Crowfly founders Nickolai Christiansen and Jacqui Peterschmidt pose for a photo at the 2026 Mira Awards.

Two Sides of the Same Problem: How Crowfly Was Built

Crowfly founders Jacqui Peterschmidt and Nickolai Christiansen are building a field service platform for solo and small providers, shaped by customer feedback and their own experiences on both sides of the problem.
Seven members of the Lemhi team pose together, with several wearing Lemhi-branded shirts and hats.

After 15 Years Working With Founders, Tim Hickle Became One

After 15 years helping other startups grow, Tim Hickle became a founder himself. He shares what led to Lemhi, what he had to unlearn and what changed when he stepped into the founder role.
Akilah Darden, founder of The Darden Group LLC, speaks during an interview in front of a Mira Awards backdrop.

“It’s Always Impossible Until It’s Done”: Akilah Darden’s Case for Resilience

Akilah Darden turned a career in construction leadership into a platform for mentorship, supplier development and measurable opportunity across Indiana.
Four people wearing CCOM conference badges pose with a silver Butler bulldog statue inscribed with communication-related fields.

Founder’s College: Butler’s Bet on Technology and First-Generation Students  

Founder's College, a 2026 Mira Awards finalist, uses technology like iQ4 and Professor Fiona to remove barriers for first-generation Indiana students.
Community Connect signage stands inside the NCAA Hall of Champions beside a display featuring collegiate athletics logos.

How AI Is Reshaping Talent and Work: Highlights from Community Connect

More than 250 members of Indiana’s tech community gathered at Community Connect to explore how AI is changing work, the skills employers need and how emerging talent can strengthen Indiana’s innovation economy.
A large group of Orr fellows gather indoors, holding an Orr Fellowship banner.

How the Orr Fellowship Keeps Indiana’s Talent Home 

Orr Fellowship is helping Indiana retain emerging talent by connecting high-achieving graduates with local employers and using AI to strengthen recruitment, candidate matching and long-term engagement.
Nick Fishel stands with family at son's high school graduation.

One Opportunity at a Time: Nick Fishel’s Journey to Computer Science

Nick Fishel never planned to become a computer science teacher. Now a Mira Awards finalist for Nextech CS Teacher of the Year 2026, he shares how a winding path from the private sector to the classroom led him to build a program at Hamilton Southeastern High School, and why staying curious matters more than having all the answers.

Xterns Talk AI and Career Skills at TechPoint’s Second Programming Weekend

TechPoint's 2026 Xterns explored AI and the future of work at their second programming weekend, hosted by Republic Airways in Carmel.