Resources for Northwest Indiana Entrepreneurs, Startups, and Small Businesses
FUNDING
Community Investment Fund of Indiana
The Community Investment Fund of Indiana, Inc. (CIFI) provides development services and loans in qualified investment areas and to low income individuals that lack access to financial products or services throughout the state.
Regional Development Company
The RDC makes loans under the SBA 504 loan program to assist small business. The RDC processes, approves, closes and services all loans. Funding is arranged by the RDC through the Central Servicing Agent whom issues a bond. In all ways, the RDC is the direct lender for the SBA 504 loan program.
Michigan City Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund
$10,000 to $260,000 loans with proceeds allowable for used for new investments in capital assets and operating capital.
Pulaski County Revolving Loan Fund
Micro, Mini, and Regular Start-Up loans with proceeds allowable for used and new investments in capital assets and operating capital.
LaPorte County Revolving Loan Fund
A loan fund administered by NIRPC offering $10,000 to $200,000 loans to new and small businesses operating in La Porte County, preferably within the city limits of La Porte or Michigan City.
Accion
Micro, Start-Up, and Small Business loans up to $100,000
Bankable
Micro-loans and credit-builder loans to for-profit business owners and entrepreneurs who are in need of capital and are unable to secure funds from a traditional bank.
MENTORING
Northwest ISBDC
The Northwest ISBDC offers no-cost business counseling and resources to business owners and entrepreneurs looking to launch a business. The NW ISBDC team provides services throughout the 7-county NWI area and also offers small business workshops and access to numerous market research data bases.
Society of Innovators
The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest cultivates creativity and innovation as a growth strategy for economic development by developing, connecting and championing innovation in the Region. By honoring our most innovative people across the seven counties of northwest Indiana, we aim to create a fertile ground for innovation with a supportive, dynamic ecosystem.
SCORE
The Northwest Indiana SCORE Chapter provides free and confidential one-on-one business counseling. SCORE also conducts workshops for both start-up entrepreneurs and seasoned small business owners.
Indiana University Northwest Small Business Institute
The IUN School of Business Small Business Institute (SBI) provides customized consulting services to businesses and other organizations in northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland areas.
Purdue Northwest Commercialization and Manufacturing Excellence Center
The Center’s Commercialization component can assist in the “bringing to market” of new innovations and products. CMEC can assist with everything from concept to commercialization, and assist with the six stages of commercialization, including the following viability stages: concept, entrepreneurial, intellectual property, product, customer and finally, commercial manufacturing. The Center’s Manufacturing Excellence component serves as a valuable resource in product and prototype development, as well as advanced manufacturing opportunities and related training for manufacturing companies of all sizes.
Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
PTAC provides procurement technical assistance to help existing small businesses sell products or services to the appropriate government agency by offering confidential counseling services and workshops at no cost. The core of the procurement assistance program is counseling and education.
Center for Creative Solutions (CCS)
A non-profit organization based in Northwest Indiana offering management training for both businesses and individuals. Utilizing a broad pool of talented professional speakers, management training courses, team building tools and more, CCS can provide solutions to common organizational challenges.
Valparaiso University Innovation Hub
The Innovation Hub is an interdisciplinary center that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, bringing together members of both the Valparaiso University campus and Northwest Indiana.
ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen
The ArtHouse provides access to a commercial kitchen rental for local residents and emerging businesses, culinary business incubation program (CBI), rental space for events and meetings, a pop up café shaped by CBI participants and gallery/exhibition space.
Hammond HUB
Hammond Development Corp offers NextLevel start-up training and other classes as well as office space rental for new businesses.
Gary Micro Enterprise Initiative (GMI)
A free program of 8-week start-up classes for residents and business owners in City of Gary. The GMI's mission is to increase employment opportunities and achieve entrepreneurial growth in Gary through micro-enterprise development.
greenCOW PACE is an all-in-one learning platform and online community designed to equip, encourage, and support mission-driven entrepreneurs.
COWORK & OFFICE SPACE
Zoseco Coworking
A shared office space in Valparaiso for entrepreneurs, small teams, freelancers, & remote workers who love their work and want to grow.
Private and shared workspace in Hammond includes fully furnished, move-in ready offices, 24/7 secured access and high-speed internet. Other amenities include P.O. Box, VOIP phone and printing services, conference rooms, cafe and lounge with coffee and beverage and on-site IT assistance.
Spaces 505 offers co-working, private office and meeting spaces for entrepreneurs, small businesses, remote workers, creatives and more. Intentional design, warm hospitality, and flexible solutions enable professionals to do their best work in the heart of downtown Chesterton, IN.
Purdue Tech Center Studio Space
The Studio, shared working environment, or co-working space is a work environment where work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, people who travel frequently, people in small companies, entrepreneurs and others who typically work alone can come to work in an energizing and supportive environment.
PNW Commercialization and Manufacturing Excellence Center
Offers co-working space for start-ups and entrepreneurs in Hammond
INTELLECTUAL pROPERTY RESOURCES
Hartman Global LLP
An Intellectual Property Law firm in Valparaiso serving client needs for patent, trademark and copyright services and also offers regular Intellectual Property Clinics at Purdue Northwest