Gary-based entrepreneurs and startup businesses will showcase their products and services March 22 at IU Northwest.
The public is invited to learn more about Gary’s newest businesses and organizations. More than 20 businesses will be featured.
The businesses participated in the StartUp Business Success program. The IU Northwest School of Business and Economics leads the four-week certificate program, in collaboration with the city of Gary. The program helps entrepreneurs learn business skills, such as marketing, financial management and business plan development.
“The purpose of the program is to support local entrepreneurs in their pursuit of establishing and leading a successful business,” said Jana Szostek, director of the IU Northwest Business Assessment Center and lead for the StartUP Business Success program, in a press release.
Businesses focused in the following areas will be at the event:
- Party supplies: custom apparel; balloon artistry; custom party items; trinkets
- Government procurement
- Visual arts: photography, videography, digital asset management
- Employment: recruitment
- Health and social services: home care for elderly and disabled, group home for troubled children, mastectomy supplies
- Food services: food vendors, cocoa prep business
- Education: STEM education for youth and adults, tutoring
After completing the StartUp Business Success program, select entrepreneurs may receive grant funding from the city of Gary, through the American Rescue Plan Act fund.
“This is part of a larger strategy and commitment by the campus to help drive innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Northwest Indiana,” Szostek said.
This marks the second round of entrepreneurs to complete the program. In fall 2023, over 40 entrepreneurs took part in the program. Their business visions included restaurants, catering businesses, clothing stores, cleaning companies and life coaching services.
The startup vendor showcase will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 in the John W. Anderson Library/Conference Center on IU Northwest’s campus.
IU Northwest is one of seven campuses of Indiana University. The campus has about 3,500 degree-seeking students. IU Northwest has been recognized by the Department of Education as a minority and Hispanic-serving institution.
Photo from the fall 2023 vendor showcase provided by IU Northwest.
