Novaparke

06/20/2025

A captivating panel of entrepreneurs electrified the audience at Innovation Expo 2025 at IU Southeast. Theresa Reno-Webber of Good Maps; Jack Manzella of SoSab Inks; Grant Chapman of Glassboard; and Donald Ridings of Fat of the Land. Facilitated expertly by Lisa Russell from IU Southeast and John Launius of One Southern Indiana.

06/20/2025

Bill White talks the pros and cons of venture capital vs. commercial loans at Innovation Expo at IU Southeast, sponsored by Novaparke, IEDC and IUS.

06/20/2025

Kicking off Innovation Expo 2025 at IU Southeast with Jenna Ahern of Guardian Owl Digital and Guardian Owl AI (and host of the GO AI podcast) on Leveraging AI.

06/19/2025

This is it. Your last chance to get wired and inspired. TOMORROW - Friday, June 20 - at Indiana University Southeast, spend your morning getting enough inspiration and information to spark a lifetime of success — at Innovation Expo 2025. Check it out:

Jumpstart Breakfast Presentation: Real World AIDemos with the fabulous Jenna Ahern — Founder, Guardian Owl Digital; Host, Guardian Owl AI, the GO AI podcast, The SEO Show podcast

Breakout Sessions - Get Your Game On!
• Venture Capital vs. Commercial Loan with Bill White
• Securing Grants for Innovation, Bootstrapping & Alternative Financing with Kevin Gibson

Amazing Innovation Showcase Panel!
• Theresa Reno-Weber, CEO, GoodMaps
• Grant Chapman, Founder & CEO, Glassboard
• Donald Ridings, Founder, Fat of the Land
• Jack Manzella, COO, Sofab Inks Inc.

More Breakout Sessions, More Game!
• The Startup Legal Toolkit with D. Keith Pulliam
• Smart Marketing for Startups with Allen Howie

Lunch / World-Renowned Keynote Speaker:
Terry Jones, Founder, Travelocity; Co-Founder, Kayak

Thanks to the event sponsors, it’s free to attend, but registration is required. Register for tomorrow’s event online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovation-expo-2025-tickets-1376418267089?aff=oddtdtcreator

Innovation Expo 2025 is sponsored by Novaparke Innovation & Technology Campus, Indiana University Southeast School of Business and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Don’t end up sad. Register right now.

06/17/2025

There’s still time. This Friday, June 20 at Indiana University Southeast, invest half a day and get enough inspiration and information to spark a lifetime of success — at Innovation Expo 2025.

Breakfast Presentation: Real World AI
Demos with Jenna Ahern — Founder, Guardian Owl Digital; Host, Guardian Owl AI, the GOAI podcast, The SEO Show podcast

Breakout Sessions:
• Venture Capital vs. Commercial Loan with Bill White
• Securing Grants for Innovation, Bootstrapping & Alternative Financing with Kevin Gibson

Innovation Showcase Panel:
• Theresa Reno-Weber, CEO, GoodMaps
• Grant Chapman, Founder & CEO, Glassboard
• Donald Ridings, Founder, Fat of the Land
• Jack Manzella, COO, Sofab Inks Inc.

Breakout Sessions:
• The Startup Legal Toolkit with D. Keith Pulliam
• Smart Marketing for Startups with Allen Howie

Lunch / Keynote Speaker:
Terry Jones, Founder, Travelocity; Co-Founder, Kayak

Thanks to the event sponsors, there is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Register for the June 20 event online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovation-expo-2025-tickets-1376418267089?aff=oddtdtcreator

Innovation Expo 2025 is sponsored by Novaparke Innovation & Technology Campus, Indiana University Southeast School of Business and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

06/13/2025

Here’s another reason to register now for our FREE June 20 Innovation Expo 2025 event at IU Southeast. Actually, four good reasons: our Innovator Showcase Panel assembles four of the region’s thought leaders on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Grant Chapman is the CEO of Glassboard, an Indianapolis-based hardware product development firm. He began his career in energy storage systems before founding EVC Racing, an electric go-kart startup. In 2015, he co-founded Glassboard, leading its growth into a full-service product development company and recipient of the Mira Service Partner of the Year award in 2023.

Theresa Reno-Weber is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and former McKinsey consultant. She launched Louisville’s internationally recognized LouieStat performance program as Chief of Performance & Technology, then drove multi-state data collaborations in health and human services as CEO of Metro United Way. Theresa currently serves as CEO of GoodMaps, a global startup using cutting-edge indoor positioning and AI-enabled navigation to make the built world more inclusive and accessible, and as Chair of the Drucker Institute’s international board as well as several national and state-level boards advancing civic leadership, policy, and economic opportunity.

After spending the majority of his adult life working as a nurse, Donald Ridings decided to shake things up and start a food brand because his kids love snacks, but he hated what was in them. He founded Fat of the Land, a food company dedicated to getting vegetable and seed oils out of food and replacing them with the animal fats that our ancestors used for millennia.

A technologist by trade and a resourceful entrepreneur at heart, Jack Manzella supported the commercialization of innovative products at GE Appliance’s R&D lab, FirstBuild before managing business development and operations at SoFab Inks, a chemical manufacturing startup focused on accelerating the adoption of perovskite solar cells through collaborative material manufacturing. He is an Entrepreneur-In-Residence for Uof L’s College of Business, teaching entrepreneurship courses in the Innovation-MBA program and supporting student entrepreneurs across the University.

Innovation Expo 2025 is presented by Novaparke Innovation & Technology Campus, Indiana University Southeast School of Business and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. In addition to the June 20 showcase event at IU Southeast, from June 16th through June 27th, a number of additional events, including hands-on workshops, talks and mixers, will be hosted at Novaparke in Georgetown, Indiana.

Thanks to the event sponsors, there is no charge to attend, but registration is required and seating is limited. Those interested may register for the June 20 event online here: https://ow.ly/S0oT50W98WW

06/12/2025

If you want to know which AI tools you should be using and how AI can help you work more efficiently, don’t miss Guardian Owl & GO AI CEO, GO AI Podcast host and SEO/AI expert Jenna Ahern as the kickoff breakfast speaker for Innovation Expo 2025 on Friday, June 20 at 8:00 a.m. at Indiana University Southeast. She will offer an overview of the most valuable AI tools including live demos of several.

Jenna and her companies were early adopters of AI, and she has been a featured speaker at conferences. Under her leadership, Guardian Owl Digital and its AI-focused division, GO AI, have collaborated with notable brands such as Angels Envy, GE, and the Kentucky Derby Museum. Their innovative campaigns have garnered recognition in Forbes, Business Insider, and Business First, including the Best Data-Driven Campaign at The Netty Awards.

Before establishing Guardian Owl Digital, Jenna built her expertise inside three Google Premier Partner agencies and two of the world’s largest automotive platforms—Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book. A former two-time Vice Captain of the Division I University of Louisville Field Hockey Team, she brings a competitive spirit and team-building prowess to her ventures. Jenna serves on the boards of the University of Louisville Project on Positive Leadership and Blessings in a Backpack.

Innovation Expo is presented by Novaparke Innovation & Technology Campus, Indiana University Southeast School of Business and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. In addition to the June 20 showcase event at IU Southeast, from June 16th through June 27th, a number of additional events, including hands-on workshops, talks and mixers, will be hosted at Novaparke in Georgetown, Indiana.

Thanks to the event sponsors, there is no charge to attend, but registration is required and seating is limited. Those interested may register for the June 20 event online here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovation-expo-2025-tickets-1376418267089?aff=oddtdtcreator

06/10/2025

Attention entrepreneurs, startups and small business owners. Here’s your chance to hear from one of the world’s foremost founders and innovators. Novaparke Innovation & Technology Campus, Indiana University Southeast School of Business and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation are delighted to present author, innovator, Travelocity.com founder and Kayak.com founding Chairman Terry Jones as the featured lunch speaker for Innovation Expo 2025 on Friday, June 20 at Indiana University Southeast.

Terry Jones has become a thought leader on innovation and a powerful voice in the world of entrepreneurship through his numerous speaking engagements and the publication of his book, ON Innovation.

While at American Airlines as Chief Information Officer of its SABRE division, he led a team of six working on a project that became Travelocity.com. Jones served as CEO of Travelocity for seven years, transforming it to a public company with three billion dollars in travel sales.

He left Travelocity when the company was taken private and became part of the founding team at Kayak.com, a company that yet again revolutionized how travel was purchased. He served as Chairman of the company from its founding until it was sold to Priceline for $2.1 billion dollars in 2013.

Today he is the managing principal of ON Inc. a consultancy he founded to help companies in their transition to the digital economy. He serves on the boards of Crytica Security, Sonicwall The Camping and Education Foundation and is Chairman of Amgine.ai. Terry is the author of the best selling books, ON Innovation and Disruption OFF, and is the holder of several patents.

Terry Jones' talk, which will include a live Q&A session, is part of a daylong series of events on June 20, including breakfast speaker, Guardian Owl founder and AI expert Jenna Ahern; a stellar innovation panel stacked with leading entrepreneurs; and breakout sessions with leading local experts.And there’s more!

From June 16th through June 27th, a whole host of additional events, including hands-on workshops, talks and mixers, will be hosted at Novaparke in Georgetown, Indiana.

Thanks to the event sponsors, there is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Register for the June 20 event online here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovation-expo-2025-tickets-1376418267089?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/23/2025

Attention , entrepreneurs, startups and small business owners. Novaparke Innovation & Technology Campus, Indiana University Southeast School of Business and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation are delighted to present Innovation Expo 2025 — a two-week event that brings regional and national speakers and activities together to inspire, enlighten, inform and equip you for success.

The centerpiece of the two-week event takes place on Friday, June 20 at Indiana University Southeast. Speakers and sessions are as follows:
Breakfast Speaker: Leveraging AI
Jenna Ahern — Founder & CEO, Guardian Owl Digital; Host, GOAI podcast, The SEO Show podcast
Breakout Sessions (choose one):
• Venture Capital vs. Commercial Loan
• Securing Grants for Innovation
• Bootstrapping & Alternative Financing
Innovation Showcase Panel:
• Theresa Reno-Weber, CEO, Goodmaps
• Grant Chapman, Founder & CEO, Glassboard
• Donald Ridings, Founder, Fat of the Land
• Jack Manzella, COO, Sofab Inks Inc.
• Moderated by John Launius, Vice President, Director Of Economic Development, One Southern Indiana
Breakout Sessions (choose one):
• Patents, Trademarks & IP Strategy
• The Startup Legal Toolkit
• Smart Marketing 2025
Lunch / Keynote Speaker: Terry Jones, Founder, Travelocity; Co-Founder, Kayak

And there’s more! From June 16th through June 27th, a whole host of additional events, including hands-on work-shops, talks and mixers, will be hosted at Novaparke in Georgetown, Indiana. More information to come on these!

Thanks to the event sponsors, there is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Register for the June 20 event online here:

Regional and national speakers on innovation will offer practical guidance for entrepreneurs, startups and small business owners.

03/17/2025

Food plots have gained popularity as a way to attract wildlife to a particular place. On March 29 at Novaparke, Angel Jackson, District Manager for Floyd County Soil and Water Conservation and also with Purdue Extension, will be featured at a STEM Saturday session as we explore the role of food plots in land management, conservation, and wildlife sustainability.

You’ll learn how strategically planted food plots can support local ecosystems, improve soil health and attract beneficial wildlife. Whether you’re a landowner, hunter, conservationist, or just curious about sustainable agriculture, you’ll get valuable insights into the science behind food plots.

When: Saturday, March 29th, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Where: Novaparke, 111 Innovation Parkway, Georgetown, IN
Cost: FREE
Register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EADAD2DA1FFCF8-55199074-stem

03/05/2025

Food plots have gotten popu;ar as a way to attract wildlife to a particular place. On March 29 at Novaparke, Angel Jackson, District Manager for Floyd County Soil and Water Conservation and also with Purdue Extension, will be featured at a STEM Saturday session, discussing the role of food plots in land management, conservation and wildlife sustainability.

You’ll see how strategically planted food plots can support local ecosystems, improve soil health and attract beneficial wildlife. If you’re a landowner, hunter, conservationist, or just curious about sustainable agriculture, you’ll get valuable insights into the science behind food plots.

When: Saturday, March 29th, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Where: Novaparke, 111 Innovation Parkway, Georgetown, IN
Cost: FREE
Register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EADAD2DA1FFCF8-55199074-stem

Angel Jackson is a dedicated conservationist and educator. With expertise in sustainable land management, soil health, and agricultural practices, shen works closely with local landowners, farmers, and conservation groups to promote responsible environmental stewardship. Her passion for science and education makes her a leading voice in conservation efforts, helping communities implement effective strategies for soil preservation, wildlife support, and sustainable agriculture.

01/07/2025

Novaparke Innovation & Technology Campus will present two nature presentations in partnership with the Sam Shine Foundation this January as part of Novaparke’s “STEM Saturdays” series.

On Saturday, January 11, Sam Shine Foundation Executive Director CJ Jackson will discuss “Where Sustainability Meets Conservation,” including energy systems, development, and landscape-level conservation, and steps everyone can take to move toward sustainability. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/where-sustainability-meets-conservation-tickets-1133494625939?aff=oddtdtcreator

On Saturday, January 18, Sam Shine Foundation Conservation Director and Bird Program Lead Matt Williams will present “Winter Birds of Floyd County” to help people learn more about some common species they may see at their feeders or around their yard, and will also cover the work of the Foundation’s brand new bird conservation program. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-birds-of-floyd-county-tickets-1133511225589?aff=oddtdtcreator

Both sessions will take place from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Novaparke (111 Innovation Parkway, Georgetown, IN). These events are free and open to the public, but registration is requested.