IU first lady Laurie Burns McRobbie makes a splash at the Indiana IoT Lab – Fishers

By Jason Whitney, manager of strategic partnerships, Indiana University Research and Technology Corp.

With a few swift strokes of a brush, Indiana University first lady Laurie Burns McRobbie recently brought to life the new student workspace at the Indiana IOT Lab – Fishers. This ceremonial “ribbon cutting” infused the innovative new space with some traditional IU crimson as the furniture is being assembled.

Even before its March 21 grand opening, the Indiana IoT Lab – Fishers has proven to be a unique opportunity for student engagement and economic development for IU and the state of Indiana. Students from the IU School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI have used the blossoming space to kick off a spring project with global industry leader Beck’s Hybrids of Atlanta, Indiana. The space has also attracted tenants with IU ties from across the globe who are looking to become a part of the Indiana ecosystem and support IU initiatives.

As a part of the ribbon-cutting event, McRobbie reconvened the planning committee and sponsors of the 2017 LAUNCH(ed) Women in Technology luncheon that was hosted at Launch Fishers. In addition to McRobbie, the event also featured entrepreneurially minded first ladies Janet Holcomb of the state of Indiana and Aunna Fadness of the city of Fishers. They welcomed female tech and entrepreneurial thought leaders from around Indiana to share their journey and encourage others to chase their dreams and maximize their talents to advance Indiana’s female leadership base. Planning for an expanded 2018 LAUNCH(ed) event is already underway.