Sprint Week Intro

Sprint Week is a fun, week-long, team innovation challenge. At this kick-off for participants, we’ll present the Challenge, designed by our sponsor MetroStar. Teams will have one week to come up with an innovative solution, which they’ll pitch on Friday. A panel of distinguished Indiana founders, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and our lead sponsors will name the winner of Sprint Week! Want to be a part of it? Bring your own team or join one at The Mill.

FIRESIDE CHAT WITH METROSTAR CEO ALI REZA MANOUCHEHRI

Enjoy a casual conversation about entrepreneurship and becoming the CEO of a leading tech company. MetroStar works in AI, cybersecurity, human-centered design, and enterprise IT across the federal government. Hear about how Ali and his friends grew MetroStar from a George Mason dorm room to a business with more than 300 employees. Entrepreneur-in-Residence Cy Megnin will be interviewing Ali. Free boxed lunches will be provided. 

Community Innovation Awards Gala

The Community Innovation Awards celebrate and publicize our community’s business successes. Our accomplishments are amplified and encouraged when acknowledged before our colleagues and friends. The Best Places to Work Awards recognize the area’s best employers and provide organizations with valuable employee feedback. The Fast 15 Awards recognize the MVP employees who drive innovation at our companies. The FUSE Business Innovation Awards recognize the accomplishments of companies and individuals in Bloomington’s thriving tech scene.

This event is invitation-only for award nominees and their guests. 

Ada Lovelace Day Lunch & Panel

Help Bloomington recognize one of history’s overlooked champions by celebrating Ada Lovelace Day with us! Ada Lovelace Day is an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Founded in 2009, it is now held every year on the second Tuesday of October.

On Tuesday, October 12, Bloomington is celebrating its third annual Ada Lovelace Day Celebration, with a special focus on how the arts relate to STEM (commonly referred to as “STEAM”). Cardinal Stage and The Dimension Mill are teaming up for this special event! Join us for a free lunchtime discussion panel and celebration of the world’s first computer programmer.

Unleash the True Value of Your Data

This panel presentation will focus on the importance of visual analytics and how understanding your data influences crucial decisions in today’s world. Three individuals who have participated in the Visual Analytics Certificate (VAC) course, developed by the Cyberinfrastructure for Network Science Center (CNS) at the Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, will share how they developed skills to access insights to data and how that has influenced their work. Panel presenters include:

• Devta Kidd, Director of Innovation, Office of Innovation, City of Bloomington, IN
• Jonathan M. Dilger, Ph.D., Director of Research, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), Crane, IN
• Leah Scherschel, Research Analyst, Cyberinfrastructure for Network Science Center at The Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, Bloomington, IN

Moderator: Andreas “Andi” Bueckle, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Cyberinfrastructure for Network Science Center, at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, Bloomington, IN

ELEVATE HAPPY HOUR

Join Elevate Ventures and Velocities for an October Ecosystem Happy Hour to network with local and regional resources. 

Crossroads Pitch Competition Finals

The top four highest-scoring startups from the semi-finals of the Crossroads Pitch Competition will compete for $10,000 in cash and a sweet package of in-kind services!

Nurturing a Culture of Innovation

What are the elements needed to nurture a culture of innovation? How do you know when you are “there”? Follow the journey of the City of Bloomington on one of their three areas of focus for innovation— “Nurturing a Culture of Innovation”—in this part-narrative, part-panel discussion.

BEDC Opportunity Expo & Job Fair

Join the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation at The Mill for an Opportunity Expo. The Opportunity Expo is a career event for professionals and students looking for opportunities to network and work in Bloomington, Ellettsville, and Monroe County. A variety of life sciences and technology businesses will share more about their companies, the impact they have on Bloomington and Monroe County, and available job opportunities.

Swag bag for registered attendees! Recent grads: check out Ivy Tech’s session on turning your degree into a compelling resumé. Employers interested in exhibiting can contact Stacie Marotta at the BEDC.

MONTHLY Maker Café

Join Dream Technician Andrew Woodard and the Uplands Maker Mobile to explore 3D printing, laser cutting, and more. Come create with us! No reservation, registration, or long time commitment needed. Pop in, see how it works, pop out.

Lean Startup Panel Discussion

The concept of “lean startup,” popularized by Eric Ries, is a way to look at process improvement with a focus on new products, new processes, new businesses, new ideas, new markets. This panel discussion will feature founders from The Mill:

• Ansley Fender, founder of Atlas Solutions
• Geng Wang, founder of Civic Champs
• Jeff Wuslich, co-founder of Cardinal Spirits

The panel will be moderated by Elise Young, gBETA Bloomington Manager.

SPRINT WEEK DEMO NIGHT

Sprint Week is a fun, week-long, team innovation challenge. At this wrap-up event, teams will present their solutions to the 2021 Challenge.  A panel of distinguished Indiana founders, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and our lead sponsor MetroStar will name the winner of Sprint Week!