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.
greenCOW PACE is an all-in-one learning platform and online community designed to equip, encourage, and support mission-driven entrepreneurs.
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