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Indiana University

Bloomington, Indiana·University

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Pitch competitionsIncubatorVenture fund

At a glance

Indexed programs

11

11 currently active

Top direct funding

No direct cash prizes indexed

Equity

Mixed equity terms

Program mix

9

Pitch Competition · Entrepreneurship Center · Technology Transfer Office

Research verdict

Research in progress.

Programs to explore

Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.

11 programs indexed

Known startups and winners

Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.

See every startup

Anagin

Indiana University · IU Ventures

Faculty spinout

PTSD therapeutics developed from IU research; IU Ventures portfolio company.

Angie's List

Indiana University

Notable alumni outcome

Home-services review marketplace co-founded by Angie Hicks (Kelley); IPO 2011, later acquired by IAC.

Assembly Biosciences

Indiana University · IU Innovation & Commercialization Office

Faculty spinout

Hepatitis B (HBV) and antiviral therapeutics; IU faculty spinout, publicly traded (NASDAQ: ASMB).

Elevate

Indiana University · Cheng Wu Innovation Challenge

Competition winner

Facilities data analytics; 2023 Cheng Wu Innovation Challenge winner at Indiana University.

ExactTarget

Indiana University

Notable alumni outcome

Email/digital marketing platform founded by Scott Dorsey (Kelley); acquired by Salesforce for $2.5B (2013).

Formstack

Indiana University

Notable alumni outcome

Online form and workflow automation platform founded by Ade Olonoh (Kelley); bootstrapped to 200+ employees.

HotDrop

Indiana University · Shoebox Fund

Program portfolio

Music discovery app with 20K+ users; IU student venture backed by the Shoebox Fund.

Lessonly

Indiana University

Notable alumni outcome

Team training/enablement software founded by Max Yoder (Kelley); acquired by Seismic (2021).

MBX Biosciences

Indiana University · IU Ventures

Faculty spinout

Endocrine-disease therapeutics; IU-affiliated faculty spinout that completed a $163.2M IPO (October 2024). IU Ventures portfolio.

Natrion

Indiana University · Shoebox Fund

Program portfolio

Advanced EV battery components (solid-state electrolyte); IU student venture backed by the Shoebox Fund.

PilliPop

Indiana University · Clapp IDEA Competition

Competition winner

Student venture (Aspen Villas team); 2026 Clapp IDEA Competition winner at Indiana University.

Resonix

Indiana University · Cheng Wu Innovation Challenge

Competition winner

AI predictive-maintenance venture; 2026 Cheng Wu Innovation Challenge winner (Indiana University).

Stagetime

$210,000

prize won

Indiana University · IU Ventures

Program portfolio

Networking platform for performing artists; IU alumni venture that raised $210K+ via the IU Angel Network.

Taptic

Indiana University · Cheng Wu Innovation Challenge

Competition winner

2025 Cheng Wu Innovation Challenge winner at Indiana University.

The Bee Corp.

Indiana University

Student venture

Beehive monitoring technology for commercial pollination; student-founded IU venture.

Indiana University Bloomington is a major public AAU research university with approximately 47,000 students (35,000 undergraduate, 12,000 graduate/professional). Its entrepreneurship ecosystem is anchored by a multi-node structure: the **Kelley School of Business** (Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation — #7 US News undergrad entrepreneurship, #1 research globally), the **Luddy School of Informatics** (Shoemaker Innovation Center), and the university-wide **IU Innovates** initiative (launched Fall 2023). IU manages a sophisticated investment platform through **IU Ventures** ($50M Philanthropic Venture Fund goal, Angel Network) and a major biosciences commercialization initiative (**IU LAB**, $138M Lilly Endowment). Notable alumni founders include Scott Dorsey (ExactTarget, $2.5B Salesforce acquisition), Angie Hicks (Angie's List), and MBX Biosciences ($163M IPO).

Ecosystem Overview

  • Central hub: IU Innovates (Fall 2023) — university-wide initiative with Von Lee Entrepreneurship Center in Bloomington, multi-campus expansion (Indianapolis, Northwest, East, Kokomo, South Bend, Southeast); Julie Heath, Exec Director
  • Academic hub: Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Kelley School of Business — Donald Kuratko (Dr. K), #7 US News undergrad entrepreneurship, 2023 USASBE Model Program Award
  • Student incubation: Shoemaker Innovation Center (Luddy) + Von Lee Center (IU Innovates) — co-working, prototyping, mentorship
  • Pitch competitions: Cheng Wu Innovation Challenge ($30K), Clapp IDEA Competition (up to $35K), Connect Challenge ($2K), Jacobs School Innovation Competition
  • Venture education: Spine Sweat Experience (BUS-W409) — #1 entrepreneurship course in America (Inc. Magazine), 15-week venture accelerator
  • Venture fund: IU Ventures — Philanthropic Venture Fund ($50M goal, $11M committed, seed/Series A $300K-$3M), Angel Network, Founders & Funders Network
  • Student funding: Shoebox Fund ($5K non-dilutive grants), Shoebox incubation (now migrated to IU Innovates)
  • Tech transfer: ICO — 71 startups, $113M revenue, 2,675 disclosures/15 yrs; IU Inc. (2026, CEO David Rosenberg)
  • Biosciences: IU LAB — $138M Lilly Endowment, 5-story facility at 16 Tech Indianapolis (opening 2027)
  • Alumni VC: IU Angel Network, High Alpha (Indianapolis), Elevate Ventures

Known Startups

  • ExactTarget (Scott Dorsey, Kelley) — acquired by Salesforce for $2.5B
  • Angie's List (Angie Hicks, Kelley) — IPO, acquired by IAC
  • Formstack (Ade Olonoh, Kelley) — bootstrapped to 200+ employees
  • Lessonly (Max Yoder, Kelley) — acquired by Seismic
  • MBX Biosciences (faculty) — $163.2M IPO, October 2024
  • The Bee Corp. (student-founded) — beehive monitoring technology
  • Assembly Biosciences (faculty) — HBV therapeutics, publicly traded
  • Anagin (faculty) — PTSD therapeutics
  • HotDrop (student, Shoebox Fund) — music discovery app, 20K+ users
  • Natrion (student, Shoebox Fund) — EV battery components
  • Stagetime (alumni) — performing artists platform, $210K+ raised
  • Elevate (student, Cheng Wu winner 2023) — facilities data analytics
  • Resonix (student, Cheng Wu winner 2026) — AI predictive maintenance
  • Taptic (student, Cheng Wu winner 2025)
  • PilliPop (student, Clapp IDEA winner 2026) — Aspen Villas team

Assessment

Recommendation: Include Tier: 1 Confidence: High Key Factors: Comprehensive multi-node ecosystem anchored by Kelley School (#7 entrepreneurship, #1 research) and Luddy School; university-wide IU Innovates central hub (2023); Shoemaker Innovation Center + Von Lee incubation; multiple pitch competitions ($30K Cheng Wu, $35K Clapp IDEA); IU Ventures investment platform ($50M fund, Angel Network); strong tech transfer (71 startups, $113M); major biosciences accelerator ($138M IU LAB); top-ranked Spine Sweat course; exceptional alumni founder outcomes (ExactTarget, Angie's List, MBX Biosciences); multi-campus expansion across 9 IU campuses

News & articles

7 news articles and official sources documenting entrepreneurship programs, winners, and activity at Indiana University.

7 sources

Official sources(7)

This profile lists 11 programs for Indiana University. Some details may be outdated until a director verifies them.

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