Innovation

Azara Energy co-founder Michael Zwach is building thermal-monitored electrical infrastructure designed to catch failures before they become dangerous, starting with EV charging and other high-power applications.

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.

A growing creative services firm was already experimenting with AI across teams, but without a shared framework for managing risk, client trust or data sensitivity. GadellNet Consulting Services helped the company build a practical governance approach that supported continued experimentation while adding clearer policies, accountability and training.

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.

The 2026 Ivy Tech IT Challenge will connect students and Indiana employers through real-world challenges, cross-campus teamwork and career development.