What Ascend Indiana does

Ascend Indiana is a statewide workforce development initiative founded in 2016 and headquartered in Indianapolis as an operating arm of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) Foundation. It connects K-12 students, postsecondary learners, educators, employers, and policymakers around Indiana's advanced industries (advanced manufacturing, agbiosciences, life sciences, and technology), aiming to close a documented talent gap in a state where 72% of U.S. jobs will require post-high-school training by 2031 yet only 39% of Indiana adults hold an associate degree or higher. Its core product is the Ascend Network, an online job-matching platform hosting 40,000+ Indiana job and internship listings with daily updates, salary filtering, and one-click apply functionality, supplemented by the Workforce Council (quarterly cross-sector employer convenings), an Intermediary Directory of 21+ regional partners covering all Indiana counties, the Student-Led Business Toolkit co-developed with the Indiana Department of Education, and a Training Plan/Partnership Agreement template aligned to new diploma-seal requirements.

The organization serves three primary segments—students and families, educators and academic influencers, and industry/employer partners—plus secondary nonprofit and government audiences. Distribution combines a self-serve platform, direct employer engagement through the Workforce Council, and a regional channel of intermediaries (chambers of commerce, workforce boards, education service centers). Ascend generates revenue primarily through philanthropic grants (notably $6M from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation in 2022 for the Modern Youth Apprenticeship program, $4M from the same foundation in mid-2022, and $2.4M from Lilly Endowment and the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust in 2018), with no fees charged to job seekers or employers for core services. Notable employer and education partners include Eli Lilly, Community Health Network, Parkview Health, The Heritage Group, Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue University, Ball State University, Indiana University Indianapolis, and the University of Indianapolis, among others.

Name

Ascend Indiana

Legal name

CICP Foundation

Website

https://ascendindiana.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ascend Indiana is a nonprofit workforce development initiative of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership that connects Indiana K-12 students, educators, employers, and policymakers through its Ascend Network job board (40,000+ listings), Workforce Council, and regional intermediary network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Career Services & Job Placement Platforms (Jobs, Recruiting, Employer Networks) (EDAFAMAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL), Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE), Career & College Readiness Platforms (Guidance, Planning, Scholarships) (EDAJAMAO)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Job matching platform
• Talent pipeline programs
• Work-based learning
• Apprenticeship program management

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary funding from grants including $6 million grant from Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation to expand the Modern Youth Apprenticeship (MAP) program. Funding also from Indiana Soybean Alliance for agriculture internship programs.
2. CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership Support: Ascend is an initiative of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), which provides organizational support and strategic alignment with Indiana's advanced industries sector initiatives.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ascend Indiana operates the Ascend Network job-matching platform with 40,000+ Indiana listings and delivers workforce development programs that connect employers, educators, students, and policymakers around work-based learning, apprenticeships, internships, and career exploration. It also produces toolkits (Student-Led Business Toolkit, Training Plan templates), research publications, and an Advanced Industry Dashboard, all coordinated through the Workforce Council and a 21+ regional intermediary network spanning Indiana.

Product overview

Ascend Indiana operates as a workforce development initiative offering a unified platform centered around the Ascend Network—a job-matching portal with over 40,000 Indiana job listings. The portfolio includes Work-Based Learning Programs connecting students with employer-based experiences, an Intermediary Directory facilitating regional partnerships across Indiana's 92 counties, and resource products like the Student-Led Business Toolkit and Training Plan templates developed in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education. The Workforce Council serves as an employer engagement network, while the Advanced Industry Dashboard provides labor market research intelligence. All offerings are coordinated under the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) umbrella to serve employers, educators, and job seekers across Indiana's advanced industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ascend Network A free online job board with 40,000+ Indiana job and internship listings, updated daily. Allows job seekers to view in-demand advanced industry roles, filter by salary, and apply with one click. Employers can post opportunities and access candidate matching.
• Work-Based Learning Programs Structured programs connecting Indiana students with employers through internships, youth apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and DOL Registered Apprenticeships. Includes the Modern Youth Apprenticeship (MAP) program in Marion County and employer partnership coordination.
• Workforce Council A statewide network of cross-sector Indiana employers who convene quarterly to solve workforce challenges through working groups and access to actionable data and research insights. Membership provides a direct channel for pipeline development and cross-employer collaboration.
• Student-Led Business Toolkit An implementation toolkit with step-by-step guidance, examples, and design considerations for schools to establish student-operated enterprises that meet Indiana's work-based learning graduation requirements. Covers School-Based Enterprise, Workplace Simulation, and Student Entrepreneurial Experience models.
• Student-Led Business Resources A published research case report and resource library documenting the impact and models of student-led businesses, including School-Based Enterprise, Workplace Simulation, and Student Entrepreneurial Experience models.
• Advanced Industry Dashboard An interactive dashboard created by CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) providing economic impact data across Indiana's advanced industries, including technology, advanced manufacturing, agbioscience, and life sciences.
• Intermediary Directory A statewide online directory connecting employers and schools with 21+ regional intermediaries—chambers of commerce, workforce boards, and education service centers—that coordinate K-12 work-based learning across Indiana counties.
• Training Plan & Partnership Agreement Template Required documentation templates for managing work-based learning experiences, co-developed by Ascend and the Indiana Department of Education to help schools meet state graduation requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 400 students expected to participate in MAP program over three years through $6M grant
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EmployIndycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2022Co-recipient with Ascend Indiana of $6 million grant from Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation to expand the Modern Youth Apprenticeship (MAP) program in Marion County. EmployIndy develops career-connected learning systems in Marion County by coordinating employer engagement, work-based learning programming, and youth career pathways.
• CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Ascend is an initiative of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), which fosters growth and innovation in Indiana's economy. CICP launched Ascend Indiana in 2016 to strengthen the talent pipeline for key sectors including advanced manufacturing, agbiosciences, life sciences, and technology. CICP's sector initiatives (AgriNovus Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, TechPoint) collaborate with Ascend on talent development.
• Indiana PorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit representing 2,800+ Indiana farmers partnered with Ascend to engage students in pork production through work-based learning internships. Ascend helped structure the program and facilitate employer-educator alignment.
• Community Health NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Ascend to build Behavioral Health Academy, a talent pipeline producing licensed therapists with dual master's degrees. Ascend facilitated alignment between Community, IU Indianapolis, and University of Indianapolis. Program replicated at 15+ school sites.
• Parkview HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Fort Wayne Community Schools to provide hands-on healthcare career exploration through mobile simulation bus and career fairs for middle school students. Parkview provides career planning and pathway mapping.
• Fort Wayne Community SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Parkview Health to expand career exploration programs. Launched Freshman Schools of Success and extended to middle school students through collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne.
• DANNARminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuncie-based advanced manufacturing company offers internship program for high school and college students. Despite having only 26 employees, hosted 7 interns in one summer. Founder Gary Dannar envisioned building people as part of core values.
• The Heritage GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Indiana employer offering high school work-based learning through Pillars of Potential (4-week paid summer program) and work study programs. Partnership with Providence Cristo Rey High School corporate work study program. 24 students participated to date.
• Providence Cristo Rey High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic college and career preparatory high school in Indianapolis serving students with economic need. Partnership with The Heritage Group for corporate work study program.
• Questa Education FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNortheast Indiana nonprofit helping students access postsecondary education with less debt. Questa Scholars Program provides funding that combined with school aid can result in 'net zero' cost for students, with up to 75% loan forgiveness for working in Northeast Indiana.
• White River Valley High School / Wolverine EnterprisesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent-led business program featuring 6 enterprises operated by students, earning $62,000 in 2023-24. Approximately 90% of juniors and seniors participate. Students are paid for their work and can earn certifications.
• Brown County SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Student-Led Business Toolkit development; represented on Student-Led Business Steering Committee.
• Career Academy Network of Public SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Bend Manufacturing student-led business; represented on Student-Led Business Steering Committee. Bend Manufacturing works with industry and research partners delivering work that reaches as far as NASA.
• Indian Creek SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Student-Led Business Toolkit development; Creek Cattle Company student-led business supplies school cafeteria; represented on Student-Led Business Steering Committee.
• Lincoln Middle/High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Student-Led Business Toolkit development; represented on Student-Led Business Steering Committee.
• Perry Central Community SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Student-Led Business Toolkit development; Commodore Manufacturing student-led business produces work for industry partners; represented on Student-Led Business Steering Committee.
• Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional intermediary in Bloomington helping schools and employers understand requirements, building partner capacity, and coordinating programs across 11 counties in southern Indiana. Partner for Student-Led Business Toolkit development.
• Eli Lilly and CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Indiana employer; Dedric Day (Senior Director, Strategic Talent Partnerships) serves on Ascend Board. Won 2026 Talent Innovation Award with Ivy Tech and Purdue for STEM talent pipeline. Partnership includes Lilly Scholars program and workforce-aligned training across institutions.
• Ivy Tech Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWon 2026 Talent Innovation Award with Eli Lilly and Purdue for STEM talent pipeline. Campuses in Indianapolis, Bloomington, and Lafayette participate in workforce-aligned training programs.
• Purdue UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWon 2026 Talent Innovation Award with Eli Lilly and Ivy Tech for STEM talent pipeline. David Umulis (Chief Academic Officer) serves on Ascend Board. Campuses in West Lafayette and Indianapolis participate.
• AgriNovus IndianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICP sector initiative focused on agbiosciences; partners with Ascend on talent development for agriculture industry. Field Atlas program connects students to agbiosciences careers.
• BioCrossroadscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICP sector initiative focused on life sciences; partners with Ascend on talent pipeline development for Indiana's life sciences sector.
• Conexus IndianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICP sector initiative focused on advanced manufacturing and logistics; partners with Ascend on workforce development for manufacturing sector.
• TechPointcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICP sector initiative focused on technology; partners with Ascend on tech talent pipeline development. Co-host of Mira Awards where Talent Innovation Award was presented.
• STARTedUP FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization helping students turn problem-solving into entrepreneurship; featured as Student-Led Business SuperStar demonstrating how student-led ventures can spark purpose and innovation.
• Indiana Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped work-based learning resources including Training Plan Template and Companion Guide in partnership with the Department. Student-led businesses meet state's approved WBL requirements for new diploma seals.
• Network for Teaching EntrepreneurshipminorOthersResearch cited indicates 94% of students in its entrepreneurship programs were on track to graduate, compared to less than 80% of peers.
• Indiana University IndianapoliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner with University of Indianapolis for Behavioral Health Academy dual master's degree program. Marie Mackintosh (Vice Chancellor, Workforce & Community Engagement) serves on Ascend Board.
• University of IndianapoliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner with IU Indianapolis for Behavioral Health Academy dual master's degree program producing therapists licensed in both social work and clinical addictions counseling.
• Indiana Constructors, Inc. (ICI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports Work IN Roads program which includes Women IN Roads initiative led by Amy Henningfield (Superior Construction) and Merideth Hughes (Milestone). ICI Director of Talent Development Eric Fisher launched Women IN Roads.
• Women IN RoadsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative under Work IN Roads program focused on empowering young women to pursue careers in heavy civil construction through mentorship, education, and hands-on experiences including summer camps.
• Hub19minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional intermediary for Dubois County connecting schools, employers, and community partners. Coordinates career-connected learning experiences, leads county career counselor network, and developed countywide WBL manual.
• Ball State University County Ambassador ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent-to-student engagement program empowering students to share community pride and encourage peers to consider working in Indiana. Half of Indiana's counties engaged with 30+ student ambassadors.
• AgriNovus Indiana Field AtlasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram providing peer-to-peer support to help students discover careers in agbiosciences. Cameron Weber served as Field Atlas ambassador helping other students see themselves in agriculture.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Year Up: Year Up is a national workforce development nonprofit providing year-long training and corporate internships for young adults, addressing the same talent-pipeline-for-employers problem Ascend solves but at a much larger scale and through a direct-training rather than intermediary model.
• Opportunity@Work: Opportunity@Work is a nonprofit focused on expanding career opportunities for STARs (workers skilled through alternative routes), sharing Ascend's emphasis on non-degree pathways and employer engagement but with a national policy and employer certification focus.
• Braven: Braven is a national career-accelerator nonprofit partnering with universities and employers to prepare college students for career-track employment, comparable in mission to Ascend's work-based learning and postsecondary pipeline work but focused on a student-population segment.
• America Succeeds: America Succeeds is a nonprofit working at the intersection of education, industry, and policy to align talent pipelines with employer demand — analogous to Ascend's CICP-driven employer alignment work but operating at a multistate policy level.

Direct peers

• EmployIndy: EmployIndy is the Marion County workforce development board and a co-recipient with Ascend of the $6M Fairbanks Foundation MAP grant, directly overlapping in geographic scope (Indianapolis), employer engagement model, and youth apprenticeship programming.
• Skillful: Skillful is a Markle Foundation initiative that operates a state-level workforce platform connecting employers, job seekers, and training providers, with skills-based hiring tools and labor-market data products — a structurally analogous model to Ascend Indiana's employer-educator-jobseeker convening approach.
• Apprenti: Apprenti is a registered apprenticeship intermediary that recruits, trains, and places candidates into tech and advanced-industry apprenticeships, mirroring Ascend's DOL Registered Apprenticeship pathways and MAP-style earn-and-learn models for career-seekers.

Broad incumbents

• Jobs for the Future (JFF): JFF is a large national nonprofit driving workforce transformation through research, policy, and program design, broadly overlapping with Ascend's workforce development, apprenticeship, and employer-educator alignment mission at a much larger and more diversified scale.
• National Fund for Workforce Solutions: The National Fund is a national workforce intermediary that convenes employers, funders, and workforce organizations to advance demand-driven talent solutions — overlapping Ascend's employer-council and intermediary-driven approach but operating across multiple states.

Regional players

• CareerSource Florida / State Workforce Boards: CareerSource Florida and similar state-level workforce development boards perform analogous functions — employer engagement, job matching, apprenticeship coordination, and training program administration — but in different geographies than Ascend, making them regional analogs rather than direct Indiana competitors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ascend Indiana