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The campus field guide

Indiana University

Bloomington, Indiana·University
Explore 11 programs ↓Campus website ↗

At a glance

Indexed programs

11

All currently active

Top direct funding

No direct cash prizes indexed

Equity

Mixed equity terms

Program mix

9

Pitch Competition · Entrepreneurship Center · Technology Transfer Office

Programs to explore

Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.

11 programs indexed

Startups

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  • Anagin

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

  • Angie's List

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

  • Assembly Biosciences

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

  • Elevate

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

  • ExactTarget

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

  • Formstack

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

  • HotDrop

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

  • Lessonly

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

  • MBX Biosciences

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

  • Natrion

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

  • PilliPop

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

  • Resonix

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

  • Stagetime

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

  • Taptic

    2025 Cheng Wu Innovation Challenge winner at Indiana University.

  • The Bee Corp.

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

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More about this ecosystem

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

News & articles

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University pages(7)

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