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Bloomington Campus

Bloomington Main Campus Affiliated Learning Sites

Cook Center for Entrepreneurship

Who We Are

The Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship at Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington provides practical tools and resources for students, engages the community, and fosters entrepreneurship in the region we serve.

Founded in 2010 to honor one of the region's most successful entrepreneurs, Bill Cook, the Cook Center embodies Mr. Cook’s philosophy of "ready, fire, aim" entrepreneurship by giving students and local residents the skills and resources they need to start and grow businesses.

Who We SERVE

Monroe, Morgan, Lawrence, Martin, Greene, Brown, Orange, and Owen Counties

CONTACT US

Troy Phelps, Assistant Director
Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship
501 N. Profile Parkway, Bloomington, IN 47404
812-330-6255 | tphelps13@ivytech.edu

Resources

Business Assistance

  • The Cook Center offers free business assistance to anyone in the south central Indiana region. Are you looking for advice on expansion, resources on funding partners, or just to engage with peers in your industry? Our advisors are ready to assist.

    We have a variety of programs and partners to ensure you have support no matter where you are in your journey. If you would like to meet with us, please complete the form below.

    Business Consultation Inquiry Form

Programs for the Community

  • The Cook Center Luncheon is an annual event that brings together nationally successful entrepreneurs and the community to talk about best practices in business growth and building entrepreneurial ecosystems. 

    LEARN MORE

  • The Duke it Out Business Pitch Competition, powered by Duke Energy, is an annual event for Ivy Tech entrepreneurship students that assists with taking the first steps toward starting a business. Pitches are made to a panel of judges and funding awards are made for winners taking first, second, and third place. 

  • Several new initiatives are underway including a Defense Accelerator and Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative. 

    For more information, contact Troy Phelps at tphelps13@ivytech.edu. 

Academic Programs Offered

  • Ivy Tech Bloomington offers an Entrepreneurship Certificate program where you can get your business idea off the ground. In two semesters, students gain the skills and resources needed to launch a successful startup or grow their existing business.

    This program is cohort-based and offered in partnership with Regional Innovation and Startup Education (RISE).

    Learn more