A year-long program pairing Indiana tech founders with a team of experienced mentors. Cohorts begin in January and July.
We’re looking for Indiana tech founders past the idea stage with at least one founder working full-time. We’re also looking for mentors who have founded, scaled or invested in tech companies.
To participate in the January cohort, you must apply by 12/15. Applications for the July cohort will open in the spring.
months of mentorship
mentors per founder
meeting a month, your agenda
cohorts a year, starting in January and July
No classroom, no demo day, no equity. Here’s how LIFT is different from other programs.
Get a year of focused, honest support on the one goal that moves your company forward.
Put what you learned building and scaling a company to work and support the next Indiana founder.
Founders and mentors apply separately.
Our team reviews applications and builds the cohort.
Founders give a quick pitch. Mentors and founders both say where they see a fit.
Get paired with a lead mentor and 1-2 additional supporting mentors.
You set the agenda. Your team helps you work it.
Keep growing with TechPoint, or come back for a later cohort as a mentor.
Founders at different stages share each cohort. Your mentors focus on what your company needs right now.
Idea validated on paper; not yet in market.
Start with Venture Support, then apply to LIFT once you're in the Build stage.
Start with Venture SupportMVP in development or just launched; pre-revenue or very early revenue.
Product-market fit signals emerging; revenue growing but not yet predictable.
Consistent growth; team of ~10–15+; systems becoming necessary.
Outgrown the early-stage definition. Transitions to an upgraded TechPoint membership and often returns as a mentor.
Put what you've learned to work for Indiana founders who are where you once were.
Apply as a MentorNot every path is a straight line. If your company pivots, your mentors help you re-validate the new direction before you push forward.
Meet the lead mentor for our January 2027 cohort.
Geoff has built and led customer service and sales teams from startup through acquisition, and has advised founders from day one. Now he helps Indiana founders hit their own goals.
Indiana startups will be accepted into the first cohort, supported by experienced mentors who can guide the way.
Indiana tech founders who are past the idea stage, have at least one founder working full-time and can clearly name the problem they solve and who they solve it for.
Still validating your idea? Start with Venture Support and apply to LIFT once you're in the Build stage.
Founders, early employees or operators who have built or scaled tech companies and bring deep expertise in areas like finance, fundraising, go-to-market or engineering.
LIFT runs for 12 months. Founders meet with their mentor team at least once a month and set the agenda for each meeting.
Matching starts at a mixer where founders give a quick pitch. Founders and mentors both share where they see a fit, and pairings follow from real conversations.
Cohorts start in January and July.
No. Every mentor agrees not to take equity in or invest in the companies they mentor.
No. LIFT is free for founders and mentors.
No. LIFT serves founders and mentors across Indiana. If you can commit to regular monthly meetings, you can be part of the program.
Founders told us they wanted more intentional, guided work than networking meetings alone. LIFT is built around that: a dedicated mentor team, monthly meetings with an agenda you set and a full year focused on moving your company to its next stage.
Founders may apply to the program again with a new annual goal or get involved as a mentor.
The first cohort begins January 2027. Apply by December 28.
