I'm here at Momentum in South Bend, which is a co-working space, and I'm here with Marty, who's from start up South Bend, Elkhart.

But we're here to talk about Idea Week, which we spoke last year, which was online when we spoke.

But Idea Week is just continues to grow and grow.

So tell me a little bit about startup South Bend, Elkhart and the sponsorship behind Idea Week.

And what's the relationship there.

Yeah sure thing.

So up South Bend, Elkhart is an initiative of the South Bend Elkhart Regional Partnership.

Last year was the first year we've been partners with Notre Dame and Idea Week since its inception in 2017.

Last year was the first year that we took it over from my from Notre Dame.

They remained our prime sponsor for it and a big inspiration behind what we do.

But now it is fully organized and executed by South Bend, South America Regional Partnership or Startup South and Elkhart.

And so for anyone that was about to say give people an idea of what it is, but no pun intended, but for anyone watching, you know, they might see it, they might see it being advertised.

They might think, no idea really what it is, but can you just explain exactly what's going on for Idea week?

Yeah.

Yeah, absolutely.

It's it's a festival, really, of innovation and entrepreneurship, mixed in with arts, culture, music, networking, heavy networking.

We're really a big part of it is culture building around entrepreneurship and innovation for the region.

Right?

Like, you can build something here or you can start a business here.

You can scale something here.

There's other interested people.

There's folks who are willing to invest in what you're doing.

So we built Idea Week out as a chance to really, like, connect through networking.

There's a lot of fantastic content, so you can learn things both very technical, practical things and also more inspirational things.

And then we also have fun because we integrate dinner parties and we have after hours events, happy hours, like lots and lots of chances to network and meet other people.

Because not everything about entrepreneurship is about losing your mind.

You also have to have fun at the same time, right?

So 1,000% a lot of entrepreneurs feel isolated, right?

It can be kind of a lonely road, and it's nice to take a break once a year, you know, or at least for idea.

We can really get out there and meet other folks.

I keep on reading these articles that talk about South Bend is booming and building, and even there was a great article by Apple News where they talked about like, one of the best places to live now, and this a place to retire and but also come and start a business, all these things going on.

What is it about this area that is so appealing to people that want to come here?

Because to people that live here, they might think, yeah, you know, but what is it that is attracting people?

I mean, you've got the obvious things around quality of life and quality of place, right?

Like affordability, great assets in the region.

I think the less tangible thing is the level of connection that we experience here.

You meet people, you know, people.

You're going to find someone who's interested in your idea.

And if you don't know somebody, somebody you know will know somebody.

So there's a really fantastic network of folks who want to see the region thrive.

And through that, want to see your business idea thrive.

And that's something really special that you can't get as easily in a bigger city, where people are more siloed and a little more isolated.

That makes sense.

And then obviously, you talk about Notre Dame being the main sponsor still to this day.

And they started Idea Week.

There's also obviously a lot of innovation at Notre Dame.

Is that still a big draw for people to having the college here and all of the talent that comes out?

Absolutely.

I mean, we we're blessed with many higher eds in the region.

It's really which is fantastic.

Obviously, we're extra, extra special to have an R1 university, Notre Dame right up here in the region, along with Purdue and IU.

Right.

So we have a premier world class global institution right in our backyard, which not every region can say.

And that's a huge, huge asset.

Absolutely.

And when it comes to Idea Week, like what are some of the highlights for people watching the think, okay, maybe I will go along.

Maybe I will attend some of the classes or some of the different programs that are happening.

What are some of the highlights that you know you're most excited about?

It's hard not to just run through the entire the entire itinerary.

Have and will remember.

Yeah, I mean, Monday we're doing the launch party.

That's really just a networking event that'll be right here at Momentum Tuesday.

Unlike last year, we're spending an entire day in Elkhart.

So Tuesday, we're doing a flip flop session morning focusing on manufacturing innovations in manufacturing afternoon, going downtown and doing a focus session on creative entrepreneurs.

So the artists, musicians and their impact on the economy.

We'll have music that night, dinner parties that night in Elkhart, and then we go real tactical on Wednesday with, full day of workshops, at the Community Learning Center of the public library right here, downtown South Bend.

Really tactical hands on things followed up with dinner parties and more music that evening.

And then finally on Thursday is our inspirational day, where we go back to South Bend State Church and we've got the panels, we've got the high level speakers.

Really want folks to walk away thinking like, oh, that's a cool story.

Or like, I didn't think that.

And I think I can probably do that too.

Do weeks like idea week that happened here or are they like, is it rare to have a week like this that's so focused or is it pretty prevalent across the US and different.

It is absolutely unusual.

And we're very fortunate to have something like this in our region.

I think across the entire state of Indiana.

This is probably one of the premier events around entrepreneurship and innovation.

And really even in the Midwest, there are a handful of other festivals that cover this topic.

But we're really, really lucky to have something so focused here and so full of amazing content and fun.

I find, as someone who started my own business, some of the hardest things are the most practical things, like even health insurance, right?

There's there's things around that I wish it was more focus on.

I almost feel like that's a block, like there's there's just run of the mill things that you take for granted when you're an employee.

I feel like more entrepreneurship would happen if access to some of the needs like that were a little bit easier, more affordable.

Yeah.

No, you're absolutely right.

I mean, health care is a major problem.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to solve yet.

At least not with idea week.

Yeah.

But I think the idea is to be more successful and just pay a boatload.

Right, right right right, right.

But you're right, though, about the the mix between the practical side of things, like the nuts and bolts side of things of running a business, and then the kind of the more forward thinking, leading, leading edge things.

I think it just stopped so many people from getting into entrepreneurship that have great ideas, because, again, it's just the access to benefits and things like that, which again, I know there's no easy thing and I know that's not to be solved by you.

You know, putting on idea week.

But I do think, culturally we could do more to encourage entrepreneurship if we're able to tackle some.

Yeah, it's a scary thing.

And people risk a lot starting a business.

Right?

Sometimes you're putting your own house on the line.

You're putting your own assets on the line.

Yeah.

It can be very scary for people.

I think that's why our region does have that advantage of that connectivity.

So like you're not alone out there doing this.

You're going to meet other folks who support what you're doing.

I think the scariest thing is not going for it, you know?

Yeah.

And so for people watching that might want to go along.

Can they sign up for individual events or they have to sign up for the whole week or how does that work.

Yeah.

So the way we have it set up is you can buy an all access pass.

That's for the entire week, all the events of the entire week, all the sessions, including the two concerts that are happening Friday night, which are paid entry concerts.

Yeah.

One's a hip hop one.

One's a country act.

If you don't want to do the whole week, you can buy a day pass on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, which is then also included the launch party on Monday night.

So you can always go to the launch party and then you can get the content on those three days, depending on which day works best for you.

Nice.

I'm where do people go to get those?

W-w-what idea?

Wycombe.

It's pretty straightforward.

Right there.

And you get on the website, you can see the agenda and you can register right there.

Nice.

Great.

Thank you so much and best of luck with it.

Yeah.

Thanks.