The Herald-Times
Posted: Thursday, September 24, 2015 6:51 am
Editorial staff
The annual Cook Institute for Entrepreneurship shines a light annually on the possibilities for those who follow their own idea down a path to success. Accomplished speakers share their experiences and leave those who hear them realizing that risk can often result in great reward.
Tuesday’s speaker was Scott Dorsey, who started the company ExactTarget in Indianapolis with two other guys and the help of investments from his family and friends. Original financing in 2000 was about $200,000.
In 2013, the company salesforce.com bought the firm for about $2.7 billion. The company has been integrated into a new division that’s been renamed Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
Dorsey told the crowd that keys to starting a company are perseverance and having strong enthusiasm for the business idea. Those were instrumental for the Cooks, Bill and Gayle, for whom the Cook Institute is named. They launched their medical device company from a small apartment on the east side of Bloomington into an international group of companies headquartered on the city’s west side.
This event always highlights what can happen to someone with an idea and the drive to see it through.
Who’s next?
Linked In | courtesy photo
Scott Dorsey
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
