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Finalists Named for Ascend Indiana Talent Innovation Award

Finalists Named for Ascend Indiana Talent Innovation Award

 Congratulations to all the finalists for the 2026 TechPoint Mira Awards, including our own finalists for the Ascend Indiana Talent Innovation Award. This award recognizes organizations and their programs or platforms that inspire and open doors for STEM talent, create economic opportunities and have a positive impact on talent pipeline development and the future workforce.

Andrew Ball, senior vice president at Henriott Group and a member of the Ascend Board of Directors, assisted with the judging process to determine the award’s finalists. Katie Birge, vice president at M25, and Almera Mahmood, executive director at Venture Club of Indiana, also served as judges.

Finalists for the Ascend Indiana Talent Innovation Award:

Awesome People Leaders (Indianapolis)

  • Awesome People Leaders developed an AI computer plug-in, AwesomeEQ, which provides organizations’ employees with real-time, personalized Emotional IQ (or Emotional Intelligence) insights and guidance when drafting emails.

Eli Lilly and Company (Indianapolis), Ivy Tech Community College (Indianapolis, Bloomington and Lafayette Campuses), Purdue University (West Lafayette and Indianapolis)

  • Lilly Manufacturing is partnering with Purdue University and Ivy Tech Community College to develop the next generation of Hoosiers interested in pursuing careers in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The Lilly Scholars program at Purdue is for select undergraduate students and includes full tuition scholarships, guaranteed paid internships and opportunities to interact with Lilly leadership. The Lilly Scholars program at Ivy Tech Community College provides scholarships and experiential learning opportunities for high school and college students.

Indiana Cyber Network (Anderson)

  • Indiana Cyber Network developed a solution that integrates hands-on experience with employer-driven learning outcomes, using simulated digital environments, apprenticeships and community-based partnerships to ensure learners gain the skills employers actually need.

Interns for Indiana at Purdue University (West Lafayette and Indianapolis)

  • Interns for Indiana designed a program that connects Purdue University students to local Indiana startups, early-stage companies and small businesses to gain exposure to entrepreneurship, tech and innovation across various sectors.

Marian University Saint Joseph’s College (Indianapolis)

  • Marian University Saint Joseph’s College engages employer partners in its Earn and Learn program, which combines on-the-job training with students’ academic degree path. The program bridges barriers often faced by first-generation, underserved and working students.

Per Scholas Indianapolis (Indianapolis)

  • Per Scholas Indianapolis is transforming the region’s tech talent landscape by providing tuition-free, high-quality IT training to individuals traditionally underrepresented in tech. It helps them earn industry-recognized certifications and launch careers in high-demand fields such as IT support, cybersecurity and cloud computing.

Purdue University Online (West Lafayette)

  • Purdue University’s online AI Portfolio, “Interdisciplinary AI Education for Innovation,” is a comprehensive suite of educational offerings designed to cultivate a new generation of AI builders, translators and leaders. The flexible, 100% online programming for working professionals includes non-credit microcredentials, graduate certificates and the innovative 30-credit Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree.

Regional Opportunity Initiatives (Bloomington)

  • Regional Opportunity Initiatives launched the Indiana Uplands Microelectronics (ME) Training Hub in collaboration with education, defense and industry partners. The Hub features a classroom and lab space designed to immerse students with advanced workstations, electronic testing and design equipment, a training cleanroom and specialized software used across the ME industry. The ME Training Hub and accompanying ME Academy connect K–12 education, higher education and advanced industry in a shared mission to prepare students in rural regions for high-tech, high-demand careers in microelectronics, national defense and advanced manufacturing.

The winner of this award and many others will be announced on April 24 at the Mira Awards gala at The Palladium in Carmel. Tickets for Mira Awards are now on sale and can be purchased here. To learn more about the Mira Awards and sponsorship opportunities, visit TechPoint’s website.

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