The Indianapolis region is leading a tech transformation in the Midwest. The world is recognizing that Indy’s fast-growing tech ecosystem is made for high-speed innovation.

Indianapolis has been ranked one of the best cities to start a tech business as well as one of the best cities for women in tech. From startups to scale-ups, Indiana has the highest tech job growth rate in small firms—one of only three states to increase the number of jobs in firms smaller than 50 employees. So, whether you’re an ambitious new entrepreneur or an experienced tech professional, the Indianapolis region is a place where you can make an impact in the industry.

As the “Crossroads of America,” Indiana offers a myriad of professional opportunities in ecommerce and transportation by airway and highway.

According the IEDC, $650 billion in goods moves through Indiana each year. Indiana has the only statewide international port system, which offers access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico through the Great Lakes and the Ohio-Mississippi Rivers. Additionally, Indiana ranks fourth in freight railroads nationally, and ranks first in pass-through highways. 

According to Forbes Advisor, Indiana ranks as one of the top states for entrepreneurs due to its “business-friendly climate and wide availability of resources for business owners”.

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As of July of 2022, Indiana’s corporate income tax is 4.9% - which according to Tax Foundation is the third lowest corporate income tax rate among states that levy the tax. Essentially, Indiana makes it easy to build a business.

Indiana is home to some of the largest natural gas and petroleum companies in the world. It’s no wonder that the energy sector is so big here, we need to assure affordable and reliable energy to keep up with the economy.

The clean energy industry expects continued growth in Indiana after jobs grew 7% in 2021. Clean energy jobs include increased benefits after federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, and remain in high priority as the climate crisis continues.

Since 1980, Indiana has hosted more than 500 national and international sporting events, ranging from Super Bowl XLVI to the 1987 Pan American Games. Thousands of die-hard fans cheer on teams like the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers each year. And every May, the world turns to Indiana for The Indianapolis 500—the largest single-day sporting event in history.

Indiana’s low cost of living encourages working remotely rather than moving to an expensive city to work in the office.

The Mill in Bloomington is a space reserved specifically for remote workers and startups. They offer membership plans to work around your personal work schedule and special resources for entrepreneurs. There are tons of spaces like The Mill all over Indiana!

According to the Indiana Economic Development Corp (IEDC), Indiana is the second largest exporter of life sciences products in the U.S. In the life science and pharmaceutical research fields, there are many opportunities to transform research and manufacturing.

Pharmaceutical companies scatter around all regions of Indiana, but a small hub exists in Indianapolis, where Apotex and Elanco house their headquarters. 

Manufacturing is the largest industry in Indiana according to the 2022 Forbes ranking. Manufacturing industry sectors include automotive, pharmaceutical, medical equipment, aerospace and steelmaking. 

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For leaders looking to make strides in the manufacturing space, Indiana offers a supportive environment with benefits for employees and companies in equal measures. It’s one of the reasons Indiana has the second largest automotive industry in the U.S., and we invite you to bring your disruptive, savvy business plans to Indiana and let us help you reach your biggest, most ambitious advanced manufacturing goals. 

Indiana’s automotive companies contribute more than $15 billion to the state’s gross domestic product each year – second highest in the nation. More than 100,000 Hoosiers are employed by the industry – 459 percent more than the national average – and the number of automotive jobs available for Hoosier workers has grown by 40 percent since 2009.

Indiana ranks third in the nation for car and truck production.

According to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, 80% of land in Indiana is devoted to farms, forest and woodlands. While technology continues to push boundaries in how we develop our agricultural industry, people are the top priority to keep the business on top.

When thinking of Indiana agriculture, most people gravitate toward vast fields of corn and soybeans. And while those crops are extremely important to the state, Indiana has earned its spot in top national rankings for several other commodities. The Hoosier State ranks ninth nationally in total agricultural production and in the top five for crop production.