What Flagship Accelerator Program does

Flagship Enterprise Center is a nonprofit business incubator and economic development organization founded in 2003 through a public-private partnership between the City of Anderson and Anderson University in Indiana. The organization operates as an integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem across four campuses totaling 260,000+ square feet, offering SBA-certified microloans through its Bankable subsidiary ($500 to $250,000), business coaching and consulting, flexible physical workspace (coworking, private offices, manufacturing facilities, shared kitchen, podcast studio), educational programming (GrowthWheel OnDemand, Food Truck University, Side Hustle University), and community events including an annual Flagship Pitch competition with prize packages worth up to $25,000. Flagship holds dominant market share within Indiana's SBA microlending landscape, accounting for 82% of all SBA microloans in the state and ranking as the second leading SBA microlender in the nation, with authorization to operate across 29 Indiana counties.

The organization generates revenue through multiple streams: SBA-backed microloan origination and servicing fees, facility rental income (coworking memberships, office and manufacturing leases, conference room and event space rentals), professional services revenue from business consulting, and operating grants from the SBA, PNC Bank, and Old National Bank Foundation. Customer segments are diverse and distributed across entrepreneurs, small business owners, minority/women/veteran-owned businesses (over 200 served), growing businesses requiring physical space, advanced manufacturing companies, and part-time entrepreneurs. Flagship reports 5,100+ jobs created or sustained and 1,450+ startups served since 2014, with startups in its portfolio collectively raising nearly $550 million in capital. The company is governed by a Board of Directors, led by CEO Dr. Terry Truitt since June 2019, and has no parent company or external equity ownership.

The go-to-market model combines community-led engagement (events, pitch competitions, podcast), direct relationship-based business development, and event-driven outreach (Flagship Pitch, SHIFT). Distribution is primarily regional/central Indiana, with lending operations radiating across 29 counties from the Anderson headquarters. Strategic positioning emphasizes inclusive entrepreneurship, with explicit focus on underserved populations (women, minorities, veterans) and on post-industrial economic revitalization following the decline of Anderson's manufacturing base.

Name

Flagship Accelerator Program

Legal name

Flagship Enterprise Center

Website

https://flagshipenterprise.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Flagship Enterprise Center is a nonprofit business incubator and SBA-certified microlender in Anderson, Indiana, providing microloans ($500-$250,000), coworking and manufacturing space, and business coaching to entrepreneurs across 29 Indiana counties, holding 82% of Indiana's SBA microloan market share.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Incubation and Small Business Lending

NAICS

Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Equipment & Asset Finance (SME) (FSAKAGAF), Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building) (BPAGALAJ), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Financial Literacy, Budgeting & Personal Finance (EDAMAHAE)

Keywords

• Business incubation services
• SBA microloans
• Coworking and office space
• Entrepreneurship support programs
• Business consulting and coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Anderson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Business Lending / Microloans: SBA-backed microlending program offering loans from $500 to $250,000 for small businesses. Bankable works with entrepreneurs to build credit, secure capital, and grow sustainable business foundations. Fees earned on loan origination and servicing.
2. Facility Rental: Revenue from renting coworking spaces, private offices, manufacturing facilities, conference rooms, shared kitchen time, and podcast studio access on membership or hourly basis.
3. Event & Conferencing Services: Rental income from auditorium (capacity 150), conference rooms, and studio spaces for events, seminars, employee training, hiring fairs, and conferences. Rates vary for weekday vs. evening/weekend usage.
4. Business Consulting Services: Expert business coaching, consulting, and advisory services provided to clients. Includes marketing support, financial literacy, branding, and management consulting.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Flagship Enterprise Center operates a nonprofit business incubator and accelerator in Anderson, Indiana, providing entrepreneurs with SBA-backed microloans through its Bankable program (loans from $500 to $250,000), flexible physical workspace (coworking, private offices, manufacturing, conferencing, shared kitchen, podcast studio), business consulting and coaching, and educational programs such as GrowthWheel OnDemand, Food Truck University, and Side Hustle University. The organization functions as a community hub combining capital access, facilities, mentorship, and programming for small businesses and startups across 29 Indiana counties.

Product overview

Flagship Enterprise Center is a physical business incubator and accelerator offering a portfolio of services for entrepreneurs at various stages. The core offerings include Bankable (a SBA-certified microloan and small business lending program), business consulting and coaching services, and physical workspace solutions (coworking, office space, manufacturing space). Additional services include event and conferencing facilities, a shared commercial kitchen, and a podcast studio. Educational programs include GrowthWheel OnDemand Courses, Food Truck University, and Side Hustle University. The center also hosts an annual Flagship Pitch Competition. The organization serves as a hub for economic development in Anderson and Central Indiana, providing both capital access and business support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bankable Small Business Lending SBA-certified microloan and small business lending program offering versatile loans from $500 to $250,000 for Indiana small businesses, helping entrepreneurs build credit, secure capital, increase financial literacy, and grow sustainable business foundations.
• Coworking Memberships Membership-based flexible workspace packages providing office space, private offices, and shared amenities for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Office and Manufacturing Space Leasing Leasable commercial spaces including office space, warehousing, and light manufacturing facilities for medium and growing businesses in Anderson, Indiana, across Flagship's 260,000+ square foot multi-campus footprint.
• Conferencing and Event Facilities Event and conference facilities including an auditorium with theater seating for up to 150 people, a glass conference room for 10-14 people, and Studio C for 10-50 people, with audio-visual equipment, WiFi, and free parking included.
• Shared Commercial Kitchen Commercial-grade shared kitchen space available for booking by food entrepreneurs and food truck operators.
• Podcast Studio Professional recording studio with top-quality equipment available for podcast production and audio content creation.
• Business Consulting and Coaching Expert business coaching, consulting, and advisory services including marketing support, financial literacy, branding, and management consulting for entrepreneurs seeking growth strategies and operational improvements.
• GrowthWheel OnDemand Courses Digital courses providing structured online learning modules to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses, including video walkthrough classes and expert guidance for side hustlers and entrepreneurs.
• Side Hustle University Video-based educational program guiding new and aspiring entrepreneurs through starting and growing a side business, with easy-to-follow courses and materials from real-life side hustlers.
• Food Truck University Specialized educational program for aspiring and current food truck entrepreneurs providing guidance on starting and operating food truck businesses.
• Flagship Pitch Competition Annual business pitch competition where existing for-profit business owners in Madison County pitch expansion ideas to compete for prize packages worth up to $25,000.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% of SBA microloans in Indiana originate from Flagship
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• City of AndersoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of Flagship Enterprise Center. Created through a partnership between the City of Anderson and Anderson University in 2003 after the city's economic downturn. The city built facilities to grow, attract, and incubate entrepreneurs.
• Anderson UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of Flagship Enterprise Center. Provided initial partnership and continues to support through Dr. Terry Truitt (previously Dean of Falls School of Business) serving as CEO. Purdue Polytechnic Anderson campus located at Flagship East.
• Purdue Polytechnic AndersonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of statewide Purdue Polytechnic network offering technology degrees. Located at Flagship East, providing individualized, practical education while serving as resource for local business personnel updating skills.
• Indiana State Bank (ISBDC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndiana Small Business Development Center providing business development services and support to entrepreneurs statewide.
• InBIA (International Business Innovation Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational professional organization for business incubators and accelerators that Flagship participates in for best practices and networking.
• Madison County Chamber (MCC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal chamber of commerce providing business networking and support services for Madison County businesses.
• SCOREminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSCORE provides mentorship and business consulting services, connecting experienced business professionals with entrepreneurs.
• InPwR Electrical ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor for Flagship Pitch 2026 competition.
• Community Hospital AndersonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Flagship Pitch events.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SCORE: National nonprofit network providing free business mentoring, education, and resources to entrepreneurs. Flagship explicitly partners with SCORE for mentorship delivery, and both serve the same SMB/entrepreneur segment with comparable coaching and education offerings.
• Grameen America: Nonprofit microfinance organization providing small business loans, credit-building, and financial education to women entrepreneurs in underserved U.S. communities. Closely comparable to Bankable's microloan and financial literacy offerings for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
• The Venture Center: Nonprofit startup incubator/accelerator in Little Rock, Arkansas offering programs, mentorship, and capital access for entrepreneurs. Comparable community-based accelerator model targeting regional SMBs and startups with similar service breadth.
• gener8tor: Midwest-based accelerator network running cohort programs for startups. Operates with a similar accelerator model in overlapping Midwestern geographies, competing for the same entrepreneur pipeline that Flagship serves through its programs.
• Kiva: Nonprofit crowdfunding platform offering zero-interest, crowdfunded microloans to small businesses and entrepreneurs globally. Comparable microloan-thickness, financial inclusion mission, and underserved-segment focus to Flagship's Bankable program.
• Opportunity Fund (now Accion Opportunity Fund): CDFI providing small business loans, mentorship, and education to underserved entrepreneurs across the U.S. Directly comparable to Flagship's Bankable microloan program in mission, customer segment (minority/women/veteran-owned), and SBA-aligned lending activity.
• Impact Hub: Global network of impact-focused coworking spaces, incubators, and programming for mission-driven entrepreneurs. Highly comparable model combining physical workspace, accelerator programming, and community events targeting impact-oriented SMBs and startups.
• America's Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): Federally funded network of small business development centers providing consulting, training, and capital access support to entrepreneurs. Highly comparable to Flagship's mission, target customer, and SBA-aligned funding model; Indiana SBDC is explicitly listed as a Flagship partner.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator operating cohort programs and providing mentorship to early-stage companies. While much larger and more venture-backed, Techstars occupies the same business-acceleration category as Flagship and serves overlapping entrepreneur segments.

Regional players

• BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada): Canadian government-owned development bank providing financing, capital, and advisory services to small and medium-sized businesses. Operates the same integrated SME lending + advisory model as Flagship, but serves Canadian rather than Indiana entrepreneurs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/flagshipenterprisecenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flagship-enterprise-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Flagship Accelerator Program