Indiana Governor Mike Braun issued a proclamation declaring May 5-9 Small Business Week in Indiana, celebrating the impact Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses have on the state’s economy and communities.
Indiana is home to more than 569,500 small businesses that support more than 1.2 million Hoosier jobs.
“As a long-time entrepreneur and business owner, recognizing this week as Small Business Week in Indiana is a celebration I value firsthand,” said Gov. Braun. “Indiana’s entrepreneurs and small business owners work tirelessly day in and day out and have had a tremendous impact on the state’s economy as well as the neighborhoods and people around them. We are excited to recognize the commitment of not only these seven small businesses, but of all our Hoosier innovators that are setting the stage for a better future for Indiana.”
Under Gov. Braun’s leadership, Indiana is focused on cultivating a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. The state has been named No. 2 in the U.S. for starting a business by Forbes (2024) and was ranked as the No. 11 emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem in the U.S. in the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report from Startup Genome. In June, Indiana will host 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC 2025), serving as only the second U.S. destination to host the event since the inaugural convention in 2009.
“Small Business Week in Indiana is the perfect time to honor the contributions of our countless Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses and to showcase our commitment to accelerating Main Street innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Secretary of Commerce David J. Adams. “The seven businesses being recognized this week exemplify the spirit and the impact of Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing critical services for residents and contributing to the health and vibrancy of their surrounding neighborhoods.”
This week, the state of Indiana is recognizing seven Hoosier small businesses that have worked with the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a program of the state’s Commerce Office, to start, grow or pivot their small businesses. These awards, presented in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) National Small Business Week, honor the entrepreneurs' and small businesses' achievements and contributions to grow Indiana’s economy and strengthen communities across the state.
The 2025 honorees include:
Rural Small Business of the Year: 51 Bridges CrossFit
51 Bridges CrossFit in Rockville is more than a gym – it's a community inspiring health and wellness. After transforming their own lives through CrossFit, Jennifer and Mike Pendleton founded 51 Bridges CrossFit to help others do the same. The facility offers inclusive programs for all fitness levels, emphasizing functional movements and high-intensity workouts.
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