gBETA Bragbox Breakfast

Kick off Innovation Week by indulging in a breakfast bar with gBETA at our Event Hall to celebrate our vibrant entrepreneurial community and honor the incredible achievements of startup founders. Be inspired as we present the prestigious FUSE Innovation Awards, and join us in fostering a culture of innovation and creativity.

COLLIDE

Collide, The Mill’s signature event hosted by Pat East, returns to celebrate startups and innovation. This exciting gathering features networking opportunities, fireside chat with a founder and a panel, and an engaging audience Q&A. Join us at Collide to immerse yourself in the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and cutting-edge ideas. Panel guests include John Fernandez, Kerry Thomson, Julie Heath, and Ravi Bhatt.

Special thanks to Chef’s Table Catering for making this event delicious.

STARTedUP Foundation Innovation Bootcamp

An Innovation Workshop teaches students to view problems as opportunities. The day will begin at 9 am with STARTedUP outlining what it means to think with an entrepreneurial mindset, then the City of Bloomington will present a challenge. Starting at 11, students will present their solutions, receive feedback from mentors, and  brainstorm how to turn their solutions into a business. 

This event is open to all who believe in the power of innovation and entrepreneurship! Invitees have the option to observe during the event or participate as a mentor for the high school students. The action starts at 11 am and includes lunch!

CROSSROADS PITCH COMPETITION FALL FINALS

Great startup stories start at Crossroads Pitch Competition. Join us to watch some of Indiana’s most promising startups pitch to win investment from Flywheel Fund! Pre-seed finalists will pitch for $10,000 in the Classroom; seed finalists will pitch for $20,000 in the Event Hall. Get ready to be surprised, intrigued, and impressed by their innovative companies.

Thank you to our spotlight sponsor, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, for supporting Hoosier entrepreneurs!

ANGEL INVESTING 101 PANEL

Interested in delving into the world of angel investing? Join us in the Classroom after Crossroads for an informative session on making successful early-stage startup investments. Our esteemed panel of experts will share invaluable insights and strategies. Seats are limited, so please register to ensure your spot!

Community Innovation Awards Gala

The Community Innovation Awards showcase our community’s business stars. The Best Places to Work Awards recognize the area’s best employers. The Fast 15 Awards recognize the MVP employees who drive innovation at our companies. We’ll announce the winners and celebrate their success!

Special thanks to our friends at Techpoint for sponsoring!

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

IU IDEA TO STARTUP PITCH COMPETITION

Join us as IU faculty, students, and staff dazzle with their early-stage startup ideas and gain invaluable insights from a panel of seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and judges. Cutting-edge pitches will compete for $30,000 in prizes (!!!), courtesy of IU Research and the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office (ICO).

Thank you to our friends at Gables Bagels and Parlor Doughnuts for providing delicious nibbles!

Innovation + Process Improvement for Remote Work: UPLANDS LEAN NETWORK

The Uplands Lean Network will hold a panel discussion and workshop on LEAN processes and innovation around remote work. This event is open to the public, including Uplands Lean Network members, LEAN practitioners, and anyone curious about LEAN methods and process improvement. Refreshments will be served!

SPARK SPEED PITCH

Can you win $500 in two minutes? More importantly, could your startup benefit from a 1:1 personalized business counseling session with a financial expert? The Spark Speed Pitch Competition is the ticket!

Take three steps: 1) Apply by uploading your executive summary by September 28. 2) Meet with a rep from our awesome sponsor, German American Bank (we’ll connect you after you apply). You’ll get personalized financial insights on your business plan, accepting payment, insurance, business credit. 3) If you’re selected as one of our 10 speed pitch competititors, give a 2-minute pitch (pitch deck optional) on October 5. A small panel of judges, including a rep from German American, will award a $500 cash prize to the most innovative idea.  Questions? Talk to Andy.

Thanks to our friends at German American for their sponsorship support of entrepreneurs, and Rainbow Bakery for providing delicious sustenance!

TECH CENTER CEREMONIAL GROUNDBREAKING

The Tech Center is a dream years in the making, and now it’s becoming a reality! Come down to the Trades District and join John Fernandez and others as we commemorate progress and unveil the next steps. Then stick around for appetizers, drinks, and music at The Mill to celebrate our fifth birthday.

THE MILL’S BIRTHDAY BASH!

Join us for food, drink, live music, and a community celebration! Can you believe The Mill’s doors have been open five years? We’ve  already seen so much innovation, growth, and change in our ecosystem. We’re proud to play a role in building a diverse, dynamic economy for our region. We’ll celebrate our first five years and everything that’s yet to come, and we’d love to see you there!

Special thanks to our friends at Ivy Tech for always supporting The Mill and for sponsoring this event, and to Upland Brewing for providing beer and wine!

CIty of bloomington innovation celebration

Open to the public! The City of Bloomington is holding their Innovation Celebration to honor all of the innovative initiatives brought forth across Bloomington in the past year. Learn about the exciting new ideas being implemented, network with community leaders, and get inspired!