The inVenture and the SBDC's Fuse Business Innovation Annual Awards Luncheon spotlights the small business community's innovation, creativity, energy, and growth. The celebration will focus on the entrepreneurs in our community who are doing things differently and making an impact. Fuse Business Innovation Awards recognize the businesses that are “Brands To Watch.” Be a part of this exciting event by planning to attend. To request more information about this year's event, contact Terri Brown at 812-339-8937.

Third Annual Fuse Business Innovation Awards
Co-sponsored by the South Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and inVenture, Bloomington's technology business incubator, the Fuse Business Innovation Awards recognize small businesses for their innovation, creativity, energy, and growth.

For this year's Annual Fuse Business Innovation Awards Luncheon, we welcomed Rebecca Ryan, as keynote speaker; presenting "Cool Communities".

Rebecca Ryan of Next Generation Consulting:
Fasten your seatbelts! Rebecca Ryan is progress in motion. Rebecca's keen eye for trends and irreverence in presenting them make her one of America's most in-demand consultants for clients who want to engage the next generation. Rebecca was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and is currently writing her new book, Live First Work Second. Rebecca's passion is teaching today's leaders how to engage tomorrow's generation.

2007 Winners

• Bill and Gayle Cook Entrepreneur of the Year: Walnut Grove Spring Water
• Entrepreneurial Growth Award: Option Six, Inc.
• Innovative Business of the Year: Hanapin Marketing
• Microenterprise of the Year: Spectrum Studios
• Social Entrepreneur of the Year: Wonderlab, the Museum of Science, Health and Technology
• Small Business Advocate of the Year: Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association
• Community Service Award: TIS Group

2006 Winners

• Bill and Gayle Cook Entrepreneur of the Year: Option Six, Inc.
• Entrepreneurial Growth Award: Big Time Trading, LLC
• Innovative Business of the Year: RightRez, Inc.
• Microenterprise of the Year: Rock Paper Scissors, Inc.
• Social Entrepreneur of the Year: Stone Belt Arc, Inc.
• Small Business Advocate of the Year: Linda Williamson
• Community Service Award: Textillery Weavers

2005 Winners

• Entrepreneur of the Year: John Goode, President of MSP Aviation, Inc.
• Entrepreneurial Growth Award: Electronic Communication Systems, Inc.,
• Innovative Business of the Year: Information in Place, Inc. (IIPI)
• Microenterprise of the Year: Crawlspace Doctor Inc.
• Social Entrepreneur of the Year: Middle Way House
• Small Business Advocate of the Year: Lynn Coyne, Indiana University