gBETA, a pre-accelerator program designed to hone start-up business concepts and plans, is accepting applications for its 2021 spring cohort. They will accept two companies from Bloomington, two from Columbus, and one more from the Velocities region (Bloomington, Columbus, and surrounding area).

Click more to learn about gBETA or click here to sign up for a 30-minute session to be considered for a spot. (Choose the options for virtual sessions with Geoff.) The time will be used to learn about your startup, where you are as a business, where you're headed, and how gBETA might help if you are selected.

The Mill has launched its Spark Business Plan Competition for entrepreneurs in south-central Indiana, with a cash prize of $2,500 going to the winner.

Pre-seed startups in the Bloomington and Columbus region are encouraged to apply by Dec. 4 with a 5-minute pitch video, an executive summary of their business plan, and a slide deck.

Entries will be reviewed by a panel of entrepreneurs and investors, and the top three and winner will be announced during a live Zoom event on Dec. 15. 

Click here for more information and to apply.

B-Start, a pre-accelerator program to help launch for-profit innovation-driven businesses in Bloomington, is taking applications for its next cohort.

B-Start participants are at the earliest stage of their business development and are coached through a 5-month process of mentorship and group activities to build a foundation for accelerating the growth of their startups. Click here for the tentative 2020-21 program schedule.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. Click here to apply.

The Dimension Mill has released its 2019 Annual Report, with highlights of membership, programs and events. This is The Mill's first report since opening in November 2018.

Click here to read The Mill's annual report.

The Mill is a co-working space and business incubator located at 642 N. Madison in the city's Trades District. It operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, funded initially by the City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission. Erin Predmore, the Chamber's CEO, serves on The Mill's board and 5-member executive committee. 

One of the newest members of The Mill is Cy Megnin, the entrepreneur-in-residence for Velocities, a partnership between Elevate Ventures, The Mill and the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. 

 Cy, who grew up in Bloomington, will be working to support other entrepreneurs in the Bloomington/Columbus region. Most recently he has funded and led several companies in Austin, Texas, including CloudCoreo (acquired by VMware), PrepFlash, and OCPS, a real estate investment firm that focused on environmentally conscious building practices.

​You can meet Cy in person on Monday, Aug. 12, at a meet-and-greet  from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Mill. Appetizers and drinks will be served, and Cy will lead an interactive "fireside chat" from 6-6:45 p.m. Click here to register. You can also find Cy on Twitter at @CyMegnin.

Interested in learning more about The Mill? On the third Thursday of each month, you can try out the co-working space for free. The day includes a networking lunch called COLLIDE. Click here for more info.

But wait – there's more! Keep in the loop by signing up for The Mill's newsletter here. And check out the Chamber's recent 3 Things podcast for an interview with Pat East, The Mill's executive director, and graphic designer Jennie Moser, owner and founder of Jennie Moser Design, about entrepreneurship in Bloomington and the role that The Mill plays in providing an attractive space for freelancers and small business owners to work and network.