Launched in Fall 2023, IU Innovates is a university-wide initiative to advance Indiana University entrepreneurs through startup incubation hubs, sponsorship of entrepreneurship resources, and impact storytelling.
Core to IU’s strategic plan 2030 pillars of student success, transformative research and creativity, and service to the state and beyond, IU Innovates ensures entrepreneurs know where to start, and continually access the right resource at the right time.
At our Entrepreneurship Center in the heart of Bloomington, Indiana — 517 E Kirkwood Avenue on floors 2 & 3 — we aim to create a startup community built on helping each other. We understand starting a business can seem like a monstrous task but with the:
... we make that next step in the journey easier.
The IU Innovates Student Startup Showcase is where IU's next generation of entrepreneurs take the stage, showcasing bold ideas being built across Indiana University. It is where founders, funders and a community of Hoosiers come together to connect, support and help each other grow.
The IU Indianapolis startup hub launched in March 2026 at Hine Hall. Please contact Anna Dorris, IU Indianapolis Entrepreneurship Program Manager, for more information.
If you are interested in entrepreneurship at IU Northwest, stop by Dunes Room 1128 on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Community membership is available to undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff at Indiana University.
Click here to learn more about IU Innovates Northwest.
We take an entrepreneurship ecosystem approach. This means we account for all entrepreneurs and those who support them. We build on strengths, highlight impact, and connect people to each other. The foundation of our activities is a culture of helping each other.
“Shape Green provides a youth environmental education lesson plan that includes supplemental activities for teachers to use in the classroom.
I am aiding the growing necessity for interactive youth environmental education as well as teachers not having enough time to make the lesson plans themselves.” —Sharayu Deo
“Scent Seal is a patent-pending fragrance applicator that makes any scent last longer and be more noticeable. We solve the problem of fragrance fading too quickly, preventing consumers from overspraying and wasting fragrance.” —Nabeel Rabie
Being around like-minded, goal-oriented entrepreneurs encourages me to keep pursuing my startup.
Naomi Mekkonen, Creative Entrepreneur
IU Innovates interns spent the summer building their businesses and startups while gaining hands-on experience. Along the way, they received personalized support and guidance across every area of entrepreneurship through IU Innovates.
Jun 8, 2026
Aspen Villas was among several IU Innovates affiliates who presented businesses at the IU Founders and Funders Network Venture Summit.
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Sep 29, 2025
After successfully launching a startup that began during her time as an IU Indianapolis student, Anna Dorris is now fostering the next generation of students at IU Indianapolis.
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Apr 17, 2026
Sisters Nikki and Kaitlin Pet are collaborating on a startup called PetsAloud, a venture that will expand creative possibilities for musicians by blending artificial intelligence, music and visual arts.
Read moreIU Innovates advances IU’s commitment to strengthening the spirit, mindset, and skill set of entrepreneurship.
Gifts to this fund provide broad, flexible support for IU Innovates: a university-wide initiative that expands support for IU’s aspiring entrepreneurs. Students, faculty, and staff who wish to start companies, commercialize innovation, and/or explore entrepreneurship activities can turn to IU Innovates to access the programs, people, departments, and resources that will help them create and grow their startup ventures.
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