Purdue@WestGate ‘Firestarter’ Program Launches

The event will take place at the WestGate Academy in Odon. (photo courtesy Westgate@Crane Technology Park)

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A program designed to support southern Indiana entrepreneurship is touting the potential of its inaugural class. The Purdue@WestGate version of Purdue University’s Firestarter program includes 11 startups at the WestGate Academy. The six-week program is designed to foster commercialization by connecting entrepreneurs with resources.

Purdue Foundry says its West Lafayette program churned out or assisted 165 startups from 2013 to 2016, graduating 97 ideas. Officials say the next cohort will launch next year and it is expected to be larger. Purdue@WestGate Director Jason Salstrom says "the response to the program exceeded what we anticipated and is a tremendous first stride toward growing WestGate as a regional innovation hub. This kind of a response indicates considerable entrepreneurial potential."

You can connect to more about the program by clicking here.