Tech Execs Weigh In On Blockbuster Deal

Two Indiana tech leaders say the $1.4 billion acquisition of Interactive Intelligence is a good sign for Indiana. TechPoint Chief Executive Officer Mike Langellier says it shows the global sector knows "substantive, successful tech companies grow here." Launch Fishers Executive Director John Wechsler says deals like this create wealth for local entrepreneurs and investors, allowing them to spark "the next wave of startups."

Wechsler says entrepreneurs and investors can take the wealth and experience achieved with Interactive Intelligence over the last 15-20 years and use it to forge a stronger startup community. He says Indianapolis is "still in the early stages of trying to drive and complete our startup ecosystem." He says, with a base of capital in the community, more Indiana companies can become acquirers, and "buy up other companies over the next generation or two."

In a statement sent to Inside INdiana Business, Langellier said, "This is a big transaction that puts Indy’s tech community even more on the map and reinforces that substantive, successful tech companies grow here. The transaction also puts money in employees’ pockets that will hopefully be reinvested into local companies. Congratulations to the Interactive Intelligence team for the validation of the value that you’ve created. Now we must and will stand ready to welcome Genesys and ensure that the Indianapolis operation stays a strategic, significant and growing part of their future business."