, logistics, clean technology energy, education, and academic research commercialization.

For more information about TechPoint's Innovation Summit '09 visit www.techpoint.org/summit and please share the video above by clicking on the menu button in the bottom right corner.

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