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sorr@ibj.com
@susanorr
Technology, business and finance reporter and author of the #IBJtech newsletter
Orr joined IBJ in 2016. She's been a reporter since 1995 and has worked at four newspapers in three states. Before moving to Indianapolis, she wrote for the Courier & Press in Evansville. When she's not working, she enjoys cooking, travel and spending way too much time on Twitter.
Go-to coffee order: Basic coffee with cream
Best book: "An American Tragedy" by Hoosier author Theodore Dreiser is a favorite. "I'd argue it's THE Great American Novel," she said.
Most used tech gadget: iPhone
Tech firm Genesys lands $580M in funding
December 10, 2021 | Susan Orr
The company, which offers cloud-based software and other products for call-center operators, has a significant presence in Indianapolis but it's unclear how the recent investment might affect local operations.
Former Banc-Serv exec sentenced to more than five years in prison
December 9, 2021 | Susan Orr
Kerri Agee of Noblesville was sentenced Thursday for her role in a 13-year financial fraud scheme at the now-defunct financial services company she once owned.
Trust Hardware owner faces lawsuit over north-side store closure
Trust Hardware owner Adam Taylor says supply-chain and labor issues made it too tough to operate, so he closed two of his three stores last month. The landlord at his former Binford Shoppes store is suing Taylor for back rent.
Prosecutors to ask for eight-year prison sentence for former financial exec
A sentencing hearing is scheduled Thursday for BancServ Partners LLC founder Kerri Agee, who was found guilty on fraud and conspiracy charges in August.
TechPoint adds talent category to its annual Mira Awards program
The Mira Awards, which honors achievements in Indiana's tech industry, has added an awards category for efforts to attract, hire, train and retain tech talent. Nominations for the annual awards program opened this week and the awards gala takes place April 23.
Allegion Ventures launches $100M technology investment fund
Allegion says it had such success with its first investment fund, which launched in 2018, that it's now starting a second fund that's twice the size of the original.
Local companies eye big opportunities in federal infrastructure package
November 26, 2021 | Susan Orr
The $1.2 trillion law could be a boon for huge corporations like Cummins Inc. and Allison Transmission Inc. and smaller ones like Telamon Corp., 120Water Inc. and BCA Environmental Consultants LLC.
Bob Coy, chief executive of 16 Tech, set to retire in 2022
Coy, who has been at the organization since 2017, overseeing the first phase of development at the 50-acre 16 Tech Innovation District, is stepping down after a long career in economic development.
IEDC works with accelerator to bring startups to Indiana
Gener8tor is launching four industry-specific programs within its gBETA accelerator for early-stage startups from both Indiana and around the United States, hoping some will move here.
IEDC hires consultant to study state's entrepreneurial ecosystem
The IEDC has agreed to pay $150,000 to San Francisco-based consultant Startup Genome to generate a snapshot report of the state's entrepreneurial climate. Based on the results of that report, the IEDC will decide whether to contract with the consultant for additional work.
Fishers-based Formstack lands record $425M equity investment
The equity investment is by far the largest single capital raise by an Indiana-based technology company in the state's history, according to Indianapolis-based TechPoint, a not-for-profit that supports the state's tech industry.
High Alpha leads $10M investment in Chicago-based software startup Logik.io
Logik.io, which was launched in February, offers software that helps sales reps and customers secure price quotes in complex sales situations.
Indy-based parking tech company T2 to be acquired for $347M
T2, founded in 1994, provides parking-management hardware and software to universities, municipalities, parking operators, health care facilities and transportation hubs. It has more than 1,900 customers.
Some firms have nixed the office; others are doubling down
No matter which path companies choose, they've had to figure out new ways to keep employees connected now that their co-workers might not be in the same room—or even the same state.
STAR Bank debuts Bitcoin services for its mobile banking customers
Fort Wayne-based STAR, which has 13 banking offices in the Indianapolis market, said it sees a business opportunity in Bitcoin and plans to add additional cryptocurrency services as demand warrants.
Economist: Pandemic recession has ended, but disruptions linger
Fifth Third Bank's Chief Investment Strategist Jeff Korzenik told an Indianapolis audience Wednesday that the workforce crunch and sudden glut in downtown office space remain vexing problems, but Indiana is in solid position to take advantage of the return of manufacturing from overseas.
Real estate tech startup Shaker lands $2M in seed funding
November 9, 2021 | Susan Orr
Shaker, which offers a platform for real estate agents and clients to communicate with each other, was launched last year by Indianapolis venture studio High Alpha.
Indiana's tech sector sees big M&A boom
The momentum is so strong that the number of deals during the first three quarters of 2021 has already eclipsed full-year 2020 and 2019 totals—and by a healthy margin.
Muncie-based First Merchants to acquire Michigan bank for $323.5M
First Merchants has agreed to acquire Farmington Hills-based Level One Bancorp, which has 16 Michigan banking offices. The deal is expected to close in the first half of next year.
Tech startup co-founded by Scott McCorkle secures another $7M in funding
MetaCX's newest round of fundraising brings its total to $31.5 million, including multiple investments from several venture capital organizations.