Launch of the NEIN Venture Hub

The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC) launched the NEIN Venture Hub for communities and organizations to collaborate to help individuals who need help to start, launch, and grow their businesses. NEIN Venture Hub is a technology-enabled solution that integrates the tools, knowledge, and support entrepreneurs need. It is a platform used by the region’s service organizations to support the region’s entrepreneurs.

“It is fitting to launch during Global Entrepreneurship Week, which includes 40,000 activities worldwide,” said Mike Fritsch, President and CEO Of NIIC. This year’s theme is removing barriers and welcoming all, which dovetails with NIIC’s initiative of Entrepreneurship for ALL.

The pathway for launching NEIN Venture Hub included over 70 meetings as part of a listening tour in Northeast Indiana. “We met with economic development professionals, entrepreneurial support organizations, entrepreneurs, and educators. What bubbled to the top was the need for all support providers to work together to help entrepreneurs. We heard you. This ecosystem will help make that possible.”

About 50 organizations and resource partners currently use NEIN Venture Hub. That number will grow as communities in the region lead launch events. Individuals can leverage collective resources, knowledge, and expertise to tackle challenges, foster innovation, and maximize impact by engaging in this online ecosystem. The platform is free of charge to individuals. Register at https://startupspace.app/hub/NIIC. Partnerships are available for companies who would like a customized sub-hub on NEIN Venture Hub. Contact Rhonda Ladig at rladig@niic.net. Contact your local economic development corporation or chamber of commerce to see if your community is part of NEIN Venture Hub.