What Conexus Indiana does

Conexus Indiana is a private, non-profit industry association designated as the advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Founded in 2007 and restructured under CICP as the state's official AML convening body in 2018, the organization is headquartered at the 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis and operates with approximately 15-20 staff. It convenes Indiana's AML stakeholders — manufacturers, logistics providers, educational institutions, philanthropic funders, and public-sector partners — to address two strategic challenges: Industry 4.0 technology adoption (robotics, automation, AI, additive manufacturing, IIoT) and workforce pipeline development across 530,000+ manufacturing and 160,000+ logistics jobs in a state where AML accounts for 37% of GDP and $724 billion in annual goods movement.

The organization's portfolio clusters around two pillars. On the technology side, Conexus administers the Manufacturing Readiness Grants (MRG) program in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Next Level Manufacturing Institute, which has deployed over 520 grants totaling $57 million to Indiana manufacturers; supporting assets include Industry Exchange Workshops, an AML AI Use-Case Catalog, and the AML Workforce Dashboard. On the talent side, the Industry Talent Association sets occupational standards, Catapult Indiana runs a 160-hour workforce training program (~90% job placement), and partnerships with Ivy Tech and INCAP enable apprenticeship pathways from high school through adult careers. The Advanced Industries Council (130+ member organizations meeting quarterly across Indiana's 92 counties), the Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award, and the Manufacturing Innovation Award co-presented with TechPoint at the Mira Awards serve as convening and recognition layers across both pillars.

Conexus is funded through corporate sponsorships (Taft, KSM, Huntington, Lauth, LEAF), philanthropic contributions (Lilly Endowment, JP Morgan Chase, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation), and public-sector grants (IEDC, Governor's Workforce Cabinet, Indiana Commission for Higher Education, Indiana DOC). It is led by President and CEO Jay Wirts (formerly EVP of Belden's $1.2B Smart Infrastructure Solutions business) with a board chaired by Scott Brand, President and COO of Subaru of Indiana Automotive. Its go-to-market is relationship-driven — direct outreach, council meetings, workshops, events, and grant applications — rather than commercial sales, consistent with its role as Indiana's designated AML convening body rather than a vendor.

Name

Conexus Indiana

Legal name

Conexus Indiana

Website

https://conexusindiana.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Conexus Indiana is a non-profit industry association and CICP initiative that accelerates Industry 4.0 adoption and talent development across Indiana's advanced manufacturing and logistics sectors through grants, workforce programs, peer councils, and research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Manufacturing & Logistics Industry Development Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Manufacturing (EDABALAP)

Keywords

• Advanced manufacturing association
• Workforce development programs
• Industry 4.0 adoption
• Logistics industry network
• Technology adoption grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Industry Partnership & Membership: Conexus Indiana generates value through industry partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and grant administration. The organization collaborates with more than 130 industry partners and is funded through corporate sponsors, philanthropic funders, and public-sector partners. Revenue supports technology adoption programs, workforce development, and industry council activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Conexus Indiana is a non-profit industry association that accelerates Indiana's advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) industries through technology adoption support, workforce development programs, industry networking, and research. It administers Manufacturing Readiness Grants for Industry 4.0 adoption, runs workforce training programs like Catapult Indiana, and convenes industry, education, and public-sector leaders through the Advanced Industries Council.

Product overview

Conexus Indiana is a non-profit industry association focused on advancing advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) in Indiana. The organization offers a portfolio of workforce development programs including the Industry Talent Association (ITA) for occupational standards development, Catapult Indiana for skills training, and Rising 30 for talent recognition. Its technology adoption support includes Manufacturing Readiness Grants, Industry Exchange Workshops, and the AML AI Use-Case Catalog. The organization also facilitates industry collaboration through the Advanced Industries Council and produces research through the Workforce Dashboard and various reports. These programs work together to help Indiana companies adopt Industry 4.0 technologies and develop skilled talent pipelines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Manufacturing Readiness Grants (MRG) Grant program administered in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Next Level Manufacturing Institute to help Indiana manufacturers adopt innovative, emerging Industry 4.0 technologies. More than 520 grants totaling $57 million have been awarded to Indiana companies to date.
• Catapult Indiana 160-hour workforce preparation program offering classroom work and hands-on simulations to prepare adults and high school students for careers in advanced manufacturing and logistics, delivered at multiple community locations throughout Indiana including Branchville, Gary, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Marion, Pendleton, and Wabash.
• Industry Talent Association (ITA) Employer-led workforce development initiative that establishes occupational standards for advanced manufacturing and logistics, aligning with Indiana's Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP) to connect education and workforce systems with employer needs.
• Advanced Industries Council Statewide council bringing together 130+ manufacturing, logistics, education, and public-sector organizations to discuss strategies for AML growth through quarterly meetings and working groups covering all of Indiana's 92 counties.
• Rising 30 Annual recognition program honoring 30 emerging leaders under age 30 in advanced manufacturing and logistics, showcasing talent and innovative thinking; launched in 2021 with the 2026 class marking the sixth annual cohort and 100+ total alumni.
• Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award Annual award presented to outstanding advocates for advanced manufacturing and logistics in Indiana, honoring leaders who demonstrate civic leadership, catalyze change, and champion the industry; launched in 2018.
• Manufacturing Innovation Award Annual award recognizing industrial firms that have demonstrated exceptional Industry 4.0 technology adoption, presented in partnership with TechPoint at the Mira Awards; launched in 2024.
• Industry Exchange Workshops One-day workshops for small and mid-sized companies providing practical strategies and a structured approach to evaluating, prioritizing, and sequencing technology adoption projects, held at various locations throughout Indiana.
• AML AI Use-Case Catalog Catalog compiling real AI projects submitted by Indiana AML companies, including what they built, what it cost, and the results achieved, designed to help companies explore AI possibilities and benchmark progress.
• Workforce Dashboard Interactive dashboard providing comparative strength data on Indiana's advanced manufacturing and logistics industries, growth opportunities, and future workforce projections.

Quantifiable outcome

• 520+ Manufacturing Readiness Grants totaling $57M have been awarded to Indiana manufacturers
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICP is Conexus Indiana's parent organization, fostering growth and innovation in crucial sectors of Indiana's economy. CICP identifies and supports five talent and industry sector initiatives including advanced manufacturing and logistics (Conexus), agbiosciences (AgriNovus), talent and workforce (Ascend), life sciences (BioCrossroads), and technology (TechPoint). Conexus is one of five initiatives under CICP.
• Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConexus partners with the IEDC to administer Manufacturing Readiness Grants for Indiana manufacturers adopting Industry 4.0 technologies. The IEDC also co-presents the TechPoint Mira Awards where the Manufacturing Innovation Award is announced.
• Next Level Manufacturing InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConexus partners with the Next Level Manufacturing Institute alongside the IEDC to offer Manufacturing Readiness Grants to Indiana manufacturers.
• Ivy Tech Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIvy Tech is a key education partner for workforce development, adapting course offerings to meet the needs of Lippert and other Conexus partner companies. Ivy Tech serves as the related technical instruction provider for apprentices in the INCAP system and offers the first Industry 4.0 associate degree.
• 16 Tech Innovation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConexus Indiana's office is located at 16 Tech, a 50-acre innovation district in Downtown Indianapolis. The district is described as the epicenter of innovation where emerging enterprises and existing companies grow and thrive.
• TechPointcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConexus partners with TechPoint to present the Manufacturing Innovation Award at the annual Mira Awards gala, Indiana's largest and most prestigious technology awards. TechPoint is also another CICP initiative.
• TechPoint Mira AwardscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Mira Awards are Indiana's largest and most prestigious technology awards, now in their 27th year with 276 people, products, companies, and places honored. Conexus co-presents the Manufacturing Innovation Award at this event.
• Advanced Industries Council (130+ partner organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Conexus Indiana Advanced Industries Council is a statewide group of leaders representing AML industry, education, philanthropy and the public sector. With quarterly meetings and working groups, it is Conexus's primary collaborative body. Council partners span companies of all sizes across all of Indiana's 92 counties.
• Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINCAP is an employer-led apprenticeship system blending classroom learning with paid, on-the-job training starting in high school and extending into adult career advancement. The AML ITA is INCAP's employer engagement body.
• AgriNovus IndianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgriNovus Indiana is one of five CICP sector initiatives alongside Conexus, focused on agbiosciences. Both operate under the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership.
• Ascend IndianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAscend Indiana is one of five CICP sector initiatives focused on talent and workforce development, operating alongside Conexus under the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership.
• BioCrossroadscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioCrossroads is one of five CICP sector initiatives focused on life sciences, operating alongside Conexus under the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership.
• Robotic Solutions LLCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerA technology integrator that partnered with Jasper Group to implement MiR Mobile Robot 600 autonomous mobile robots for material handling in the Orleans, Indiana furniture manufacturing plant.
• Guide EngineeringminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerA technology integrator from Fort Wayne, Indiana that partnered with Smoker Craft to design a custom multi-robot cobot welding system for pontoon assembly, with no equivalent system in the world.
• Export Indiana Accelerator Program (EIAP) / Indiana SBDCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe EIAP is an annual 12-week program providing professional export guidance and resources, valued at over $10,000 in expert professional services, helping small businesses like Starlight Distillery expand nationally and internationally.
• Governor's Workforce CabinetmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConexus team member PJ McGrew was the inaugural Executive Director of the Governor's Workforce Cabinet, established in 2018. The cabinet shapes Indiana's workforce policies and is aligned with Conexus's talent development initiatives.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Michigan Manufacturers Association: Michigan statewide trade association serving industrial members with advocacy, workforce, and training services. Functionally parallel to Conexus in another Midwest manufacturing-heavy state with analogous automotive and supplier base.
• AgriNovus Indiana: Another CICP sector initiative focused on Indiana's agbiosciences industry, structurally identical to Conexus with shared leadership model, sponsors, and state-level economic-development mandate. Direct sibling for purposes of benchmarking operating model.
• BioCrossroads: Fifth CICP initiative focused on Indiana's life sciences sector. Peer through shared parent (Central Indiana Corporate Partnership), common governance, and analogous role as statewide industry convener and program administrator.
• Ohio Manufacturers' Association: State-level manufacturing industry association providing advocacy, workforce, and innovation services to Ohio manufacturers. Closest comparable peer outside Indiana — same sector, same membership-association model, different geography.
• Ascend Indiana: CICP's talent-and-workforce initiative focused on connecting Hoosiers to employers across industries. Peer in convening model, funding sources, and program design; one of five CICP sector initiatives side-by-side with Conexus.
• TechPoint Indiana: A sister CICP sector initiative focused on Indiana's technology industry, sharing parent organization, board leadership, and the Mira Awards co-presentation with Conexus. Operates the same industry-association model targeting tech employers in Indiana.

Broad incumbents

• Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network: Federally funded network of centers providing small and mid-sized U.S. manufacturers with technology adoption, workforce, and growth services. Provides the national template Conexus replicates at the state level via its MRG and Industry Exchange Workshop programs.
• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): The largest U.S. manufacturing trade association, advocating for manufacturers at the federal level. Conexus operates as a state-level equivalent within Indiana, serving overlapping purposes around policy, workforce, and innovation but constrained to a single state.

Others

• Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME): National non-profit association for manufacturing excellence practitioners, focused on lean, Industry 4.0, and operational transformation. Provides national benchmark content and conferences that complement rather than compete with Conexus's state-level Industry 4.0 adoption work.

Regional players

• Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce: Wisconsin's combined state chamber of commerce and manufacturers' association, addressing manufacturing workforce and policy priorities. Comparable as a state-level industry convener, though it bundles broader chamber responsibilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/conexus_in
• Facebookfacebook.com/ConexusIN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/conexus-indiana
• Instagraminstagram.com/conexus_indiana

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Conexus Indiana