Way back in 1970, Canadian rock group Five Man Electric Band released an iconic song that bellowed “sign, sign everywhere a sign … can’t you read the sign?”
Luckily, for loyal Tech Talk readers, I can read the signs. And they’re screaming that 2022 is going to be a year of growth for the state’s tech industry. There are a handful of notable indicators that came forth in late 2021 pointing this out.
These come in the form of growing local tech companies, strengthening belief in this market by non-Hoosier firms willing to plant a flag here and the launching of innovative high-tech business segments here, all with the promise of bringing new jobs to the state.
One well-known technology group even suggests it’s time to upgrade the Hoosier state’s high-tech brand in a big way. It’s a bold assertion, but there’s a growing chorus of people who seem to agree.
Here’s a synopsis of some recent signs pointing up, with links for those interested in taking a deeper dive into the tea leaves.
Encamp, a trailblazing environmental compliance data management and reporting technology company, in mid-December announced accelerated growth in 2021. The Indianapolis-based company’s growth includes a 500% year-over-year increase in annual recurring revenue and a 200% increase in employment, with the goal to more than double again by the end of 2022.
Kroger, America’s largest grocery retailer, is expanding its Kroger fulfillment network. The addition of a delivery “spoke” brings innovation and modern e-commerce to the Indianapolis area, extending the grocer’s reach and ability to provide its customers anything, anytime, anywhere. The Indianapolis fulfillment center will create up to 150 jobs and is currently hiring for various roles, including delivery drivers, with a starting hourly wage of $19 plus benefits including health care and retirement.
There’s nothing quite like an outside endorsement. Especially when that endorsement comes from a growing global powerhouse.
Vienna, Austria-based marketing technology firm Emarsys recently announced the appointment of Christine Novak as senior vice president/country manager of North America. This is the latest in a line of high-profile hires indicative of the company’s belief that central Indiana is a hotbed of tech talent. Novak – along with new CEO Joanna Milliken and Meghann York, the new global head of product marketing – are based in central Indiana and the company is on the lookout for more local talent. Novak will be directly responsible for the commercial performance of Emarsys’ North America team. Milliken says the company is poised for growth in Indiana.
In another nod from an out-of-state company showing confidence in the local market, Chicago-based marketing tech company ActiveCampaign is spending some of that $240 million Series C round of funding it got in April on new office space in Indianapolis, moving to 342 Mass Ave. They expect to house their currently 40-plus staff (doubled since opening an office here in 2019 and still growing) there in the first half of this year, following a buildout. The global company is hiring for more than 100 positions across technology, product, marketing, sales, human resources and customer support teams. All of the U.S.-based positions are open to Indiana residents, who, if they secure jobs based in other cities, could use the new Indy office as their home base.
In the way too early to get too excited, yet still a good sign category, central Indiana made the initial cut out of 529 applicants for the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) $1 billion “Build Back Better Regional Challenge.” The EDA said the winning programs will receive up to $100 million each to use toward economic pandemic recovery. The 60 finalists, each a coalition of partnering entities, have proposed projects that will develop or scale industry sectors, develop and train workers, and build resilient economies. If the local group receives a grant, officials plan to launch a learning lab and science center, a coalition to improve and coordinate regional transit and food processing and production facilities.
The bevy of positive news noted above and a record venture and growth capital haul by Hoosier tech firms in 2021 means the time has come to remove “emerging” from the description of Indiana as a major tech hub, says TechPoint.
Who are we to argue?
Anthony Schoettle is the director of communications for the Indiana Chamber. He started with the Chamber in 2021 after a long career in journalism. He’s won multiple awards for his storytelling ability on a wide range of business topics.
