Innovators & Founders Guild
Building and keeping technology companies in Greater Lafayette
THE STRIKEPOINT SERIES
Catalytic capital, lit locally

Every year, one regional founder is launched with $10,000–$25,000 of community-backed capital.

Four gatherings a year build the relationships, scout the talent, and raise the award — then the Guild votes and writes the check. A deliberately local engine for ideas that stay and grow here.

START HERE NOV 2 CALL-OUT · 5:00 P.M.
Free to attend.
The first meeting is an open Call-Out — walk in, meet the room, and see what the Guild is about. Nothing to pay, nothing to sign, no commitment of any kind.
RSVP for Nov 2 →
4 meetings annually
$10–$25K community-funded award
1 founder launched per season
100% locally raised & awarded
ABOUT THE GUILD

The talent and ideas already exist here — what's missing is connection. Too often founders who start in Greater Lafayette leave for the coasts in search of community, capital, and contacts.

IFG, an Indiana non-profit company, exists to change that: a deliberately local community that brings the Lafayette business world and the University tech founder ecosystem into the same room, and gives emerging founders the relationships and early financing to build here instead.

FOUNDERS  fast, catalytic capital plus credibility and a built-in network of supporters.
MEMBERS  real engagement, a meaningful vote, and a potential opportunity to join in future financings.
COMMUNITY  a stronger regional ecosystem — jobs, innovation, and growth, right here.
HOW THE SERIES WORKS
Nov 2 5:00 p.m. CALL-OUT
Call-Out — Launch Mixer & Member Drive Open the season, recruit members, and name the meeting's sponsor. Free to attend.
Feb REVEAL
Founder Reveal This year's screened candidates are introduced; members sign on as mentors and scouts.
Apr EXPO
Founder Expo Candidates pitch from booths while members walk the floor, scout, and give feedback.
May SHOWCASE
Strikepoint Showcase Finalists pitch, members cast the binding vote, and the winner takes the award.
FOUNDER READINESS — candidates bring a working MVP, early traction, and a clear plan for how the award reaches a meaningful next milestone.
MEMBERSHIP & FUNDING
Student / Entrepreneur No cost INVITE ONLY, BY A MEMBER Access, networking, mentorship & expo scouting
Innovator & Founder $250 BINDING VOTE Guest pass, priority mentoring, Founding Backer status & founder roundtable
Sponsor Per meeting One business hosts each of the four meetings; full member benefits
$
Proceeds fund the award Every paid tier flows into the $10,000–$25,000 pool
4
One sponsor per meeting covers operations Four sponsorships a year keep the season running

Proceeds fund the award. The binding vote begins at Innovator & Founder; the Student / Entrepreneur tier is an invite-only access-and-scouting on-ramp.

You pay only if you choose a tier. The November 2 Call-Out is free to attend — come, meet the room, and decide afterward.

The winning founder must also sign a binding agreement governing use of funds and information rights before the award is disbursed.

FOUNDERS
JD
J. Eric Davis Co-founder, Innovators & Founders Guild LinkedIn →
DB
Dennis Barket Co-founder, Innovators & Founders Guild LinkedIn →
FOUNDING MEMBERS
KM
Kevin Meyer LinkedIn →
NS
Nate Smith LinkedIn →
SA
Sherine Abdelmawla LinkedIn →
AF
Amanda Findlay LinkedIn →
JT
Jason Tennenhouse LinkedIn →
LW
Lucas Woody LinkedIn →
SUPPORTERS
& SPONSORS
MatchBOX Coworking Studio Greater Lafayette Commerce Purdue Federal Credit Union
Two ways in — the season opens with the November 2 Call-Out at 5:00 p.m.
Free to attend.
MatchBOX Studios, 17 South 6th Street, Suite X, Lafayette, IN 47901
innovatorsandfoundersguild.org
RSVP for the Nov 2 Call-Out Sponsor a meeting