Indiana launches new Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation to help small businesses

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana Gov. Mike Braun launched the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation today to support small businesses and drive economic growth in Indiana.

The new office aims to assist Main Street entrepreneurs in starting, growing, and scaling their businesses, with a focus on enhancing wage growth and creating new job opportunities across the state.

The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation will be led by Brian Schutt, an experienced entrepreneur and co-founder of Indianapolis-based Refinery46 and Homesense Heating and Cooling.

This initiative will take over certain entrepreneurship-focused functions from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, such as overseeing certified technology parks.

Braun outlined that the office’s primary directives are to increase the growth of small business, direct sources of funding, and direct policies.

In addition, the office will expand coordination with state agencies and state-funded entities. As well as focusing on rural communities, the office will develop programs for youth entrepreneurship.

The office will operate under the Department of Commerce.

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