Indiana Technology Business

Indianapolis start-up successfully launches software to build iOS apps, code-free.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 by Community Blogger

The idea of App Press was conceived in early 2010 after Kevin Smith and I discussed a way designers could build an iOS app without writing a single line of code. To us this would be an extremely powerful emerging business technology tool for any business or publisher. The goal was to construct the entire tool so that it was 100% web-based - eliminating difficult software installations, thus making it enterprise friendly. To complement the web-based CMS tool we would need an universal iOS app to preview and share App Press designs and apps. After many beta phases and a three-month-long approval process with Apple we final launched App Press to the public on May 28, 2011.

Since May 28, App Press has gone from 22 to 1,000 clients in 6 different countries. App Press clients now include Random House, Tweddle Group, Pentagram (The world's largest independent design consultancy), Gannett Digital and the Indianapolis Star which utilized App Press to develop the hugely successful, ‘500 History’ app for the iPad and iPhone.

What makes App Press so unique is its simplicity. The App Press designer uploads the images he or she creates (jpgs or pngs), then repositions the elements in the App Press interface. By hitting the save button in the tool and using the App Press app, users can instantly view their work on their iPad and/or iPhone. You can also create hotspots that link to anywhere online and tie in any Twitter feed or social media feed. (www.myappress.com) Our clients and users have flooded the system with countless designs and several apps which anyone can download from the App Store.

App Press has chronicled the success stories of several App Press apps. From ‘The Chili Chef’ being hand selected by Apple and featured in the App Store, to ‘500 History’ being featured on the iTunes home page. We’ve also seen App Press empower companies like New York based, AngioDynamics by allowing them to install an employee manual app on all their company’s iPads and iPhones through their Apple enterprise account. The Jacky Winter Group based out of Australia put together a beautiful app featuring their client’s illustration work. ‘The Jacky Winter Field Guide’ showcases the very best contemporary Australian artists and their work for clients such as Nike, GQ, Wired, Reader’s Digest, Random House and Conde Nast.

The Jacky Winter Group director, Jeremy Wortsman had this to say about App Press ...

"We are incredibly thrilled to be using App Press for our agency's first iPad publication app. After investigating similar options on the market, there is simply no contest in terms of price, support, features, and overall level of care and personal attention that the App Press team has demonstrated over the course of developing our app. We are still shocked to this day how seamless the process has been and how our existing print design resources were able to effortlessly translate into a highly polished and functional native iOS app. Simply remarkable."

Our goal at App Press is to empower designers and publishers by allowing them to leverage their existing content to build something amazing for the iPad and iPhone. Our pricing beats all comparable options for building a quality iOS app (quality is the keyword). We believe App Press' incredible features will take your app to highest level of quality for a fraction of the cost it would take you to develop it elsewhere.

Name: Grant Glas
Company: Invisions Technical Arts
E-mail: grant@invisionsta.com
City: Indianapolis
State: Indiana

Grant is the CEO / Co-Founder of App Press LLC and Invisions Technical Arts LLC. With several years of hard work developing identity and branding systems, promotional materials, web sites, editorial design and mobile apps for a wide range of clients, Grant has developed a vast portfolio. Drawing from the big closet of art and design history, classic and pop iconography, literature, music and film, Grant creates images that speak to contemporary audiences with emotional impact and appeal.

Mobile Apps Provide Measured Marketing Success for Restaurants

Thursday, July 7, 2011 by Community Blogger

Indiana technology company and digital marketing agency Boost Media & Entertainment has signed a number of new clients, including some of Indy’s favorite eateries.

The latest additions are Mesh on Mass, Scotty’s Brewhouse and Skyline Club.

For Mesh and Skyline Club, mobile apps by Boost will allow patrons to peruse menus, specials, and photos, and even book tables directly from their smart-phones.

“Our clientele at Mesh is savvy and sophisticated, and our app is a great way to reach out to people like this, engage them and most importantly, keep them coming back in,” said Ben Bullard, director of communication at Mesh.

Jeff Markowicz, general manager of Skyline Club, said, “Boost is bringing us into ‘The Smart-phone Era.’ Which, if you haven’t noticed, is upon us in a big way.”

Fresh off a TechPoint Mira Award for New Media Innovation, Scotty’s Brewhouse is looking to continue its forward-thinking success by capitalizing on technology business trends and turning its VIP club digital. VIPs no longer need to carry a paper card in their wallet—instead, they can simply show the app on their smart-phone and enjoy VIP benefits and discounts.

“New media is all about reaching customers on their terms. The VIP app Boost is creating does just that. Their advice and skill in this area have been invaluable to us,” said Bruce McClain, director of technology for Scotty’s.

Other prominent restaurant customers include patrons of Boost’s successful Talk to Customers campaigns such as Tastings Wine Bar, Caracas Arepas Grill, and King David Dogs — all who say they gained invaluable measured marketing research and customer connection through an innovative online survey program.

Name: Jason Zickler
Company: Boost Media Entertainment
E-mail: jzickler@boostmediaentertainment.com

Jason is the CEO / Co-Founder of Boost. He has extensive design and project management experience in interactive graphics and new media. Jason has received seven Addy awards over the course of his career, as well as numerous other awards.

Funding Law: How Much Money Does Your New Business Need?

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 by Community Blogger

by David Castor

Last night, I lectured on this topic (Funding Law) to my entrepreneurial capstone class at Purdue. It is possibly the most basic question for any Indiana technology startup looking to raise capital for an emerging business technology or other venture, but it is often not approached correctly. In my experience most entrepreneurs take a wild guess at their number.

The correct approach for Indiana technology companies is the same for almost every other kind of business, which is to look at your cash flow projections and determine it from there. For a new startup the goal is to get to "break-even" and beyond. For later stage companies, the projections may address strategic growth milestones. Either way, the cash flow proforma is the most important financial statement available to you.

If there is one thing I have learned in my entrepreneurial law practice it is that:

Employees care about salaries
Managers care about margins
Banks care about net income
Entrepreneurs care about cash flows

Your proforma should address the month by month inflows and outflows of cash based upon your revenue model(s) and cost projections. Your goal is to find out where you bottom out. That bottom out number is the base for the capital needed.

I have never seen a startup hit its first year projections. Entrepreneurs who do their homework should be able to be within 5% or so of their cost projections, but revenue projections are much harder to hit. Even with the best market research, strategic risk, random risk, dumb luck and unfortunate events cause revenue projections to miss their mark.

Most business plans build in contingencies for variable costs (or certain key fixed startup costs) based on revenue milestones being missed. Take these contingencies into consideration when determining how much capital you will need.

A few other thoughts:

1.) Know your A/R model. Whether you require payment up front or a long pay cycle will make a huge difference on your cash flow projections. Also, if your business model carries a lower realization rate on A/R, build in that strategic risk factor into your projections.

2.) Know your inventory model. This is especially important for manufacturing and distribution companies.

3.) Get an operating line of credit from a bank. This is extremely helpful for those payroll weeks where the company is short on cash. This happens to nearly all early stage start ups, and that is what lines of credits are intended to protect.

4.) Plan for taxes. Whether your company is a C-Corp or a pass through entity which is making tax distributions to owners, you need to figure these amounts (both as savings and payouts) in your cost projections. I see a number of early stage business plans that do not consider tax distributions in their cash flow proforma.

5.) Prepare for reserves. If your startup cash projections tell you that the business will bottom out at a negative $150k in month seven, do not plan to raise $150k. Determine the risks associated with your model, look at the revenue projection contingencies, and determine an appropriate dollars amount above and beyond the cash bottom out number to hold in reserves. Any sophisticated private equity investor will want (and expect) you to carry reserves.

The key for technology professionals, information technology businesses and others when raising capital from angel or private equity investors, is to be able to clearly explain why you need the money you are asking for. Use your cash flow proforma and refer to your sources and uses and be confident about how much you need.

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

Live Streaming Mobile Application Lets Indie Radio 'Go Where You Go'

Monday, February 21, 2011 by Community Blogger

Independent radio stations find digital foothold with emerging business technology -- new live streaming mobile app

MyStationApp (www.MyStationApp.com) is a new Indiana technology innovation designed to connect fans to their favorite radio station live no matter where they are, by porting PLS streams (multimedia files) onto their smart phones.

The app has struck a chord with independent stations such as WTTS in Indianapolis, which believes apps are a technology business trend that can enrich the relationship with their audience.

“Our goal is to be part of our listeners’ lifestyle. Our mantra is to think like listeners first and foremost, and MyStationApp nailed it,” says Brad Holtz, program director for Indiana-based AAA station WTTS.

MyStationApp is favored by indie radio stations because it features a low implementation cost and a short development time—under a week in many cases—yet can be completely customized by each station to create a one-of-a-kind product.

MyStationApp was developed by Indiana information technology company, digital marketing agency and software developer Boost Media & Entertainment (www.BoostMediaEntertainment.com) in Indianapolis.

· WTTS racked up 1,500 downloads of its app in one week.
· MyStationApp uses streams with the AAC+ codec for Apple iOS devices.
· For Android devices, the app streams a 64k MP3.
· Complete apps are under 1 MB, meaning ultra-fast download and install times.
· App integrates with stations’ social networking efforts in Facebook and Twitter.

About Boost Media & Entertainment:

Boost Media & Entertainment is an Indianapolis-based digital marketing agency and software developer specializing in mobile and web-based applications. Boost created MyStationApp with guidance from Strategic Advisor Jason Acquisto. Acquisto has several years of experience in programming and sales at number of independent radio stations. Visit Boost’s website at www.boostmediaentertainment.com.

Name: Jason Zickler
Company: Boost Media Entertainment
E-mail: jason@zickler.com
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

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

Extend the tax credit

Thursday, January 27, 2011 by Jim Jay

As seen in The Session on IndyStar.com

Jim Jay Indiana is earning the confidence of entrepreneurs and investors as a hospitable place to launch new ventures, so says a California-based think tank that is lauding Indiana’s progress in financing new companies.

On Jan. 25, the Milken Institute released its 2010 State Science and Technology Index, which ranks states according to various measures of high-tech economic growth. Indiana was among the biggest gainers from the 2008 Index, moving up five spots from 33rd to 28th. Our biggest improvement came in the “Risk Capital and Entrepreneurial Infrastructure” category, where the report’s authors wrote:

“Indiana’s gains are across several categories, but the risk capital and entrepreneurial infrastructure component is responsible for the bulk of its overall advance from 33rd to 28th this year. Indiana vaulted from 37th in 2008 to 19th in that category, and ranked fourth in venture capital growth this year, gaining ground in both venture capital relative to GSP (from 26th to 17th) and business start-up rates (also 26th to 17th).”

Considering that all net job creation in today’s economy comes from small entrepreneurial companies, this is great news for Hoosiers. For too long, Indiana languished as “flyover country” for venture capitalists, limiting our ability to grow an entrepreneurial economy. Obviously, things are changing for the better.

But we can’t afford to be passive observers of these trends. We have to find new ways to encourage and accelerate them. That’s why TechPoint supports House Bill 1008, which extends the state tax credit for venture capital investments until 2015 and increases the available credit from $500,000 to $1 million.

The fact that our venture boom happened despite the economic downturn shows tremendous potential for future growth. A recent Kauffman Foundation study found that more than half of the companies on today’s Fortune 500 list were launched during an economic recession or severe bear market. We’re seeing the same sort of momentum with venture-backed companies like ExactTarget and EnerDel creating hundreds of new jobs in Central Indiana.

Now isn’t the time to take these gains for granted. Raising the venture capital tax credit will help maintain this progress and encourage investors to keep betting on Indiana innovations.

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 Indiana Executives Named Finalists in SLMA Award

Friday, November 19, 2010 by Community Blogger

Jenny Vance, president and co-founder of Indianapolis-based LeadJen, Richard Cunningham, VP, marketing and Troy Burk, at Right On Interactive, have been nominated for the “50 Most Influential Sales Lead Management Professionals’ -award.

This award is sponsored by the Sales Lead Management Association (SLMA), which helps provide best practices, for marketing and sales management. Members and non-members may vote at the SLMA website: http://www.salesleadmgmtassn.com/top50_vote.htm

We are asking for support from TechPoint and its membership to support three local technology executives. The voting process is fast and each voter can cast three ballots. We appreciate the support of Jenny, Richard, and Troy to receive this award from SLMA.

Jenny Vance co-founded LeadJen in 2004 where, under her leadership, LeadJen grew into a multi-million dollar company serving more than 200 clients that range from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies. LeadJen is able to enable any company to improve their marketing campaign and their sales lead growth through their database building, marketing campaigns, and B2B appointment setting. Jenny joined LeadJen from NoInk Communications (acquired by Everypath, Inc.) where she served as the Director of Marketing and Inside Sales. Prior to NoInk, Jenny served in numerous marketing and inside sales roles at Aprimo, Incorporated. Jenny has a B.A. in Economics from DePauw University where she participated in the Management Fellows Entrepreneurial Honors program.

Richard Cunningham is a veteran of corporate marketing and field marketing operations with business-to-business companies ranging from start-ups to Global 100. His passion is developing demand generation programs that produce measurable results. Cunningham currently serves as vice president of marketing at Right On Interactive, a leading provider of Customer Lifecycle Marketing software solutions. He previously served as director of marketing with Aprimo, Inc. He holds a bachelors of science degree from Purdue University.

Troy Burk is the CEO and founder of Right on Interactive (ROI). ROI is a customer lifecycle marketing software provider that transforms the way marketers nurture business relationships – from initial contact to brand advocacy. Prior to founding ROI, Burk was the director of sales in the start-up stages of Exact Target. There he developed the initial sales strategy and methodology that helped grow the company from a few customers to thousands. Burk holds a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University.

Name: Amanda Cunningham
Company: LeadJen
E-mail: amanda@leadjen.com
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

US Private Equity: Top Ten Things to Look For In Angel Investors

Thursday, October 28, 2010 by Community Blogger

The last couple of years have been strange. With the change in the economy, many early stage companies are looking for anybody, and I mean anybody, to invest in their capital round.

As the economy rebounds (which we are seeing in technology markets), business owners are again able to be picky when considering angel investors.

An angel investor, angel investor group or private equity firm should be more than just a liquid wallet. He/she should be a strategic member of your team. They should be useful, ethical and valuable.

Here are ten questions to ask when considering an angel investor:

1.) Does the investor offer cash without ridiculous conditions?

2.) Is the investor interested in future rounds?

3.) Does the investor understand your market?

4.) Can the investor assist in developing customers or networks within your market?

5.) Does the investor bring a necessary skill set to the company?

6.) Is the investor honest?

7.) Is the investor respectful?

8.) Does the investor have a good reputation in the community?

9.) Will the investor be a time suck on you and/or key employees?

10.) Is the investor an a#*hole?

For the next few years these folks will be in your life – so make sure you want them there!

Attorney David Castor concentrates his practice on advising and serving Indiana businesses and their owners through their legal matters. Mr. Castor’s practice is focused largely on 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

Why should you attend TechPoint's Innovation Summit?

Wednesday, October 20, 2010 by Joshua Hall

We posed the question of why Indiana technology and business professionals should attend TechPoint's Innovation Summit and a few other questions to three Hoosier experts. These three individuals are at the top of their game and they also happen to be presenters on panels for the event (so they know a little something about the valuable nuggets of business knowledge they plan to espouse).

The video speaks for itself. Visit the TechPoint website for more information about Innovation Summit. There you can download the full event agenda with the topics of all four breakout sessions and the participating panelists; find out about the "Funding Innovation" plenary panel; and which venture capital, angel and seed funding firms are scheduled to attend the "Capital Connection" venture networking event.

You won't want to miss the keynote address from iconoclast technology author Nicholas Carr. Carr is famous for his controversial articles "Does IT Matter?" and asking the question "Is Google making us stupid?" in his new book The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains. Agree or disagree with him, Carr makes us think – and that’s the first step towards innovation.

Of course, one of the best parts about Innovation Summit is the "Innovation Exhibition" trade show floor where you can browse booth after booth after booth filled with new technologies and business opportunities. Make sure you have a healthy supply of business cards, make note of the #Summit10 Twitter hashtag, and prepare yourself for Indiana's largest assembly of technology professionals and entrepreneurs.

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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

TechPoint Launches Indiana Measured Marketing Initiative

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 by Joshua Hall

Today, TechPoint, with support from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and Ball State University's Center for Media Design, announced Indiana’s Measured Marketing Initiative, a national media relations campaign to position Indiana as the leader of a fast-growing, emerging technology business category that TechPoint has coined as “measured marketing.” The goal for this initiative is to raise awareness, generate customers for existing businesses and attract companies to create jobs and investments in Indiana.

There are more than 70 measured marketing companies in the state of Indiana. Measured marketing companies provide a platform or service for digital marketing via email, social media, search, video, mobile and other rapidly evolving technologies, and they provide clients with return-on-investment tracking.

With its technology-related tax credits and exemptions, access to major research universities, and very reasonable costs of living, Indiana has been a great home for technology businesses, and we are excited to see more companies do business in Indiana.

For more information on Indiana’s Measured Marketing Initiative, please go to www.indianameasuredmarketing.com.

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.

Angie of Angie's List speaks on the struggles of starting her business

Thursday, May 27, 2010 by Joshua Hall

TechPoint’s May Tech Thursday event held at Baker & Daniels was filled with a room of Indiana IT executives, good food, beverages and a lot of networking, but what topped off the evening was speaker Angie Hicks, Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Angie’s List – The ever-growing Indianapolis-based company.

Angie’s List is a consumer generated company that takes consumer reviews of local companies and makes them available to the public by charging a monthly subscription fee.

At the event, Hick’s spoke on her struggles, trials and tribulations over the past 15 years in her inspiring efforts of starting Angie’s List and turning it into what it is today.

What started as a door to door business selling magazine subscriptions has evolved into a company with some 750,000 customers generating revenue in 2009 of more than $34 million. Today, Angie’s List is present in 124 markets and last year grew 35 percent despite the recession.

In recent news, Angie’s List has gone international, opening a market in Canada. In its efforts towards expansion, the company is continuously trying new marketing tools of which its most recent includes the usage of social media outlets – Facebook and Twitter.

Hick's said that Angie’s List has evolved to become a credible recognition of which Indiana businesses take great pride in and want to be a part of.

Video and Photos from the 2010 TechPoint Mira Awards

Monday, May 17, 2010 by Joshua Hall

If you were a little bit late to the Mira Awards ceremony on Saturday, May 15, (or if, [GASP!] you couldn't make it) you may have missed the funny video at the very beginning that asked the question: "What if Indiana's tech companies didn't exist?"

Inside Indiana Business, Thrive Michiana, The Indianapolis Star and several other publications statewide carried news of the TechPoint Mira Awards:

Inside Indiana Business
Thrive Michiana
The Indianapolis Star

This page will be updated. Check back for more photos, videos and news.

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

Mira Awards Nominations NOW OPEN, Share the Nominate & Winner's Circle Pages

Thursday, January 7, 2010 by Joshua Hall

TechPoint is now accepting nominations for its annual Mira Awards -- the largest and most prestigious technology awards program in the state of Indiana.

Also of note, the Mira Awards website includes a Past Winners section that TechPoint is calling the Winner's Circle, which has the finalists and winners listed from each year available dating back to the year 2000. This new section contains the company name and logo for the finalists and winners as well as direct links to their respective websites.

We've added SHARE buttons to every single page on the Mira Awards website, so be sure to post relevant pages to your Facebook wall or Tweet the nomination forms or Winner's Circle to your followers.

How do I get nominated?

Anyone can submit a nomination for a Mira Award. You can nominate a company or someone you know. You can nominate your own company or department, and you can even nominate yourself.

There's really only one rule; nominees must do business, teach or otherwise operate within the state of Indiana.

Okay, it's actually a lot more complicated than that, but every journey starts with a single step. If you or your school or company has anything at all to do with technology and you operate within the state of Indiana, YOU SHOULD BE PARTICIPATING IN THE TECHPOINT MIRA AWARDS.

The Mira Awards nomination process includes some pretty in-depth questions as you'll see on the nomination form. It's a good idea to visit the site now, download the forms, and start thinking about what you want to write in for each question.

NOMINATION FORMS
WINNER'S CIRCLE
LEARN MORE

TechPoint Video Digest, December 2009

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 by Joshua Hall

Your browser does not support Javascript. Please use the following links to view the video(s) you were looking for.Videos

TechPoint Tech Thursday Holiday Edition, December 10

Description: Bobby Schnabel, dean of the Indiana University School of Informatics presented to a "standing room only" crowd during TechPoint's Tech Thursday event presented by IQuest and LightBound at the Baker & Daniels law firm's north Indianapolis office.

Keywords: Schnabel, techpoint, tech thursday, iquest, lightbound, baker and Daniels, jim jay, ron pirau, Nick Mathioudakis, H. Patrick Callahan, Pat Callahan, Jack Carr