Recognizing all types of investors who bet on Indiana tech companies and serve as critical mentors and connectors

Securing funds is crucial for any tech start up, but it’s even more crucial when expanding. Indiana tech is working hard to drive national capital investment firms and their money to the state, and it’s important to recognize how critical this funnel is to our tech ecosystem.  

The Investor of the Year award spotlights angel investors or investment firms who bring capital plus outstanding connections, advice, and attention to Indiana tech companies. This award category recognizes all types of investors who bet on Indiana tech companies and serve as critical mentors and connectors. 

Our 2022 nominee class may be small, but they are mighty. High Alpha, a long-standing and locally-based investor and venture studio, is committed to Indiana as the Midwest tech hub. Inoca Capital Partners, hailing from Utah, have already committed to two Indiana tech companies and are ready to engage with more. JMI Equity is based in Maryland and California and they are consistently investing in tech across a broad range of companies and cities. Sixty8 Capital, based in Indianapolis, is focused on local and underserved communities and is looking to close the racial wealth gap on Black, Brown, women, LGBTQ+, and other diverse communities. These investors each bring a unique perspective to Indiana tech founders looking for backing capital. 

The 2021 Investor of the Year winner, IU Ventures, has created a compelling mission statement with three initiatives—the IU Philanthropic Venture Fund, the IU Angel Network, and the IU Founders & Funders Network. IU Ventures was one of the most active funding sources in the state during the pandemic, not just in Central Indiana but statewide. In addition, IU Ventures dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is a great example for others. More than 50% of the companies IU Ventures has invested in since 2018 have had women or minority founders, CEOs, or other C-suite members. We look forward to what comes from their 2022 Venture Summit, which is being held this May.

Our list of Investors this year include: 

  • High Alpha (Indianapolis, Ind.) — A venture studio that conceives, launches, and scales next-generation enterprise cloud and SaaS companies.
  • Inoca Capital Partners (Park City, Utah)— Inoca Capital Partners invests in people who want to accelerate growth and embrace change. Inoca Capital partners with management teams who are committed to growth, their employees, and know their business.
  • JMI Equity (Baltimore, Maryland) — With over $6 billion of committed capital raised since inception, JMI helps growing businesses become industry leaders. JMI helps companies with a solid market and product fundamentals create significant shareholder value. 
  • Sixty8 Capital (Indianapolis , Ind.) —Sixty8 Capital will be the most active seed-stage investor for undercapitalized founders* in the Midwest & South.

“The Mira Awards gala is not only the biggest tech event in the state, it’s also the barometer of Indiana’s tech industry growth, strength and dynamism,” said Mike Langellier, president and CEO of TechPoint. “The robustness of this year’s class of nominees bodes well for our tech community’s future, and we’re excited to finally, hopefully, celebrate together in person after two years of remote galas during the pandemic.”

The 2022 Mira Award winners will be announced during TechPoint’s in-person gala at the JW Marriot on Saturday, April 23, with presenting sponsor Salesforce. This will be the first in-person gala held since 2019, before the COVID pandemic. A limited number of sponsorships are available for purchase until March 25.

Get more information about the 2022 Mira Awards and join us on April 23 for the unveiling of the “Best of Tech” Mira Award winner for the Investor of the Year!