Search Results for Innovation connector

It takes a lot of energy drinks to stay up and think for 24 hours straight. Photo courtesy of Brandi Lambertson

Business April 11, 2019

Students Spend 24 Hour Marathon Session “Problem Solving for Muncie”

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—A  group of Ball State students spent 24 hours straight coming up with creative ideas on how to help the Muncie community. The event was titled the Cardinal Hackathon and was hosted by Ball State’s Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO), and held at the Innovation Connector from 7pm Friday, March 22nd to 7am Saturday, March 23rd. (24 continuous hours.) Krystal Geyer, assistant director of Ball State’s Entrepreneurship Center is the faculty advisor for CEO. Ted Baker, executive director of…

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From the "Handwritten Collection." Photo by: Mary Wilhoite

Winter Readiness April 11, 2019

Heidi J. Hale Designs: Personalized, Handcrafted Jewelry

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—There’s no better gift to give a loved one than a beautiful Heidi J Hale piece of custom, handcrafted jewelry. Every piece of Heidi J Hale jewelry is designed and handcrafted by an army of thirty skilled metalsmiths, artisans, and craftspeople from their downtown Muncie location. Even though they operate from Muncie, with their popular online store, Heidi J Hale Designs is a global operation. As of this writing, the Heidi J Hale Facebook page has amassed…

Lindsey and Andy Markelz. Photo provided.

Business February 26, 2019

BIG Idea Pitch Winners Moving Forward With Their Award Winning Product

By: Alexis Dishman— Muncie, IN—In October of 2018, Lindsey and Andy Markelz pitched in front of a panel of judges in the BIG Idea Pitch Competition. Out of 40 participants, Lindsey and Andy Markelz were in the top five winners who moved on to the Excellence in Innovation Awards where they presented once more. But this time in front of over 350 people! The Markelz pitched their invention; the Collar Keeper. The Collar Keeper (patent pending) is a pure invention…

Candidates of the Future is set for Saturday November 10th, 9am-4pm at the Innovation Connector. Photo provided

Non-Profit October 17, 2018

“Candidates Of the Future” Returns

By: Aimee Robertson-Fant, Organizer, Muncie Action Plan/Muncie Neighborhoods, Co-Founder, Muncie Matters Muncie, IN—Last year a full house of active East Central Indiana citizens from all walks of life interested in affecting change in their communities attended the inaugural “Candidates of the Future”—a collaboration between Ball State University’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs, Shafer Leadership Academy, Building Better Neighborhoods/Muncie Action Plan which is a grassroots, deeply-inclusive and one-of-a-kind-to-the-community workshop, rooted in the belief that everyday citizens can lead and run for local office. “We completely underestimated the…

The Daleville Community Library was one of 13 non-profits to receive 3rd Quarter Competitive Grant funding from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County. Photo provided.

Non-Profit August 27, 2018

13 Delaware County Non-Profits Receive More Than $100k From Community Foundation

By: Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, IN— The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded $102,282 to 13 non-profit organizations during the third Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2018. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County for this generation and generations to come. Quarterly Competitive Grants are awarded to fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas of interest: arts and culture, human…

Peggy Cenova is pictured in her office inside the Innovation Connector. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business August 14, 2018

Meet Peggy Cenova, Regional Director of the ECI Small Business Development Center

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN— If you’ve been involved in the “entrepreneurial ecosystem” around Muncie and East Central Indiana, then you’ve probably had the opportunity to hear or meet Peggy Cenova. Because she’s seemingly everywhere. Cenova is the regional director of the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (ECI-SBDC.) The ECI-SBDC offers no cost business advising services to business owners, start-ups and anyone considering a new business venture.  The ECI-SBDC is headquartered at the Innovation Connector in Muncie, and serves…

The back of Storer Elementary. The parking lot will also be removed. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government August 3, 2018

Mayor Tyler Discusses Storer Elementary Plans With Neighborhood Group

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie IN—Mayor Dennis Tyler met with about 100 residents of the Westbrier neighborhood group on Tuesday to explain and answer questions about the city’s plans for the Storer Elementary property. The meeting was held at Riverside Avenue Baptist Church. Muncie City Council members Brad Polk and Dan Ridenour were also in attendance. The school is scheduled to be demolished by September of 2018. The building and foundation will be removed, according to Mayor Tyler, in addition to…

Ted Baker, executive director of the Innovation Connector in Muncie. Photo provided.

Business July 3, 2018

IC Executive Director Ted Baker Re-Elected to the InBIA Board of Directors 

By: Sheena Peters— Orlando, FL– The International Business Innovation Association (InBIA), an international non-profit organization and global advocate for entrepreneur-driven economic ecosystems, recently completed its board elections and five board members were elected to three year terms. Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. has been re-elected to serve a second term. An InBIA member since 2010, Ted Baker is in his eighth year with the Innovation Connector, a technology incubator and coworking space in Muncie, IN….

This is a picture Dale Pickett took of me, while I was taking a similar picture of him! Photo by: Dale Pickett Photography

Opinion July 1, 2018

Opinion: Reflections on Muncie Journal Turning 3 Years Old Today

By: Mike Rhodes, Publisher and Managing Editor, MuncieJournal.com— Muncie, IN—It’s official. Today is Muncie Journal’s 3rd birthday. Or anniversary. Wow. Where did the time go? (That can be answered by the photos that appear at the bottom of this story.) Three years ago today, I got up at 4:30 am, and with a queasy, nauseous feeling in my gut, took a deep breath and approached my computer. Specifically, my computer’s mouse. I stared at that mouse for a while, then…

Whitinger Strategic Services at the 2018 East Central Indiana American Advertising Awards. Photo provided.

Business April 3, 2018

Whitinger Strategic Services Earns Multiple Awards for Creative Excellence

By: Sheena Peters— Muncie, IN—Whitinger Strategic Services’ design work was recognized at the 2018 East Central Indiana American Advertising Awards Ceremony. The company was honored with three Gold Addy Awards and one Silver Addy. Strategic Services was well represented in multiple categories this year. The first Addy Award of the evening was presented to Whitinger Strategic in the category Sales & Marketing Promotion for their work for Kiddo Keepsakes. In the fall of 2017, WSS completed a full identity and branding…