The Innovation Center is vigilant in fostering the educational element of our economic development charter. Our approach is to provide learning in a collaborative experiential setting, where entrepreneurs and students alike learn while productively engaged in a venture. We offer internship opportunities, applied and service project-based learning, and classroom to venture “hands- on” training. In this way we directly link our educational and economic development imperatives. The Innovation Center collaborates with all area universities. Following are just a few examples. Our facility houses Taylor University’s MBA program and an IPFW RFID research lab. We and our clients employ interns year-round from local universities – recent interns have come from Indiana Tech, IPFW, and Taylor University. Huntington University houses one of our regional nodes.
The Innovation Center is dedicated to creating opportunities for community leadership and involvement in driving economic growth and community vitality in Northeast Indiana. We focus on individual empowerment, community enterprise, educational outreach and regional transformation.
Drawing upon quality research, collaborative regional models, and best practices worldwide, the Innovation Center serves as:
- A Gateway to People, Resources, and Infrastructure
The Innovation Center enables entrepreneurs and businesses to network with researchers, community leaders, investors, and other entrepreneurs. It also provides shared services, business coaching, and technical assistance to new ventures. Furthermore, it supports the growth and success of these ventures by connecting them with existing community assets such as local universities, established businesses, nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies.
- A Catalyst for the Creation and Retention of Technology Businesses and Assets
The Innovation Center promotes and supports the creation and development of new technologies, improved growth and competitiveness for existing businesses and industry, and strengthens the ethos of entrepreneurship within the region. We believe that innovation is critical to the creation of high-paying jobs and a higher quality of life.
- A Bridge to a New Community Climate and Spirit of Entrepreneurship
The Innovation Center leads the effort to transform community attitudes by enlisting the involvement of businesses, educators, and public officials in providing incentives, mentorship, comprehensive business assistance, and on demand, life long learning opportunities for entrepreneurs. Through the efforts of the Innovation Center and its community partners, Northeast Indiana will become a beacon of innovation and growth that attracts nascent, emerging, and established tech-based firms, inventors and investors. Prospective entrepreneurs will know that they have the full support and encouragement of the community empowering them to quickly respond to opportunities. In the end, ventures in our Region will be strengthened, more competitive, and will higher quality, higher wage, and higher knowledge jobs.