This is the first in a series of blogs featuring the Indianapolis venture community, written by Evening MBA student Katie Wilson, MBA'20.
When people across the country think about entrepreneurship or venture activities, Indianapolis may not be the first city that comes to mind. But what many don’t know is that Indy has a vibrant and diverse venture community just waiting for you to discover.
As an MBA student at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, I have the opportunity to participate in this community and would like to give you a peek into it! The Evening MBA program offered on IUPUI's campus gives students the ability to participate in a class aptly named the Venture Club and the Venture Community of Indiana. The requirements are excellent as one might expect… Get involved with the organizations in Indy to learn more about the entrepreneurs that make up these organizations, the support these communities give to their members, and the way these organizations are changing Indy for the better.
In this experience, I’ve had an opportunity to attend events put on by a number of venture organizations. They each have a different vibe but have all been extremely welcoming.
My first event took me to meet professionals at Powderkeg, a self-described "connections engine for tech founders, investors, and professionals at startups between the coasts."
A very diverse group, these entrepreneurs have a knack for technology, innovation and great conversation. Powderkeg events are casual, vibrant and usually have a pitch-style event to showcase new opportunities.
Next, I found myself at The Startup Ladies' door. This group welcomes both men and women, so don’t let the name fool you. The members are eager to help one another with problems or ideas and discuss lots of topics amongst the group.
I’ve also attended events put on by the Venture Club of Indiana and the Economic Club of Indiana. Both events draw large crowds, but conversation and innovation were both flowing.
