Building Innovation Communities details enFocus' growth since inception and success of the 2019-2020 Fellowship year
enFocus, a local nonprofit launched in 2012, attracts talent to build innovation communities in the South Bend-Elkhart region. enFocus' model attracts students and recent graduates to their Fellowship and Internship programs and matches them to impactful project-based experiences across regional sponsor organizations. The Fellowship model also supports Fellows in incubating new technologies, startups and social impact initiatives.
To date, enFocus has attracted over 1,000 young professionals to work with community partners on over 250 business, technology, research and commercialization projects creating a $100 million economic impact. enFocus Fellows have also incubated 25 new businesses and 48 social impact initiatives.
Of this success, Executive Director Andrew Wiand noted "we would not have gotten here without the support of many—a committed mentor network, business leaders, local academic institutions, and financial investors—all of whom embraced our vision for a renewed, economically-vibrant future." Andrew added, "our greatest success is keeping this young talent in our communities to continue to drive innovation." Over 70% of Fellows in the program have stayed after their Fellowship to call Indiana home.
To learn more about how enFocus is building innovation in the South Bend-Elkhart region see: 2019-2020 enFocus annual report: Building Innovation Communities