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Solution Center

What is the Solution Center?

Started in May of 2004 through University funding and a grant from the Lilly Endowment, the Solution Center was created to serve as IUPUI’s “Front Door” for community engagement, working to build new relationships and create sustainable partnerships in Central Indiana between the university and government agencies, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
The Solution Center administered the Community Venture Fund in 2004-2006, a program that grants matching funds to partner organizations that may not be able to fully support a project or internship.
The Solution Center focuses its collaboration on meeting needs of partners in the following business clusters: Information & Communication Technologies, Life & Health Sciences, 21st Century Logistics, Advanced Manufacturing, Arts, Culture, & Tourism, and Nonprofit Organizations.

Accomplishments

Each year, the Solution Center responds to over 1,000 requests for information and assistance from local businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies.

The Solution Center is the campus convener for internships and research connections, coordinating 1380 internships, community assistance projects, and research initiatives for 447 businesses and organizations in the last 36 months. These initiatives bring together the great work of IUPUI faculty members, students, and community leaders. In 2006-2007, the Solution Center coordinated 582 internships, projects, research and full-time jobs, with 199 partners.

Through the Venture Fund program, the Solution Center awarded 198 Venture Fund grants totaling over $1.3 million to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations between 2004 and 2006. In 2006-2007, 43 of these engagements received match funding through the Community Venture Fund. Since January 2007, the Solution Center has been seeking renewal of the Community Venture Fund program.

The Solution Center leveraged over $1 million in matching funds from partnerships with local businesses and non-profit organizations from 2004-2006. These partnerships have lead to additional grants and successful hires for industry partners across Central Indiana.

In November 2006, the Solution Center celebrated its 1000th Solution, a project that partnered the Solution Center with the Indiana Pacers to preserve some of Oscar Robertson’s personal scrapbooks for installation in the Crispus Attucks Museum. In recognition of this 1000^th Solution, the director worked with the City-County Council and Office of the Mayor to rename 11^th Street to Oscar Robertson Blvd. Mr. Robertson was present for the dedication and ceremonies.

In 2006, the Solution Center launched a new Web site that gives employers a one-stop, “hubbed” option to publicize internships and job opportunities for IUPUI students and graduates. Using this new technology tool, the Solution Center has drawn together academic schools and departments across the campus, making posting part-time, internship, volunteer, and full-time positions in multiple academic areas easier for community partners.

In February of 2007, the Solution Center began hosting the Nonprofit Solution Center (NSC),a new initiative supported by funding from Central Indiana philanthropic organizations. The Nonprofit Solution Center will provide nonprofit leaders with access to a qualified group of experts and vendors, as well as resources to assist them in making informed consulting arrangements. A database of consultants with expertise in a range of areas can be found at www.nonprofitsolutions.iupui.edu. Contact Keisha Nickolson, Program Manager for Nonprofit Solutions at 317-278-7636 or ksnickol@iupui.edu for information on this initiative.

The Solution Center hosts the annual Solutions Conference, the only campus-wide event that welcomes the business and entrepreneurial community to IUPUI to meet researchers and explore potential IP and research partnerships. In March 2007, nearly 200 attendees participated in panels, tours, and information sessions on Commercialization, Intellectual Property Partnerships, Internships and Experiential Learning, and University Resources, in addition to research exhibits and presentations.

Teresa Bennett, Director

Phone: 317-278-9170