INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – – The Venture Club of Indiana has announced that the 15th Annual Innovation Showcase, will be held Thursday, July 13 at the Biltwell Event Center. The annual event, which celebrates Indiana venture companies and startup companies under the banner Where Capital Meets Innovation, will bring together investors, informative sessions, plus 20 Indiana startups that will pitch for thousands of dollars in prizes and the attention of potential investors.

The Innovation Showcase is a part of the two-day (IND)Venture Summit, which will also include TechPoint’s Venture Connect event and the Next Level Fund Summit, all at the Biltwell. Registration information here.

Innovation Showcase Chairperson Sandy Wilcox is pleased to announce this year’s keynote speaker is author and serial entrepreneur Mark Achler. A graduate of Purdue University, Achler has started three companies, managed three venture funds, and co-authored the book “Exit Right: How to Sell Your Startup, Maximize Return and Build Your Legacy.” Achler is the managing director of Math Venture Partners and an adjunct lecturer of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Northwestern University Kellogg school of Business.

The Showcase plans some deep, behind the scenes dives with these special sessions:

• A perspective on the State-of-the-State’s Business with Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers.

• The Road After the Showcase featuring 2022 Innovation Showcase winner Karen Wurster, CEO, Adipo Therapeutics and moderator Christopher “Toph” Day, CEO, Elevate Ventures.

• The Rest of the Story, an inside look at Scale Computing’s winding road to success with its CEO, Jeff Ready, and Don Aquilano, co-founder and partner, Allos Ventures.

• The Pivot, a panel of investors and entrepreneurs will debate the pros and cons of that seminal moment when a startup company breaks with its original focus and changes direction.

The Innovation Showcase’s crown jewel is its pitch competition, which is unique among the state’s innovation events in that all startup companies in the pitch competition are required to be founded and based in Indiana. This year, 20 startups have been nominated by Indiana venture capital firms for the honor of competing with the best of the best in tech and life sciences. There will be four rounds of pitches throughout the day, with winners announced at 5 p.m. A VIP networking reception will follow for investors, pitch presenters, sponsors, media, and other Innovation Showcase guests.

Sponsors of the 2023 Innovation Showcase include Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), Elevate Ventures, Barnes & Thornburg, 50 South Capital, TechPoint, Gener8tor, Allos Ventures, High Alpha, Hyde Park Ventures, Katz, Sapper & Miller, Purdue Innovates, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Sawmill Society, and VisionTech Angels.

Those with a passion for Indiana startups and venture capital are invited to attend Indiana’s premier event for investors and game-changing startup companies. Details on The Innovation Showcase and ticket information are available here. Ticket are on sale now> https://www.ventureclub.org/

For more information, contact Sandy Wilcox, sandy.wilcox144@gmail.com 317-508-8885.