Three Region organizations were included in a new grant program.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation announced $500,000 in grant awards to spur entrepreneurship. The IEDC’s Community Collaboration Fund will power 16 community projects, with a focus on underrepresented founders and underserved markets. 

The three organizations in the Region were:

• Veteran Pitch Competition: Purdue University Northwest Commercialization and Manufacturing Excellence Center received $40,000 to assist veteran-owned startups in pitching their business ideas for funding.  
• Capital Coaching in North Central Indiana: CDFI Friendly South Bend received $40,000 to work with the North Central Indiana Small Business Development Center to create one-on-one coaching to help underserved businesses in St. Joseph, Marshall and Elkhart counties gain access capital.  
• Fueling Women Entrepreneurship Workshop Series: Momentum Entrepreneurship Hub received $10,000 to host a workshop series called Fueling Women Entrepreneurship to support, connect and train women founders in St. Joseph, Marshall and Elkhart counties.  

The projects were selected based on their potential to fill gaps in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and support rural, women, minority and veteran entrepreneurs.

“The ability to leverage the Community Collaboration Fund, along with the investment of our community partner organizations, will greatly accelerate our work to support and empower local entrepreneurs and big thinkers,” said Dan Robison, director of the Jackson County Chamber, in a press release. “The launch of this program by the IEDC demonstrates the state’s commitment to connect and support all current and aspiring entrepreneurs as well as our local ecosystems throughout Indiana.”  

The Community Collaboration Fund is one of many state initiatives aimed at growing Indiana’s entrepreneurial activity and supporting startups and small businesses.

“Indiana has been recognized as the best state in the U.S. to start a business, and we’re leaning in even further to ensure that all Hoosiers have equal access and opportunity in their entrepreneurial journey,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg. “The Community Collaboration Fund is yet another resource that community-focused entrepreneur organizations across the state can leverage to provide direct support to aspiring entrepreneurs, startups and growing small businesses and to help ensure the continued success of Hoosier innovators statewide.”