Partnership Increases Access to Capital in Southeast Indiana
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA new partnership between Indianapolis-based Elevate Ventures and Render Capital in Louisville will ensure entrepreneurs in southern Indiana continue receiving early-stage investments and advice. Elevate Southeast Indiana replaces 1804 Inc., which operated from 2017 to 2020.
Elevate Southeast says it intends to provide three needs to entrepreneurs: hands-on mentoring, early-stage startup funding, and access to educational content and events. The partnership will also focus on empowering the angel investor community.
“The most successful communities have a deep culture of entrepreneurism and innovation, and the Elevate Southeast partnership will encourage and boost that culture within the region,” said Chris LaMothe, chief executive officer of Elevate Ventures. “Kent Lanum of the Paul Ogle Foundation is a true visionary and the original driver behind this important southeast Indiana initiative. I’m excited to continue this entrepreneurial partnership with Render Capital and the energy and vision they bring to the ecosystem.”
Elevate Ventures’ regional entrepreneur-in-residence, Dr. Kyle Keeney, and the managing director of Render Capital, Patrick Henshaw, will share office hours every other Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Root co-working space in New Albany.
As part of the partnership, early-stage high-growth startups have access to the Elevate Ventures Community Ideation Fund. The fund invests up to $20,000 per company and enables ideation stage entrepreneurs to move closer to a specific milestone.
A committee of five local stakeholders will be responsible for approving the Community Ideation Fund investments. Committee members include:
- Raechele Gray, Endeavor Midwest
- Kyle Keeney, Elevate Ventures
- Kent Lanum, Paul Ogle Foundation
- Marigrace Ragsdale, Render Capital
- Elizabeth Rounsavall, Rounsavall Investments
“Render Capital wanted to pursue this collaboration with Elevate Ventures because we know there is a need for increased entrepreneurial support and collaboration throughout the region,” said Patrick Henshaw, managing director of Render Capital. “This partnership gives us the chance to play a more intentional and active role in making sure our region’s entrepreneurs get the access to capital, mentoring and relationships they need to grow and scale locally. This is a great way for us to grow our mission and get more capital in the hands of our area’s best startups.”
Entrepreneurs looking for assistance can apply by clicking here.