By Dr. Jeff Bird—
MUNCIE, IN—The Innovation Connector plays a vital role in supporting business and entrepreneurial endeavors in Muncie and East Central Indiana. Its mission and vision are to support and assist new entrepreneurs with truly unique business ideas to turn their dreams into reality. The IC supports these efforts in a variety of ways with ongoing education, workshops, physical space, legal and financial support, and a collegial atmosphere of support and networking.
The Innovation Connector is led by Ted Baker, who serves as the Executive Director and CEO of the Center. Baker has been with the IC since 2010. The IC originally grew out of a relationship with William Skinner in 2002 and was originally located in a house on Marsh Street in Muncie adjacent to and donated by Ball State University. The first business moved into the IC in 2004, and the facilities grew to 3 houses on Marsh. An integral, parallel and associated occurrence in 2004 was the property that was the former Aero Forge becoming designated as a Certified Tech Park by the State of Indiana.
That property was developed over the next several years as the Forge was demolished, and Pathologists Associated and Whitinger and Company built new facilities in the Tech Park. Meanwhile, the IC moved to an interim facility in downtown Muncie in 2006 and soon thereafter the IC board of directors approved plans for the construction of a 15,000-square-ft facility to be located at the Ontario Place Certified Tech Park. The new facility was ready in 2009, and Bakercame on board as the Executive Director in 2010. The building expanded in 2013 by adding The Landing Zone as a dedicated co-working space. This expansion was supported by the Community Foundation. The IC now serves hundreds of businesses annually with a staff of 5.
The Innovation Connector has special programs to support local schools in its TechWise program, and support STEM learning for grades K-12. These students learn skills applicable to today’s work environment in high tech subjects, preparing the students for college and the new job markets. Multiple partners support the work of the IC including Ball State University and local philanthropic foundations.
Baker grew up in Decatur IN as one of several siblings. His father was a businessman. He was active in many activities in high school, including swimming, and when he graduated from high school, he matriculated to Ball State to study business and marketing and joined the swimming team. He recalls his college years fondly and had a great experience at BSU.
After graduation he held many jobs in business, first with American Design and Engineering where he met and was mentored by a hero in his professional life James Amos. Baker stayed in that company for 15 years in multiple roles. He then transitioned to a role with Ray Boltz Music for 8 years and concurrently founded Worldwide Technologies LLC and also began the Baker Business Group eventually owning 4 Sports Clip franchises in Muncie, Fishers, and Ft. Wayne. He transitioned to the East Central Small Business Development Center in Muncie in 2008 and moved to the Innovation Connector in 2010 to become its Executive Director. Baker has also been an Instructor of Entrepreneurship at Ball State University since 2011 in the Miller College of Business. He is also involved in many local boards.
Baker and the Innovation Connector offer a unique opportunity to grow small businesses and entrepreneurship locally with innovative approaches and a support network to help our economy grow and flourish.
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