Hoosier Small Businesses Complete Export Accelerator
(photo courtesy of Purdue University)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Small Business Development Center is celebrating seven small businesses that completed the 2020 Export Indiana Accelerator. The statewide initiative aims to help companies create “ready-to-execute export plans” to get their products or services on the international marketplace.
The Indiana SBDC says the three-month program provides export guidance and market research resources for small businesses to create their export business plans. Participants receive services such as business management training, foreign market research, tax, tariff and regulatory compliance, and application assistance for the Indiana State Trade and Export Promotion program.
“To stay competitive in today’s 21st century economy, we’re committed to opening up new opportunities for Hoosier small businesses to market and sell their products in global markets,” Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger said in a news release. “The Export Indiana Accelerator equips small businesses with the tools and resources they need to develop export opportunities around the world, growing their business and positioning our state for continued success.”
The seven small businesses that completed the program include:
- BITCHSTIX (Indianapolis) – a face and skin care social enterprise selling lip balms and skin products made with organic, environmentally-friendly ingredients. The company sells its products in approximately 500 stores throughout the U.S. and recently expanded into the Canadian market.
- B2S Life Sciences (Franklin) – a biotherapeutic enablement company advancing improved analytical methods and outcomes for developers of biotherapeutic drugs and diagnostics.
- Genesis Plastics Welding (Fortville) – an ISO-13485-certified contract manufacturer that provides radio frequency welding and heat sealing for plastic products, serving clients in a wide range of industries.
- JUA Technologies International (West Lafayette) – a Purdue University-affiliated startup providing energy efficient, multi-purpose solar food dehydrators designed for small farms.
- HD Williams Co. (New Castle) – a manufacturer and distributor of heavy duty concrete lifting and reinforcement supplies.
- Heliponix (Evansville) – an agbioscience startup that commercialized an automated, aeroponic appliance called a GroPod™ to allow consumers to grow produce in the convenience of their own homes.
- MTEK Armor Group (Martinsville) – a designer and manufacturer of advanced head protection systems, armor and accessories for the defense industry.
The accelerator is managed by the Indiana SBDC in partnership with the Indiana University Center for International Business Education and Research.