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About Cultivate Indy Small Business Lab

The Cultivate Indy Small Business Lab has a variety of resources for the community to utilize to start and grow their small business. Our small business lab and events are designed for Makers, Start-Ups, Nonprofits, and Small Businesses.

  • Makers – An individual who is involved in the DIY and technology-based cultures, as well as more traditional activities such as metalworking, woodworking, and arts and crafts. Makers are individuals who build, create, and develop new ideas.
  • Start-Ups -Are you someone looking to “start-up” your small business idea? This is the place to begin. Start-ups typically refer to a tech company that has a stellar business idea, with interest from big players in the industry that raises early rounds of capital, and uses that funding to prove their business model in the market. We at the Independence Public Library want to help you take your stellar business idea and see it to fruition.
  • Nonprofits A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in contrast with an entity that operates as a business aiming to generate a profit for its owners.
  • Growth – Do you have an already established small business, home-based or hand-made business? The Independence Public Library can help you scale and grow your initative.

Wanting to bring your idea to life? Discover how the Independence Public Library can help with our self-paced course in BeanStack. Download the app from your App Store. IPL will be launching new courses throughout the year so keep checking back!

Find out about the Independence Public Library’s upcoming small business and nonprofit workshops and events. IPL host a variety of workshops from organizations like Grow with Google and the regional Small Business Development Development Center.

Need help now, and can’t wait for the next class or event? Schedule a 1-on-1 appointment with library staff today!. We offer small business, grant writing/searching, and more. Our staff can help connect you with the resources you need to bring your ideas to life!

Browse our small business and entrepreneurial books today! Don’t have time to make it to the library to see our selection of Small Business books? Browse our digital shelf and place items on hold that can be picked up at your convenience.

Libraries Build Business an initiative of the American Library Association

The Independence Public Library received $68,927 from the American Library Association to build a small business lab and expand our programming to small businesses and entrepreneurs from low-income and underrepresented groups. The Independence Public Library is one of 13 public libraries around the country to receive this funding from Libraries Build Business (LBB), an initiative of the American Library Association funded by Google.org. “ ALA is thrilled to support and work collaboratively with the Independence Public Library and the entire LBB cohort,” said ALA Associate Executive Director Kathi Kromer. “We are impressed by the innovation and institutional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; the Independence Public Library has demonstrated in developing their small business offerings.”

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