FUSE Awards
The FUSE Business Innovation Awards recognize the accomplishments of both companies and individuals in Bloomington’s thriving technology and innovation scene. Founded by the Indiana SBDC (Small Business Development Center) in 2004, The Mill rebooted the awards and has been celebrating our community’s successes since 2017.
The Awards
Every year, The Mill hosts the FUSE Awards ceremony to deliver the awards and celebrate local individuals’ and businesses’ successes. We proudly recognize the following awards:
Bill & Gayle Cook Entrepreneur of the Year
Awarded to a founder who has created an environment where employees can flourish and whose customers love their products or services.
Mentor of the Year
Awarded to an outstanding role model who has advised and encouraged best practices in an early stage company’s growth.
Company of the Year
Awarded to a company for revenue and job growth who exemplifies Bloomington’s values.
Rising Star of the Year
Awarded to the company with less than ten employees who has laid the foundation for future revenue and job growth.
Partner of the Year
Awarded to an organization who directly impacts the success of The Mill and its members. (New in 2019)
Community Leader Supporting Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Awarded to an individual who proudly and unapologetically supports The Mill and its members with their time, energy, and talent. (New in 2019)
Newsworthy Event of the Year
Voted by Mill members and awarded to an individual, corporation, or organization who best demonstrates through public relations, that great things are happening in Bloomington. (New in 2019)
2019 Award Winners & Nominees
Bill & Gayle Cook Entrepreneur of the Year
WINNERS
- Cedric Savarese | CEO & Founder, FormAssembly
- Ryan Newton | CEO & Founder, Cloudseal
OTHER NOMINEES
- Adam Quirk | CEO & Jeff Wuslich | President & Co-Founder, Cardinal Spirits
- Ben Swanson | Owner, Secretly Group
Mentor of the Year
WINNER
- Jason Whitney | Executive Director, IU Angel Network
OTHER NOMINEES
- Mike Trotzke | CEO, Cheddar
- Forrest Fowler | Managing Partner & Lead Developer, Sid3car
- Geng Wang | CEO & Founder, Civic Champs
Company of the Year
WINNERS
- Cloudseal
- FormAssembly
OTHER NOMINEES
- Ardeo Education Solutions
- Cardinal Spirits
Rising Star of the Year
WINNER
- Civic Champs
OTHER NOMINEES
- Blueprint Stats
- infoSentience
- Wave Therapeutics
Partner of the Year
WINNER
- Shine Insurance
OTHER NOMINEES
- City of Bloomington
- Cook Center for Entrepreneurship
- Herald Times
Community Leader Supporting Entrepreneurship & Innovation
WINNER
- John Hamilton | Mayor, Bloomington, IN
OTHER NOMINEES
- Jane Martin | Retired Venture Capitalist
- Lynn Coyne | President, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC)
- Pete Yonkman
Newsworthy Event of the Year
WINNER
- Cloudseal receives SBIR grant, completes gBETA accelerator, and is acquired by Facebook
OTHER NOMINEES
- Fortune magazine ranks Hanapin Marketing #11 Best Place To Work Nationally
- FormAssembly raises $10 Million in Series A Funding
2018 Award Winners & Nominees
Bill & Gayle Cook Entrepreneur of the Year
WINNER
- Reuben Vandevender | Co-founder, Data Clairvoyance and ZIO
OTHER NOMINEES
- Jay Baer, Founder, Convince and Convert
- Adam Quirk and Jeff Wuslich, Co-Founders, Cardinal Spirits
Mentor of the Year
WINNER
- Brad Wisler | CEO, Periodic
OTHER NOMINEES
- Jason Whitney, IU RTC & IU Philanthropic Venture Fund
- Teri Willey, IU Philanthropic Venture Fund
Company of the Year
WINNER
- Cook Pharmica
OTHER NOMINEES
- Secretly Group
- The Bee Corp
Rising Star of the Year
WINNER
- Ziptility
OTHER NOMINEES
- Content Cucumber
- Zoro
2017 Award Winners & Nominees
Bill & Gayle Cook Entrepreneur of the Year
WINNER
- Doug Dayhoff | Former President, Upland Brewing
OTHER NOMINEES
- Ben Swanson | Founder & CEO, Secretly Canadian
- Jeff Schwegman | Owner, AB BioTechnologies
Mentor of the Year
WINNER
- Jane Martin | Retired Venture Capitalist
OTHER NOMINEES
- Gerry Hays | Managing Partner, Slane Capital Partners
- Brad Wisler | CEO, Periodic
Company of the Year
WINNER
- Envisage Technologies
OTHER NOMINEES
- Hanapin Marketing
- Secretly Group
Rising Star of the Year
WINNER
- Cheddar
OTHER NOMINEES
- Future Wonder
- The Bee Corp
