INDIANAPOLIS — In the first of a number of new ventures encouraging entrepreneurship, the IU Kelley School of Business Indianapolis is proud to support new business owners on the city’s near-west side.
Kelley Indianapolis will sponsor the first pitch competition at a new hub for entrepreneurs in the downtown Near West/River West area, located just west of the IUPUI campus across the White River.
The goal of Great Places 2020 is to support growth and development in five neighborhoods across Indianapolis. This particular neighborhood initiative is called River West Great Place initiative.
IUPUI is the founding partner and fiscal agent for this venture — SOURCE River West.
As part of the open house and SOURCE River West kick-off on Wednesday, December 14, current and aspiring business owners shared their ideas in the hopes of winning a $2,000 prize. Kelley Indianapolis Associate Dean of Academic Programs Phil Powell served as one of the judges for the pitch competition.
“We want to be part of those neighborhoods, and we want to help increase peoples’ job opportunities and incomes. The best way to do that is to help near-west side residents start their own businesses or, if they’re entrepreneurs already, to help their businesses be successful,” added Powell.
Powell says the Kelley School hopes this will be the beginning of a long-term relationship with SOURCE River West.
“The Kelley School in Indianapolis can bring unique value and a new vision to these entrepreneurs,” said Powell. “Successful business requires discipline. It requires removal of emotion from your management decisions, acceptance of limitations on what you can achieve and recognition of new opportunities where you can push the business forward.”
Contact: Teresa Mackin, 317-274-2233, tmackin@iu.edu, @KelleyIndy