INDIANAPOLIS — TechPoint, the IDEA Center at the University of Notre Dame and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) today announced the first expansion of the South Bend-Elkhart area’s successful annual IDEA Week to the Indianapolis area.

The North Central Indiana regional week-long event, which was launched in 2018, is an innovation festival hosting business, technology and entertainment events with the purpose of providing entrepreneurs, students and attendees with the practical knowledge, creative inspiration and social foundation they need to innovate within their own careers, studies and communities.

The original IDEA Week is run by the IDEA Center at the University of Notre Dame and over a dozen businesses and community organizations in the South Bend-Elkhart region. Last year, IDEA Week officials added TechPoint’s Mira Awards gala to events they promoted, calling it a capstone to the week.

This year, TechPoint is hosting its own independently run IDEA Week in the Indianapolis area. It will take place April 20 to April 26. Notre Dame’s and the South Bend-Elkhart region’s IDEA Week will take place April 24 to 26 in South Bend and on Notre Dame’s campus.

“As we seek to widen our support for tech entrepreneurs and companies to all four corners of the state, we are pleased to do more with IDEA Week this year,” said TechPoint President and CEO Ting Gootee. “We’re grateful for the IEDC’s partnership and its plans to put its own stamp on IDEA Week-Mira activities in Indianapolis.”

Kelley Rich, interim vice president and associate provost for innovation at the IDEA Center at the University of Notre Dame, said the 2023 experience proved the value of celebrating Indiana innovation together.

“Collaboration is a Hoosier hallmark,” Rich said. “We know we get farther when we work together and celebrate others’ successes.”

David Watkins, senior vice president of entrepreneurship and small business at the IEDC, said bringing the two celebrations together is great for those within Indiana’s tech community, but it also makes great economic sense for Indiana.

“Tech drives, or significantly contributes to every company in this state, and anytime we can showcase innovations and leadership within the tech ecosystem, we heighten Indiana’s national brand as well,” he said. “We’d love to see even more regional involvement in the coming years.”

Gootee is actively encouraging others to leverage TechPoint’s annual event for their own networking efforts. “The Mira Awards gala is a terrific opportunity for anyone wanting to break into the Indiana tech ecosystem, to increase their brand awareness, to network and to learn,” she said. “Could it one day be a week-long celebration like IDEA Week? We certainly think so.”

Celebrating its 25th year, the 2024 Mira Awards gala expects to double attendance and bring more than 2,000 people to the Friday, April 26 event at the Old National Center.

“We anticipate a number of after parties where our ecosystem members will network and celebrate winners, but it doesn’t have to end there,” Gootee said. “Lots of people spend the night in downtown hotels, so why not plan events before the big night, or breakfast or brunch gatherings afterward, as well? There’s no end to how we can celebrate Indiana tech.”

All of the events, whether the ones run by TechPoint in Indianapolis or the ones run by the IDEA Week team in South Bend, are open to the public. The Mira Awards gala is a ticketed event in Indianapolis.

The TechPoint Mira Awards gala is part of a seasonal celebration that extends beyond the gala where 18 awards will be bestowed, honoring the “Best of Tech” in Indiana.

The current list of Indianapolis events leading up to the Mira Awards gala include the following and is expected to grow:

April 20: AI Hackathon, hosted by the Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering

April 23: IBJ Life Sciences Power Breakfast

April 23: The Economic Club of Indiana Luncheon

April 23: Indiana CIO Network Breakfast

April 23: Mira Awards Nominee Dinner (private)

April 25: Tech 25 Reception

April 25: Indiana Founders Network Breakfast

April 26: Mira Awards Gala & Afterparty

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About TechPoint: TechPoint, is the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership’s industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s digital innovation economy and overall tech ecosystem. The team is focused on working with public, private and industry partners to expand tech talent pipeline, enhance resource connectivity for enterprise organizations and startups alike, and elevate the industry by activating the community and amplifying stories of success. For more information, please visit www.techpoint.org.  Media contact: Cheryl Reed: cheryl@techpoint.org

About IEDC: The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is charged with growing the State economy, driving economic development, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 14-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit iedc.in.gov.

About the IDEA Center: The IDEA Center is the University of Notre Dame’s collaborative innovation hub dedicated to expanding the technological and societal impact of the University’s innovations. Learn more: https://ideacenter.nd.edu/