The Forge Welcomes its First Tenant

​The Forge Welcomes its First Tenant

The Mill announced that Folia, a growing Bloomington software company, has entered into a 5-year lease and will become the first tenant for The Forge, a new 22,000-square-foot sustainably designed Class-A office building located in Bloomington’s Trades District. 

Folia, founded by IU alumnus Ravi Bhatt, helps regulated-industry customers turn information into knowledge. Their products provide a secure workflow for research and review for mission-critical applications. The company is leasing a 618 square feet unit in The Forge.

Folia began their journey as a member of The Mill, leveraging its resources to develop and gain market traction. Their expansion into The Forge underscores Bloomington’s vision for the Trades District as a community where startups can launch and scale.   Folia exemplifies the City of Bloomington’s vision for The Forge as a premier office space for early-stage companies that graduate from The Mill.

“The Trades District is fulfilling our vision for Bloomington as a center of innovation and opportunity,” said John Fernandez, Senior Vice President of Innovation & Strategic Partnerships at The Mill. “Supporting successful new tech businesses like Folia demonstrates that Bloomington is a place where startups can start, grow, and succeed. We’re excited to support the success of companies like Folia as they scale up and increase their contribution to Bloomington’s economy and our vibrant ecosystem.”

“We’re thrilled to take this next step in our growth by moving into The Forge,” said Ravi Bhatt, founder of Folia. “Bloomington has been an incredible home for us, offering both a talented community and the resources we need to scale. The Trades District is the perfect place to continue innovating and building. We’re looking forward to the journey ahead.”

The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission (RDC), the property’s owner, reviewed and approved Folia’s lease at their meeting on December 16, 2024.

The Forge, located in Bloomington’s Trades District, offers premium office space to companies looking to grow in a sustainably designed and innovative environment. Entrepreneurs interested in leasing space at The Forge should contact John Fernandez at [email protected].