By EMILY DUNCAN
Public Relations Director, Office of Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann

Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann announced details for the upcoming 2015 Indiana Entrepreneurship Week which will take place June 14-20 as a way to further recognize the efforts of entrepreneurs throughout Indiana.

The Indiana Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship has established Entrepreneurship Week as a week-long celebration to showcase Indiana’s top entrepreneurial talent, promote entrepreneurship as a profession and educate small business owners on related topics.

“OSBE was created to centralize and focus our administration’s efforts to foster an environment that is attractive to small business development and growth.” noted Lt. Governor Ellspermann. “In fact, in a recent national poll, Indiana ranked in the top ten for states that are small business friendly. I look forward to Entrepreneurship Week providing a showcase for talent and growth taking place throughout Indiana as we continue to make our state one that works for small businesses and entrepreneurs.”

With the theme of Igniting Indiana, Entrepreneurship Week will offer events each day throughout Indiana engaging entrepreneurs in educational and celebratory opportunities. Planned events include the Young Entrepreneurs Co-working Space events; an exporting workshop showcasing federal, state, and regional exporting resources; and an Indiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center Industry Day to facilitate relationships between small businesses and Federal Government agencies. The culmination of the week will be the Economic Development and Growth through Entrepreneurship Awards ceremony held in conjunction with Indiana Small Business Administration Awards.

“The inaugural Entrepreneurship Week will highlight all sectors of small business and entrepreneurship in Indiana – from the manufacturer looking to procure a contract with the federal government, to the young innovative-driven entrepreneur looking to plant roots and grow their company in the Hoosier state,” said OSBE director Jacob Schpok. “This is the time to bring together interested parties to further examine the business opportunities currently within the state and encourage innovative growth within the industry.”

Small Business Statistics:

• Number of small businesses in Indiana – 144,000
• Small businesses employing 1 to 4 people – 72,000
• Number of Hoosiers employed by small businesses – 2.1 million
• Annual revenue generated – $129 billion
• 23,000 startups employ 82,000 people

For more information on events, programs, schedules and how to plan your own event during Igniting Indiana, the inaugural Entrepreneurship Week, visit www.IgnitingIndiana.com.