Every successful tech company has a story. And somewhere along the way, there’s usually a connection that helped make it possible. An investor who believed in the idea. An experienced leader who offered guidance. A customer who took a chance on something new.

On November 4, TechPoint aims to help create more of those connections.

Community Connect: Built for What’s Next, presented by Elanco and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, will bring founders, investors and corporate innovators together at Butler University to build relationships and explore what’s ahead for Indiana tech.

With opportunities to meet investors and learn from Indiana’s tech leaders, there are plenty of reasons to attend.

1. Get a First Look at TechPoint’s Vision for Indiana

Building Indiana’s next generation of successful tech companies starts with a shared vision for what’s possible.

After opening remarks from Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich, TechPoint President and CEO Eric Christopher will unveil TechPoint’s new vision for Indiana’s tech future.

Christopher will then join a conversation with Justin Wojtowicz of Borshoff, Megan Casey Glover of Usalco and founder of 120Water and Elliott Parker of Alloy Partners, to discuss how Indiana can attract investment, strengthen its tech ecosystem and create more opportunities for companies to grow.

2. Meet the Right Investors Through Venture Connect

A great pitch opens doors, and the right room puts you in front of the investors who are ready to listen. Participants who signed up for the Venture Connect session will get the chance to meet face to face with venture capital and investment firms from across the country through curated, one-on-one meetings.

Here’s how it works. Participants review a look book of companies and investors, submit their meeting preferences and receive a schedule about a week before the event. On November 4, they meet in focused, 20-minute sessions. TechPoint then follows up to track the introductions, partnerships and investments that come out of it.

3. Learn What it Takes to Land an Enterprise Customer

Winning a major corporate customer can change the trajectory of a startup. But getting past procurement, winning over decision-makers and closing the deal takes more than a great product and solid pitch.

The panel “Inside the Deal: How Enterprises Really Decide to Buy” will give founders a behind-the-scenes look at how large companies evaluate technology and make purchasing decisions.

Moderated by TechPoint’s Ginger Lippert, the conversation features Jason Foster of Salesforce, Dan Hunt of Databricks and Cory Wheeler, co-founder of Indianapolis-based Zylo.

They’ll share what moves enterprise deals forward, what can derail them and how startups can better position themselves to win new business.

4. See How Indiana’s Industry Leaders Are Driving Innovation

Some of Indiana’s most promising growth comes from established companies, startups and investors working side by side. Two Community Connect panels will show what those partnerships look like in practice.

  • Built in One Health: Christy Wright, AgriNovus president and CEO, will lead a conversation with Jill Conaway of Elanco, John Pavletic of Lilly Ventures and Vince Wong of BioCrossroads, on how the One Health Innovation District in Indianapolis drives corporate innovation, collaboration and growth across Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem.
  • The CVC Playbook: Eric Christopher will join Jonathan Schalliol of HG Ventures, Amber Porter of American Family Ventures and Zac Darnell of Frontega Ventures, to discuss how companies use corporate venture capital to support innovation and growth.

Over lunch, Ron Fleetwood of Cummins will deliver the keynote, sharing how the Columbus-based company has become one of Indiana’s strongest examples of an advanced manufacturer leading with technology.

5. Connect with Indiana’s Ecosystem in One Room

Few events bring Indiana’s entire innovation economy together at once. Founders, investors, corporate leaders, university entrepreneurship teams and the broader tech community all show up for Community Connect.

With small-group discussions and networking time, you’ll leave with new relationships and a clear sense of how you fit into the state’s next chapter.

Register for Community Connect

On November 4, TechPoint will unveil its new vision for Indiana’s tech future, and the conversations that follow could shape your next investment or big idea. Spend the morning at Butler University with the founders, investors and leaders building what comes next.

Register for Community Connect