Our Responsibilities
OEI works with entrepreneurial support organizations, state agencies, educational institutions and community partners to reinforce Indiana's entrepreneurial ecosystem and support business success at every stage.
The office's key responsibilities include:
Developing and administering programs that support entrepreneurship, innovation, and small business growth
Coordinating state agencies, ecosystem partners, and funded entities
Enhancing the capacity of Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs)
Expanding access to resources, particularly in rural and underserved communities
Supporting entrepreneurial education across K-12 and higher education
Measuring outcomes and strengthening data systems to evaluate impact
Operating with an entrepreneurial mindset through continuous testing, learning, and adaptation
Meet Our Team
The Indiana Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is led by individuals committed to strengthening Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and helping communities create opportunities for business growth and innovation.
Brian Schutt
Director, Indiana Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Brian Schutt is the first Director of the Indiana Office of Entrepreneurship.
Before joining OEI, Brian was a two-time founder, advisor, and investor passionate about entrepreneurship's role in building vibrant communities. He co-founded Homesense Heating and Cooling, led the redevelopment of the 30,000-square-foot coworking space Refinery46 and has coached more than 200 entrepreneurs.
A Civic Renewal Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute and a member of its Leadership Network, Brian serves on multiple boards and was a monthly columnist for IBJ Forefront. He has also been recognized as an Indianapolis Business Journal Forty Under 40.
Brian lives in Carmel, Indiana, with his wife, three children, and dog.
Office Information
OEI partners with organizations across Indiana to strengthen local entrepreneurial ecosystems, expand access to resources, and support long-term business growth
LOCATION SUBHEAD
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555 W Street
Indianapolis, IN 000000
CONTACT INFO SUBHEAD
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Name of Contact
(555) 555-5555
email@yourname.com
Rachel leads work spanning strategic planning, budgeting, procurement, talent, interagency coordination and initiatives focused on entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Lucas works to align partners and strengthen the organizations that support Indiana’s entrepreneurs. A three-time founder, Lucas has built businesses from scratch and has mentored hundreds of founders across the state and beyond. He spent four years teaching entrepreneurship at Purdue University, judged student pitch competitions and guided early-stage companies through go-to-market strategy.
Lucas lives in Lafayette, Indiana, with his wife and son.
Kirk brings a history of tactical marketing implementation and account management to the OEI team. He has led national digital marketing campaigns, coordinated public communications for the rebrand of a professional sports franchise, and managed the marketing efforts during the brand consolidation of several companies in the medical manufacturing industry.
Kirk lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his wife and two dogs.
Jessica supports statewide efforts to strengthen Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through a focus on implementation through emerging technology and data-driven analysis. At OEI, she evaluates emerging technology pilots for programs that support Hoosier businesses, supports artificial intelligence-enabled workflow improvements, and researches insights to improve the state’s innovation landscape.
Jessica is originally from Carmel, Indiana, and is currently finishing her degree program at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Emma supports the operations behind OEI’s statewide work. She coordinates events and strategic convenings, supports event reporting and communications, and conducts policy research to strengthen OEI’s impact and improve government efficiency for Indiana’s entrepreneurs.
Emma is completing a dual B.S./MBA program at the University of Indianapolis, where she will earn her bachelor’s in finance and her master’s with a concentration in data analytics and AI.