Eniola Longe

Q&A with Connect 574 co-founder Cat Edmonds

When Cat Edmonds, 26, moved back to South Bend in 2022 to work with the University of Notre Dame, one thing was clear to her, there was a lack of connections. Edmonds took on the challenge to solve this problem through her passion project, Connect 574. Dubbed the social club for the new generation, Connect 574 is on a mission to foster connectedness and intentional friendships through the various events it puts on and online through its member portal.... Read More

Microsoft acquires land in Granger for data center

Another major tech company is looking to Indiana for the next phase of technological advancements. Microsoft has acquired nearly 930 acres of farmland from St. Joe Farm, according to documents from the St. Joseph County recorder.... Read More

Cimcor CEO talks export challenges and growth goals

One Indiana cybersecurity company was recently awarded the President’s “E” Award for remarkable contribution to U.S. exports this month. Cimcor CEO Robert Johnson talked to IIB about export challenges and a resource companies need to leverage more.... Read More

Notre Dame startup VisiLocate aims to revolutionize breast cancer care

Three University of Notre Dame students are reimagining the way breast cancer patients receive treatment.  Sunghoon Rho, Ciara Dillon and Nicholas Ross, co-founders of South Bend-based VisiLocate, a company seeking to help surgeons find breast cancer tumors using a miniature localization light device, clinched the grand prize at the McCloskey New Venture Competition held in April.... Read More

Q&A with Jakub Drwal, co-founder of CR3 Markets

University of Notre Dame rising seniors Jakub Drwal, Andrew Vittiglio and Jack Wayman want to take real estate investing into the future by bringing transparency and liquidity like never before to the market. Their early-stage startup, CR3 Markets will serve as an exchange for commercial real estate asset management firms and developers to raise public funds. The company has secured an initial pilot with a South Bend-based developer and also received $250,000 from Notre Dame’s 1842 Fund. The VC also helped with the process of hiring the company’s CEO, Wyck Brown.... Read More

Verbio North America breaks ground on South Bend plant expansion

Verbio North America is breathing new life into a biorefinery in South Bend. The company broke ground on its upgrade and expansion of the former South Bend Ethanol plant on the city’s south side. Headquartered in Germany, the Hoosier investment is the company’s second imprint in the United States. The company will invest $230 million in this project.... Read More

Goodwill’s new Elkhart location set to open early 2025

Goodwill Industries of Michiana expects to open its new facility in Elkhart’s Neighborhood Opportunity Hub by early 2025. The project will house most of the not-for-profit’s services in the city under one roof. Located in the Woodland Crossing Shopping Center, formerly known as the Pierre Moran Mall, Goodwill partnered with Heart City Health to purchase the abandoned Sears building. Heart City plans to open a comprehensive health facility on its side of the building, including urgent care.... Read More

Q&A with Ryan Henderson at Conexus Indiana

New Paris based boat company, Smoker Craft, received the inaugural Conexus Indiana Manufacturing Innovation Award at the Mira Awards held last month in Indianapolis. One of the largest fiberglass deck boat manufacturers in the world and specializing in aluminum boat production, Smoker Craft implemented automation solutions to solve its labor shortage, increase productivity and revenue.... Read More

Local couple to launch GigWorx franchise in north central Indiana

GigWorx, a staffing company, is opening a new franchise in the South Bend-Elkhart region. Franchise owners Mathew Welsch and Alyssa Varacalli are on a mission to innovate and prime staffing in the region for optimal economic growth and development. The company’s model emphasizes flexibility, efficiency and worker empowerment, leading to a dynamic environment for both businesses and workers.... Read More

Graham Allen Partners set to launch $200M Data Focus Fund II

Graham Allen Partners is set to launch a $200 million fund focused on leveraging untapped data within legacy businesses. The Data Focus Fund II follows the firm's initial $93 million investments using similar strategies, launched in 2019. With over $400 million of assets under management, the private equity firm will continue its commitment to Midwest-based businesses.... Read More