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INDIANA UNIVERSITY
Bloomington
Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Transforming ideas into impact

Innovation at IU Bloomington goes beyond the lab. Researchers and entrepreneurs collaborate with Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµs and industry partners to launch companies, grow industries, strengthen the economy, and bring about change.

Innovation starts with discovery—and goes further

Innovation at IU Bloomington is built on a foundation of research, collaboration, and real-world application. Faculty, Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµs, and partners work across disciplines to turn ideas into solutions that improve lives and create economic opportunity.

From early-stage concepts to scalable ventures, IU supports the full innovation lifecycle—through mentorship, funding, industry partnerships, and programs designed to move ideas forward.

As part of IU’s 2030 vision, Bloomington is expanding its role as a driver of entrepreneurship, technology development, and workforce innovation across Indiana and beyond.

Research Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ using a pipette to transfer liquid into a tube while working in a laboratory with scientific equipment and supplies.

Driving bioscience innovation

The Indiana University Launch Accelerator for Biosciences (IU LAB) is where breakthrough life science discoveries are being transformed into real-world applications.

IU LAB collaborates with some of Indiana's key bioscience organizations to drive advancements and commercialization while helping Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµs prepare to impact the growing sector.

IU LAB is focused on research and innovation related to five disease areas:

  • Diabetes and obesity
  • Neuroscience
  • Rare diseases
  • Cancer
  • Bone engineering and regenerative medicine

The goals for IU LAB are to strengthen the state's life science ecosystem, accelerate commercialization of innovative solutions, foster collaboration, and train future bioscience leaders and entrepreneurs.

Advancing discovery at every stage

Startups & entrepreneurship

At Indiana University, research is conducted for impact. Discoveries on campus solve real problems and improve lives for people across Indiana and around the world.

IU Innovates is the front door for aspiring Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ, faculty, and staff entrepreneurs, supporting their ventures by providing access to research microgrants and incubators, opportunities to be mentored, and introductions to peer networks.

In addition to dedicated staff focused on developing a culture of collaboration, IU Innovates includes:

  • Founders in Residence, who are IU alumni who host workshops, create programming, and meet 1-on-1 with Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµs.
  • Community Managers, who are current IU Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµs who provide support and mentorship while helping guide Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµs through the IU entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Industry & community partnerships

A discovery goes nowhere if it doesn't solve a problem. We rely on research initiatives, corporate partnerships, and government collaboration to connect research to real-world needs and deliver solutions with lasting impact.

The IU Innovation and Commercialization Office (ICO) connects faculty, industry, and the entrepreneurial community in Indiana to help move research and ventures into the marketplace.

IU Inc.

IU Inc. is a nonprofit entity designed to expand and strengthen partnerships between the university, industry, startups, and government agencies. The organization reduces barriers to collaboration with the goal of more rapidly transforming discovery into impact.

IU Inc. will help enhance collaboration opportunities between IU Research, entrepreneurs, and potential partners, expanding opportunities for faculty, Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµs, and staff to advance life-changing research.

An entrepreneurship ecosystem is only as strong as the connections between its people and resources.

Julie Heath
IU Innovates Executive Director