Build. Grow. Thrive.
Supporting Howard County
entrepreneurs with the tools,
programs, and partnerships
to help them succeed.
Through Inventrek, the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance offers programs and resources to help local entrepreneurs scale responsibly, connect with expert partners, and access the tools they need for sustainable growth.
SEE LEVEL UP IN ACTION! Curious about who’s participating in the Level Up Business Branding program and how the program is helping local businesses grow? Click here to read our blog and see past and current recipients.
LevelUp program is empowering local businesses to take the next step
Level Up Business Branding is a 12-month initiative designed to give small businesses in Howard County access to high-quality, professional marketing services. Funded through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s Community Collaboration Fund, the program helps selected businesses define their brand, grow their reach, and scale with confidence.
Through the Greater Kokomo Alliance’s partnership with Vision Studio, a creative agency and strategic satellite partner of Inventrek Tech Park, participants will have an opportunity to receive tailored marketing support, such as:
• Business introduction videos
• Product photography
• Strategic branding consultations
• Custom marketing collateral
Each month from July 2025 through June 2026, 1 to 2 businesses will be selected to participate in the program. Participants will work closely with the Alliance, Vision Studio, and other support partners to choose the services that best meet their goals.
To be considered, businesses must be based in Howard County, have fewer than 100 employees, and be operational or very near launch. They should demonstrate market potential and a readiness to grow, but lack internal marketing staff or resources. Participants must also be involved in local entrepreneurial programming or be willing to become engaged.
How can this program benefit your business?
Watch the video below to find out!
Linked to the Future series
A series of master classes that help small businesses connect to valuable resources.
The Linked to the Future series is a growing platform of entrepreneur-focused education, support, and resource-building programs aimed at strengthening Kokomo’s small business community.
The next LTF session — Canva 201: Designing with Confidence — is set for Wednesday, May 20, from 1-2:30 p.m. at Inventrek Tech Park.
About this session:
In this follow-up to Canva 101, we’ll pick up where we left off and focus on turning good templates into polished, on-brand designs.
Canva 201: Designing with Confidence will be led by Misty Knisely, manager of marketing and communication for the Alliance. In this session, you’ll learn how to confidently customize templates, make smart design decisions, and prepare your work for sharing or print. We’ll also introduce simple branding techniques to help your designs look consistent and professional.
This session is perfect for anyone who understands the basics of Canva and is ready to start creating with more intention and control. You didn’t have to attend Canva 101 to be here, but this session will make a lot more sense if you already know your way around Canva — especially how to find and open templates.
There is no cost but advance reservation is required.
Cost to attend?
Completely free.
Registration?
Register to attend here.
THE FOUNDER FORUM
The Founder Forum is a monthly gathering designed to connect local entrepreneurs, small-business owners, and founders in an open, supportive environment. Each session includes guided discussion, peer problem-solving, and opportunities to share wins, challenges, and practical insights from running a business.
The forum was born out of the Linked to the Future masterclass series, where participants consistently asked for more opportunities to stay connected after the sessions ended. In response, Inventrek Tech Park and Vision Studio partnered to create an ongoing space where founders could continue learning from one another, building relationships, and supporting each other through the realities of business ownership.
This collaboration between Inventrek Tech Park and Vision Studio also extends to the Level Up Business Branding Program, another initiative that grew from the Linked to the Future series and focuses on helping businesses strengthen their brand and messaging. Together, these programs reflect a shared commitment to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
Whether you’re launching a new idea or growing an established venture, the Founder Forum provides a place to build community, exchange resources, and gain fresh perspectives from fellow business owners. Conversations are informal and participant-driven, with topics shaped by the needs of the group.
The Founder Forum meets on the first Wednesday of every month from noon to 1 p.m. at a different location throughout Kokomo and Howard County. The links below provide details for each upcoming session, including the monthly location, date, and — when available — planned discussion topics as the meeting approaches.
Together, we are making Indiana stronger
The Level Up program is a collaborative effort by forward-thinking organizations.
