The Titanic represents the iconic tale of what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. The tragedy is embodied in that instant when The Ship struck The Iceberg, killing over 1,500 passengers and crew. But while the iceberg may have represented the killing blow, what many do not realize is that the demise of the Titanic was in fact a result of a series of small decisions and missteps across a number of dimensions.

Tales of venture failure also often focus on the defining moment when a lost customer, a lack of investor dollars, or a product malfunction results in the death of a promising startup. But that failure is nearly always the result of a series of errors that were not obvious—problems that lurked beneath the surface—that were a consequence of navigating uncertainty in the early stages of development. These errors take the form of hidden non-financial debts that gradually weigh down the budding enterprise. While financial debts are obvious and easy to measure, the hidden debts we explore are obligations and barriers to success that are not as easy to identify.

In this session, we will explore the defining and pivotal decisions that “make or break” successful startups with insights from local entrepreneurs/investors. You will walk away with practical ideas about how to improve the likelihood of success.

Presenters:

Dr. M. Kim Saxton, Clinical Professor of Marketing at the IU Kelley School of Business, has over 30 years of marketing and market research experience, working with large corporations, startups and medium-sized businesses. Her research on market segmentation, branding, and venture ecosystems has received national recognition. Kim has won numerous school-wide teaching awards including the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence for all of the IU system. Currently, she is an Associate Editor on the Journal of Advertising Research. Kim has co-founded several startups including Diagnotes, a healthcare IT firm. Kim is also an active angel investor and advisor to high-potential startups. She is a member of the advisory board for PERQ and The Startup Ladies.

Dr. Todd Saxton, Associate Professor and Indiana Venture Faculty Fellow at the IU Kelley School of Business, is an award-winning professor of strategy and entrepreneurship. Todd has advised, helped launch, and invested in hundreds of startups spanning life sciences, software, sports, consumer products, and services. Todd serves on the board of multiple entrepreneurial ventures, including VisionTech Angel Partners, the largest angel investing group in Indiana, and Diagnotes, a venture- funded health IT firm he helped found. Todd co-founded the Indiana Chapter of SoPE in 2018, and took on the role of Vice President of Business Development for the Regenstrief Institute in 2019.

What is The Mill?

This free event is part of the The Mill - Bloomington’s center of gravity for innovators, remote workers, entrepreneurs, and creators. We completely renovated a 104-year-old building from the Showers Brothers Furniture Company and transformed it into a 19,000 square-foot coworking and incubator space. Already a major driver of innovation in our community, it is home to 25 companies and 200+ members. They’re helping us build the infrastructure for the 21st century - talent, capital, and training - to change the trajectory of our city.

You can find a full slate of all our events by clicking here. Sign up for The Mill's newsletter to stay up-to-date!

Location information:

To find us on Google maps: search "Dimension Mill." We are located across the street from Upland Brewing.

The Mill is at 642 N. Madison St, Bloomington, IN 47404.

Parking and Transportation:

Car: There is ample on-street parking around our building and a parking garage at 220 N Morton Street. Please note that the lots marked “Solution Tree,” while close to The Mill, are reserved for their employees only.

Bike: There is bike parking on the West and South sides of the building.

Bus: The #2 bus travels along Morton Street.