Northeast Indiana is Where Innovation Starts
Northeast Indiana is home to a fast-growing innovation ecosystem anchored by a global MedTech industry, ambitious startups, and the partners who back them.
A Region Ready for What's Next
For nearly two decades, Northeast Indiana has quietly built one of the Midwest's strongest foundations for innovation with a region-wide commitment to research and development, a deep range of engineering and manufacturing talent, and a MedTech-led industry base that generates billions in annual revenue. Today, that foundation is accelerating.
NEI works alongside our region's leading innovation partners, research institutions, and investors to connect entrepreneurs and companies with the capital, facilities, and networks they need to grow. Whether you're a founder looking for your next round, a company exploring the U.S. market, or an investor looking for what's next, this is where you start.
Our Innovation Ecosystem
NEI collaborates with a growing network of partners driving innovation across the region.
Northeast Indiana Angel Network - Powered by VisionTech
NEI has partnered with VisionTech Partners, a Midwest angel investing firm founded in 2009 with a track record of successful exits and IPOs, to launch the Northeast Indiana Angel Network. The Program gives accredited investors a dedicated pathway to fund early-stage, Northeast Indiana-aligned companies - backed by VisionTech's proven screening, due diligence, and syndication process and its network of angel investors across Indiana and Ohio. For founders, it means access to structured, professionally vetted capital in sectors like advanced materials, agtech, energy hardware, IoT, life sciences, medical devices, SaaS, and supply chain. For investors, it means a direct line to the region's most promising startups, paired with VisionTech's institutional-grade diligence.
Plug and Play Warsaw
Plug and Play is the world's largest innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, and investors across more than 60 locations worldwide. Its Warsaw, Indiana location - based on the Zimmer Biomet campus - is dedicated entirely to MedTech, running a batch-based accelerator program that has brought international startups to Northeast Indiana to work directly with corporate partners like Zimmer Biomet and Paragon Medical. Startups in the program get hands-on mentorship, warm introductions to investors and corporate leaders, and a front-row seat to Warsaw's position as one of the world's leading orthopedic and medical device hubs.
Visit SiteJunction 36
Powered by Indiana Tech, Junction 36 is the region's hub for advanced manufacturing and HardTech innovation - helping companies adopt new technologies, bring new products to market, and train their teams around them, whether that's R&D, testing, validation, integration, or hands-on manufacturing space. The initiative grew out of Indiana Tech's 2024 expansion of its Zollner Engineering Center and is backed by a $21 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. Its future home, Building 36 on Fort Wayne's Electric Works campus, will also host programs designed to inspire and develop the region's next generation of STEM leaders and product innovators.
Visit SiteMedTech Global Gateway
A collaboration between the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation, NEI, and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the MedTech Global Gateway helps international MedTech innovators enter and scale in the U.S. healthcare market. The program offers access to clinical testing, research partnerships, and Northeast Indiana's world-class device industry.
Visit SiteNIIC (Northeast Indiana Innovation Community)
The NIIC connects the people, ideas, and opportunities that create new companies, strengthen existing businesses, and build a more prosperous region. Based in Fort Wayne, it supports founders from idea to launch through coaching and its Women's Business Center. Additionally, it helps established organizations discover new opportunities and prepare for what's next, and brings the region's innovators together through membership, coworking, and a shared conference and event space.
Visit SiteElevate Ventures
Elevate Ventures is the #1 most active early-stage venture capital firm in the Great Lakes Region and a top-10 firm nationally. Headquartered in Indianapolis and active across the state, Elevate funds Indiana-headquartered, cross-sector, innovation-driven companies from Pre-Seed through Series A - pairing capital with hands-on guidance on financial and legal structure, talent recruitment, and go-to-market strategy as founders grow.
Visit SiteJoin the Northeast Indiana Angel Network
NEI and VisionTech welcomes accredited investors to join one of the most active angel networks in the Midwest. As a member, you'll get:
- A collegial network of fellow investors across Indiana and Ohio
- High-quality, pre-screened deal flow you can shape around your own interests and industry expertise
- A seat at the table in screening and due diligence
- Opportunities to mentor or serve on the board of portfolio companies
- Regular pitch events, held online or in person
- An annual CEO Summit spotlighting portfolio company progress
- Social and educational events throughout the year
For Investors
Interested in being an Angel Investor? We'd love to talk to you!
For Innovators
Looking to launch your next big idea? Do it in Northeast Indiana!
Got Questions?
Have a question about innovation in Northeast Indiana? Whether you're a founder, investor, or partner organization, we'd love to hear from you.