By Ted Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.—
MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc., in partnership with Delaware County Economic Development, is pleased to announce the award designation as a Soft Landings site by the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA). A Soft Landings designation recognizes entrepreneur support organizations that ensure foreign businesses experience a “soft landing” when entering a new country and community to establish a business. Per the InBIA, “We recognize the rapid growth in the need for entrepreneur support organizations that can serve foreign companies. We have developed a global network of Soft Landings designated programs validated through a rigorous application and peer-review validation process.”
The Soft Landings designation is available to any entrepreneur support organization that demonstrates it has the resources and programming to meet the needs of foreign/non-domestic companies wanting to enter its markets. Designated Soft Landings locations can attract new clients by differentiating their programs designed to work with foreign companies interested in international expansion. Examples of some of these services include:
- Translation services
- Assistance in establishing banking and legal relationships
- Domestic market research and entry assistance
- Access to capital
- Intellectual property protection and patent assistance
- Help navigation of government regulations
- Help with import/export laws
- Help obtaining needed licenses, cultural training, and housing assistance
- Immigration and visa assistance
- Office and Facility Location Assistance
The Innovation Connector is one of only twenty designated Soft Landings sites in the USA and the only one in Indiana. Ted Baker, CEO/Executive Director of the Innovation Connector, notes, “The Soft Landings designation will play a significant role as we continue to attract foreign businesses into our community. Delaware County Economic Development has already attracted several new businesses to our community, including INOX, Clearline USA, and Trebi North America, with several other businesses currently in the process. The Innovation Connector is honored to assist with these efforts. Our center has provided office space and resources to these new businesses.” Baker indicated strong and impactful partnerships with Delaware County and the East Central Indiana Regional Planning District as key factors in applying for a Soft Landings designation. Brad Bookout, Director of Economic Development for Delaware County, is also proud of this partnership. “The Innovation Connector and Delaware County partnership is key to attracting foreign businesses to our community. The Soft Landings designation indicates that Delaware County has the resources and the processes to assist foreign entities in the United States. We realize we are still early in this initiative, but early successes show us the potential is high.”
For more information about the Soft Landings program, please contact Ted Baker at 765-285-4900 or email tbaker@innovationconnector.com.
About Innovation Connector, Inc.
Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. is the only full-service entrepreneurial support organization in East Central Indiana and part of the Ontario Place Certified Technology Park. Its mission is to foster job creation by providing guidance and entrepreneurial resources for individuals seeking to start businesses and for existing businesses to grow and thrive. Please visit: www.innovationconnector.com
