Built for What’s Next: Community Connect Looks Ahead to Indiana’s Next Chapter
TechPoint’s next Community Connect will bring together founders, investors, corporate innovators, higher education entrepreneurship leaders and members of Indiana’s tech community for a day focused on Indiana’s next chapter in companies, capital and community.
Community Connect: Built for What’s Next, presented by Elanco and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, takes place Wednesday, November 4, at Butler University. Programming runs from 9 am to 1 pm, with Venture Connect meetings continuing until 3 pm.
Attendees will hear TechPoint’s vision for the future, explore how companies and investors are approaching innovation and build new connections across startups, industry, capital and higher education.
Community Connect
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Register NowTechPoint’s Next Chapter
After opening remarks from Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich and TechPoint’s Chelsea Linder, TechPoint President and CEO Eric Christopher will unveil TechPoint’s next chapter.
Christopher will then join Kristian Andersen of High Alpha, Justin Wojtowicz of Borshoff and Megan Casey Glover of Usalco for a conversation moderated by Sally Reasoner of TechPoint on Indiana’s tech future and what it will take to get there.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to continue that conversation through small-group reflections.

Conversations on Innovation, Enterprise Sales and Venture Capital
The morning will continue with a series of practical conversations focused on how startups, corporations and investors can work together.
Built in One Health
Corporate Innovation Strategies From Indiana’s Life Sciences Hub
Moderated by Christy Wright of AgriNovus Indiana, this session will explore how activity within the One Health Innovation District is driving innovation and creating new opportunities across Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem.
Inside the Deal
How Enterprise Really Decides to Buy
Moderated by Ginger Lippert of TechPoint and featuring Cory Wheeler of Zylo, this session will look at how enterprise deals with startups actually happen, including procurement, budget cycles, internal champions and what separates a yes from a no.
The CVC Playbook
Driving Innovation through Corporate and Venture Capital Partnerships
Moderated by Zac Darnell of SEP and featuring Jonathan Schalliol of HG Ventures, this session will explore how corporations use venture capital partnerships to support innovation and how founders can better engage with corporate venture teams.
Additional participants across the day are still being confirmed.
Venture Connect Brings Founders and Investors Together
Community Connect brings together founders, investors, corporate leaders and other decision-makers who can influence how companies grow in Indiana. Venture Connect creates a structured way for those connections to happen.
Beginning at 10 am, participating founders and investors will move into a series of curated, one-on-one meetings designed to create more relevant and efficient conversations.

Here’s how it works:
- Register: Founders and investors select the appropriate Venture Connect ticket when registering for Community Connect.
- Complete the follow-up form: TechPoint collects company and investor information for matching.
- Review the Look Book: Participants receive profiles of participating companies and investors.
- Submit preferences: Founders and investors identify who they most want to meet.
- Receive a schedule: TechPoint creates individualized meeting schedules.
- Meet on November 4: Participants take part in 20-minute conversations.
Venture Connect meetings will continue until 3 pm, after the main Community Connect program concludes.
Register for Venture Connect before October 1
Continuing the Community Connect Conversation
November will mark TechPoint’s third Community Connect of 2026.
Earlier this year:
- February: Community Connect explored AI readiness, early-career talent and the foundations organizations need to turn AI adoption into meaningful business value.
Read about early-career talent and AI readiness
Read the AI readiness imperatives recap - July: More than 250 people gathered for Building a Workforce AI Can’t Replace, exploring how AI is reshaping talent, work and workforce readiness.
Read the July Community Connect recap
November shifts the conversation toward the companies, capital and partnerships helping shape Indiana’s next chapter.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Community Connect is presented by Elanco and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC).
Additional support includes:
- Keynote Sponsor: Cummins
- Venture Connect Sponsor: Ice Miller
- Table Sponsors: Afidence, ANSA Solutions, Bearstone, eimagine and Ultimate Technologies Group
Additional table sponsorship opportunities are still available for organizations interested in connecting with founders, investors, corporate innovation leaders, higher education entrepreneurship teams and members of Indiana’s broader tech community.
Learn more about table sponsorship opportunities

Join us November 4
Community Connect: Built for What’s Next
Indiana’s Next Chapter in Companies, Capital and Community
Wednesday, November 4
9 am – 1 pm
Venture Connect meetings continue until 3 pm
Butler University
Atherton Union Reilly Room
704 W. Hampton Dr.
Indianapolis
Registration is open for founders, investors, corporate and innovation leaders, higher education entrepreneurship teams and members of Indiana’s broader tech community.