Genesis: Pathways to Success has been awarded a $40,000 grant through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s Community Collaboration Fund to support Ignite SEI: Fuel the Small Business Spark, a new regional conference designed to strengthen entrepreneurship and small business growth across Southeastern Indiana.
Ignite SEI will bring together entrepreneurs, small business owners, startups, community leaders, and resource partners from across different counties for a day of networking. The conference will focus on the unique opportunities and challenges facing rural businesses.
Scheduled to take place in Madison, Indiana, Ignite SEI will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, peer networking opportunities, a regional resource hub, and interactive experiences designed to inspire action and foster long-term business success. Registration is expected to open in late 2026, with the conference planned for April 2027.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for believing in the vision of Ignite SEI and investing in rural entrepreneurship,” said Lori Rennekamp, Entrepreneurial Program Coordinator for Genesis: Pathways to Success. “As a former small business owner, I experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to find the right resources, build meaningful connections, and even know where to turn for help. Ignite SEI was created to help fill those gaps by creating opportunities for inspiration, practical learning, and meaningful connections for entrepreneurs across Southeastern Indiana. I believe our region is strongest when our counties collaborate, learn from one another, and celebrate each other’s successes. My hope is that every attendee leaves energized, connected, and equipped with practical tools, meaningful relationships, and renewed confidence to grow their business and strengthen our regional economy.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has been instrumental in helping Genesis expand entrepreneurship opportunities across Southeastern Indiana. Through Community Collaboration Fund support, Genesis has launched programs that inspire future entrepreneurs, invest in emerging businesses, and connect rural business owners with the education, resources, and regional partnerships they need to thrive. Through initiatives like the Emerge: Young Innovators Summit, which introduces high school students to entrepreneurship and career opportunities, the D.I.C.E. Challenge Community Business Pitch Competition, which provides funding and mentorship to emerging businesses, and now Ignite SEI, which connects entrepreneurs with practical education, resources, and regional partnerships, Genesis is building a continuum of support that empowers innovators from their first ideas through long-term business growth while strengthening Southeastern Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The conference is being developed in partnership with the Indiana Small Business Development Center and the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce, along with additional regional stakeholders committed to supporting entrepreneurial growth and innovation.
Designed to celebrate the people, businesses, and ideas driving Southeastern Indiana’s economy, Ignite SEI will showcase success stories from across the region while equipping participants with strategies and connections that turn ideas into action.
The Community Collaboration Fund supports initiatives that strengthen regional partnerships and advance economic prosperity throughout Indiana. Through this investment, Ignite SEI will help expand access to entrepreneurial support systems, encourage collaboration across county lines, and foster a stronger ecosystem for small businesses in Southeastern Indiana.
If you would like to learn more about Genesis: Pathways to Success or have questions regarding our programming, please visit www.genesisp2s.org, email info@genesisp2s.org, call 812-933-1098, or visit 13 East George Street, Suite B, Batesville, IN 47006.