Indiana Governor announces launch of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
It is part of an effort to focus Indiana’s economic development efforts on supporting Hoosier businesses and workers.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun is officially launching the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation to help Main Street entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their businesses to grow Indiana’s economy and support Hoosier workers.
The newly announced office will be led by Brian Schutt, Co-Founder of Indianapolis co-working space and start-up incubator Refinery46, as well as the Co-Founder of Homesense Heating and Cooling. In conjunction with the new office, Governor Braun has redirected Indiana’s economic development efforts to focus on supporting Hoosier businesses and workers, and spreading the benefits of economic development to all four corners of the state, with two North Star priorities: wage growth and new job opportunities.
The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation will build on those ideas, and take over some entrepreneurship-focused functions from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, such as overseeing certified technology parks.
The office’s primary directives are to:
- Develop and administer programs to support the growth of small business, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Indiana.
- Direct and oversee programs and sources of funding related to the growth of small business, entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation in Indiana.
- Strengthen policies and programs supporting the growth of entrepreneurship in Indiana.
- Coordinate with state agencies and other state-funded entities to align services and programs related to entrepreneurship and starting and scaling a business.
- Work with funded entities to measure funds reaching rural communities, and work with stakeholders and organizations to provide technical support and expand access to resources for entrepreneurs across Indiana.
- Develop and administer programs to support and encourage youth entrepreneurship, including supporting students and teachers in fostering entrepreneurial skills.
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