BIC showcases leading-edge technology, raises money for Southwest Indiana STEAM education
January 15, 2018
NEWS RELEASE January 16, 2018 INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Battery Innovation Center (BIC), located in WestGate@Crane Technology Park, showcased leading-edge technology at the 2nd Annual BIC Stakeholder Luncheon. Elevate Ventures, an Indiana private venture development organization, joined Purdue@WestGate at the event benefitting science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM) education across Southwest Indiana. The event connected Indiana businesses with an interest in bringing technology and innovation in Indiana. “The companies featured at the luncheon demonstrate the ability to attract high growth technology to Southwest Indiana,” said Eric Steele, the Southwest Indiana entrepreneurial engagement director for Elevate Ventures. “Not only did the event spotlight innovative businesses, but it also supported funds to develop a workforce pipeline across the Hoosier state’s southwest region.” Jason Salstrom, director of Purdue@WestGate, was impressed by the technologies and innovation the BIC is bringing to southern Indiana. “I knew that the BIC was an incredible R&D asset, but the luncheon opened my eyes to the concentration of game-changing work being done there,” Salstrom said. “The BIC is the principal reason that world-class technology and energy companies are converging at WestGate@Crane Technology Park.” Many industry leaders presented at the luncheon, including Srikanth Padmanabhan, the vice president of Cummins Inc., Paige Johnson, founder and inventor at Ten-Nine Technologies; John McDonald, the CEO of Clear Object, and Cliff Beer, the CFO and general counsel at BrightVolt. About Elevate Ventures Elevate Ventures is a private venture development organization that nurtures and develops emerging and existing high-potential businesses into fast growth, Indiana-based companies. Elevate Ventures accomplishes this by providing access to capital, rigorous business analysis and robust advisory services that connect companies with the right mix of resources businesses need to succeed long term. To learn more about Elevate Ventures, its team and its funds under management, visit www.elevateventures.com About Purdue@WestGate Purdue@WestGate is an economic development accelerator formed by the partnership between WestGate Authority, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane), Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation. The Indiana-based collaboration combines strengths to advance educational, research and development and technology commercialization across Indiana and elsewhere. Purdue@WestGate offers tools for startups, entrepreneurial experts, programs, educational opportunities and workforce development to help southern Indiana businesses grow and thrive. For more information about the resources available to businesses, visit Purdue@WestGate.###
Writer: Sarah K. Miller, 812-863-2756, skmiller@prf.org
Sources: Eric Steele, 765-586-8420, esteele@elevateventures.com
Jason Salstrom, 812-483-0935, jdsalstrom@prf.org