On today’s show I sat down with Chelsea Linder, VP of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at TechPoint, to preview the 27th annual Mira Awards (April 24 at the Palladium in Carmel), which spotlights Indiana’s digital economy across innovation, talent, and community.
Chelsea discusses TechPoint’s mission, talent programs like the externship, and how the Mira Awards evolved into a larger gala as the ecosystem grew, including the long-running Trailblazer Award and past standouts like Republic Airways and SEP.
She outlines new 2026 awards with CICP partners, including an Innovation with AI award and cross-industry innovation categories culminating in an overall Innovation of the Year.
She also highlights diverse finalists statewide, discusses founders’ challenges amid rapid AI-driven shifts in building, fundraising, and go-to-market strategy, and shares TechPoint resources like the Indiana Founders Network and the AI Innovation Network.
If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.
You are going to learn about:
The Mira Awards
TechPoint’s Mission and Externship Program
Mira Awards Finalists and Challenges They Face Because of AI
Thank you to our partners:
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance
Fire and Ice Café
Check out these great clips from the show:
00:00 AI Funding Snapshot
01:40 Mira Awards Preview
03:31 Origins of Mira Awards
04:16 TechPoint Mission Pillars
04:53 Extern Program and AI Shift
06:45 Early Winners and Big Institutions
08:30 Trailblazer Award Legacy
11:10 Standout Past Winners
15:16 Mira Night Experience
17:06 New Awards and CICP Partners
21:00 2026 AI Award Nominees
26:09 Founder Questions in AI Era
30:33 Founder and AI Networks
35:32 Tickets and Event Details
35:58 Favorite Award Category
36:21 Startup Nominees Rundown
37:34 AI and Sports Tech Picks
40:51 Rising Entrepreneur Spotlight
43:32 Tech Company of Year
47:39 Innovation Beyond Indy
49:40 Why Community Matters
51:30 Deal of the Year and VC Trends
56:04 Data as the New Moat
59:27 Indiana Q&A and Hidden Gems
01:03:49 How to Join
