The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center has continued to add start-up companies in its new facility as it nears its formal dedication this week.
Forward Engineering LLC moved in last month and is hoping to grow quickly. Jeff Cody, one of the company’s co-founders, said Forward Engineering could “graduate” and grow enough to move out of the Innovation Center in about a year or two and reach its company goals in about three years.
The company designs imbedded computer systems and software that can be used to collect data or for other functions. Cody said his firm can save time for companies’ software engineers.
“What we’re working on in conjunction is developing an architectural framework that clients can use for their (software) development,” he said. “This software architecture platform is something we’re looking to license to companies.”
Cody and the other co-founders, Matt Miller and Brian Bolinger, are looking to hire a fourth person. He said they chose the facility because it provides a professional atmosphere to meet with clients as well as business coaching.
Envisions Inc., an information technology and audio-visual equipment company, and RFID RP Global Technology Solutions, an identification technology company, also have moved into the business incubator at 3201 Stellhorn Road, near Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne.
The Stellhorn Road facility opened in September and now houses 10 companies. The Innovation Center also maintains a facility on Production Road that has another 14 companies, said President and CEO Karl LaPan.
There will be a formal dedication of the new building at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Included in the program is an expo at which center clients and tenants will have booths with information about their various companies.
“It’s a chance for people to walk through the facility and see all the amenities here,” LaPan said. “We’re just real excited about finally taking … the opportunity to celebrate it.”
