Indiana Business Startup Guides

Start a Business in Indianapolis, Indiana

Are you starting a business in Indianapolis, Indiana? This article discusses the most important things to consider when opening a business in Indianapolis.

What Business to Start

Choosing a business that is right for you is very important. You might get some good ideas about what kind of business to start by reading Finding Your Niche in Life.

If you still are not sure what type of business to start, peruse the Good Businesses to Start section of our site. For example, you might be interested in our Opening a Radiant Heating & Cooling Business guide or our How to Start a Disability Accommodation Consultants Business guide.

Always keep in mind that starting a business in Indianapolis has some implications. Some businesses will do better in Indianapolis than others. Make sure you fully understand Indianapolis demographics before you lock in on your business idea.

Indianapolis, Indiana Demographic Information

Indianapolis has an active business community that includes small businesses, mid-sized businesses and large businesses.

To give you a better feel for Indianapolis demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Indianapolis.

Business Size
# of
Businesses
1-4 Employees
34292
5-9 Employees
14700
10-19 Employees
10676
20-49 Employees
8403
50-99 Employees
3207
100-249 Employees
1875
250-499 Employees
495
500-999 Employees
162
1000+ Employees
123
All Indianapolis Businesses
73933

As a new Indianapolis entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Indianapolis for each business category. By looking at this chart, you can get a general sense for how much competition there is in the business niche that you are pursuing.

Business Type
# of
Businesses
Adhesive Manufacturing
3
Advertising Agencies
63
Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing
4
Aluminum Extruded Product Manufacturing
2
Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting)
1
Ambulance Services
6
Amusement Arcades
5
Apprenticeship Training
9
Architectural Services
99
Armored Car Services
6
Art Dealers
14
Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
1
Automatic Vending Machine Manufacturing
1
Automobile Driving Schools
3
Automotive Exhaust System Repair
4
Automotive Glass Replacement Shops
25
Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores
132
Automotive Transmission Repair
26
Baked Goods Stores
12
Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing
4
Barber Shops
10
Bed-and-Breakfast Inns
3
Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers
3
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores
140
Blood and Organ Banks
9
Boat Dealers
9
Book Publishers
15
Book Stores
41
Bottled Water Manufacturing
1
Bowling Centers
12
Broadwoven Fabric Finishing Mills
3
Broadwoven Fabric Mills
1
Building Inspection Services
13
Business and Secretarial Schools
3
Business Associations
100
Cable and Other Program Distribution
6
Cafeterias
47
Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores
11
Canvas and Related Product Mills
9
Car Washes
49
Carpet and Rug Mills
1
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
36
Cement Manufacturing
1
Cemeteries and Crematories
13
Charter Bus Industry
9
Child and Youth Services
37
Child Day Care Services
264
Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores
16
Civic and Social Organizations
192
Clothing Accessories Stores
30
Coffee and Tea Manufacturing
1
Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners
43
Collection Agencies
29
Commercial Bakeries
5
Commercial Flexographic Printing
7
Commercial Gravure Printing
1
Commercial Photography
17
Commercial Screen Printing
23
Commodity Contracts Brokerage
2
Commodity Contracts Dealing
1
Community Food Services
6
Computer and Software Stores
28
Computer Facilities Management Services
16
Computer Training
10
Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing
3
Concrete Pipe Manufacturing
3
Confectionery and Nut Stores
7
Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers
18
Construction Machinery Manufacturing
1
Construction Sand and Gravel Mining
3
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
11
Convenience Stores
42
Convention and Trade Show Organizers
21
Convention and Visitors Bureaus
1
Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing
2
Copper Foundries (except Die-Casting)
1
Cosmetology and Barber Schools
7
Court Reporting and Stenotype Services
16
Credit Bureaus
6
Credit Card Issuing
1
Credit Unions
71
Crop Harvesting, Primarily by Machine
1
Curtain and Drapery Mills
8
Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins
2
Custom Roll Forming
2
Dance Companies
3
Deep Sea Freight Transportation
1
Dental Laboratories
25
Diagnostic Imaging Centers
27
Diet and Weight Reducing Centers
13
Digital Printing
9
Direct Mail Advertising
16
Direct Title Insurance Carriers
40
Directory and Mailing List Publishers
4
Discount Department Stores
14
Display Advertising
5
Document Preparation Services
26
Drafting Services
6
Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters
2
Drywall and Insulation Contractors
49
Educational Support Services
23
Electric Power Distribution
5
Electrical Contractors
157
Electron Tube Manufacturing
1
Electronic Computer Manufacturing
1
Electronic Shopping
23
Elementary and Secondary Schools
56
Emergency and Other Relief Services
3
Employment Placement Agencies
40
Engineering Services
237
Envelope Manufacturing
3
Environmental Consulting Services
44
Exterminating and Pest Control Services
29
Facilities Support Services
24
Family Clothing Stores
67
Family Planning Centers
11
Farm Product Warehousing and Storage
4
Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
12
Fats and Oils Refining and Blending
1
Finish Carpentry Contractors
69
Fish and Seafood Markets
2
Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers
1
Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers
104
Flight Training
1
Floor Covering Stores
50
Flooring Contractors
51
Flour Milling
2
Fluid Milk Manufacturing
2
Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing
1
Food (Health) Supplement Stores
27
Food Service Contractors
74
Footwear and Leather Goods Repair
11
Footwear Merchant Wholesalers
5
Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation
4
Framing Contractors
51
Freight Transportation Arrangement
59
Fruit and Vegetable Markets
6
Full-Service Restaurants
616
Funeral Homes and Funeral Services
48
Furniture Merchant Wholesalers
21
General Automotive Repair
209
General Freight Trucking, Local
51
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
16
General Rental Centers
19
General Warehousing and Storage
45
Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores
88
Glass and Glazing Contractors
20
Grantmaking Foundations
46
Graphic Design Services
73
Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing
4
Hardware Manufacturing
4
Hardware Merchant Wholesalers
36
Hardware Stores
27
Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal
4
HMO Medical Centers
3
Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores
30
Home Centers
14
Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers
20
Home Health Care Services
56
Home Health Equipment Rental
8
Homes for the Elderly
18
Human Rights Organizations
19
Hydroelectric Power Generation
1
Ice Manufacturing
2
Industrial Building Construction
7
Industrial Design Services
5
Industrial Gas Manufacturing
2
Industrial Launderers
17
Industrial Pattern Manufacturing
3
Industrial Valve Manufacturing
1
Institutional Furniture Manufacturing
4
Insurance Agencies and Brokerages
510
Interior Design Services
49
International Trade Financing
1
Internet Publishing and Broadcasting
3
Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation
1
Investigation Services
15
Investment Advice
79
Iron Foundries
5
Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing
1
Janitorial Services
234
Jewelry Stores
93
Kidney Dialysis Centers
12
Land Subdivision
33
Landscape Architectural Services
20
Landscaping Services
237
Language Schools
8
Lessors of Other Real Estate Property
13
Libraries and Archives
4
Limousine Service
8
Linen Supply
5
Livestock Merchant Wholesalers
1
Local Messengers and Local Delivery
19
Locksmiths
12
Logging
2
Luggage and Leather Goods Stores
4
Mail-Order Houses
22
Manifold Business Forms Printing
4
Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers
6
Marinas
3
Marketing Consulting Services
82
Marking Device Manufacturing
1
Masonry Contractors
62
Meat Markets
3
Media Buying Agencies
3
Media Representatives
7
Medical Laboratories
36
Men's Clothing Stores
35
Metal Heat Treating
13
Metal Stamping
1
Metal Window and Door Manufacturing
3
Mineral Wool Manufacturing
6
Miscellaneous Intermediation
10
Mobile Food Services
9
Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers
120
Motion Picture and Video Production
47
Motor and Generator Manufacturing
2
Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing
3
Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping
1
Motor Vehicle Towing
21
Motorcycle Dealers
8
Museums
12
Musical Groups and Artists
12
Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores
23
Nail Salons
6
Natural Gas Distribution
2
Natural Gas Liquid Extraction
1
New Car Dealers
65
New Housing Operative Builders
24
News Dealers and Newsstands
6
News Syndicates
5
Nonresidential Property Managers
72
Nursing Care Facilities
36
Office Administrative Services
99
Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
83
Office Machinery Manufacturing
1
Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
35
Offices of Bank Holding Companies
2
Offices of Chiropractors
61
Offices of Dentists
421
Offices of Lawyers
573
Offices of Optometrists
62
Offices of Other Holding Companies
33
Offices of Podiatrists
25
Offices of Real Estate Appraisers
81
Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing
3
Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers
5
Optical Goods Stores
40
Outdoor Power Equipment Stores
11
Packaging and Labeling Services
21
Packing and Crating
9
Paging
3
Paint and Wallpaper Stores
32
Painting and Wall Covering Contractors
153
Paper (except Newsprint) Mills
1
Parking Lots and Garages
69
Passenger Car Leasing
4
Passenger Car Rental
42
Payroll Services
24
Periodical Publishers
30
Pet and Pet Supplies Stores
29
Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services
29
Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals
11
Petroleum Refineries
1
Pharmacies and Drug Stores
123
Photography Studios, Portrait
37
Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas
2
Plastics Bag Manufacturing
2
Plate Work Manufacturing
4
Political Organizations
16
Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing
1
Portfolio Management
44
Powder Metallurgy Part Manufacturing
2
Prepress Services
12
Primary Aluminum Production
1
Printing Ink Manufacturing
3
Private Mail Centers
14
Professional Employer Organizations
20
Professional Organizations
49
Public Relations Agencies
25
Racetracks
9
Radio Networks
5
Radio Stations
26
Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing
1
Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing
14
Real Estate Credit
112
Real Estate Investment Trusts
15
Recreational Vehicle Dealers
4
Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage
7
Reinsurance Carriers
4
Remediation Services
13
Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing
1
Repossession Services
5
Residential Property Managers
155
Retail Bakeries
12
Reupholstery and Furniture Repair
18
Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing
1
Roofing Contractors
64
Rooming and Boarding Houses
18
Sales Financing
33
Satellite Telecommunications
7
Scheduled Freight Air Transportation
1
Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation
19
School and Employee Bus Transportation
2
Secondary Market Financing
1
Securities Brokerage
122
Security Guards and Patrol Services
46
Septic Tank and Related Services
4
Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing
22
Shoe Stores
106
Siding Contractors
30
Sign Manufacturing
45
Site Preparation Contractors
62
Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing
1
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars
98
Soft Drink Manufacturing
4
Software Publishers
36
Software Reproducing
2
Solid Waste Collection
8
Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators
1
Solid Waste Landfill
3
Sound Recording Studios
8
Specialty Canning
1
Spice and Extract Manufacturing
3
Sporting Goods Stores
73
Sports and Recreation Instruction
27
Sports Teams and Clubs
4
Steel Investment Foundries
2
Surface Active Agent Manufacturing
1
Taxi Service
4
Telecommunications Resellers
15
Telemarketing Bureaus
18
Telephone Answering Services
5
Television Broadcasting
12
Temporary Help Services
186
Temporary Shelters
10
Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters
9
Tile and Terrazzo Contractors
24
Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers
10
Tire Dealers
65
Tire Retreading
4
Title Abstract and Settlement Offices
31
Tobacco Stores
16
Tortilla Manufacturing
2
Tour Operators
5
Tradebinding and Related Work
9
Translation and Interpretation Services
7
Travel Agencies
43
Truck Trailer Manufacturing
1
Truss Manufacturing
1
Used Household and Office Goods Moving
36
Used Merchandise Stores
70
Vending Machine Operators
28
Veterinary Services
70
Video Tape and Disc Rental
60
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
36
Voluntary Health Organizations
34
Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
2
Web Search Portals
4
Wet Corn Milling
1
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
220
Window Treatment Stores
7
Wired Telecommunications Carriers
125
Women's Clothing Stores
118
Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing
2
Zoos and Botanical Gardens
1

Where to Get Money to Start a Company

Getting your Indianapolis business the capital it needs to succeed is very difficult due to the ongoing business credit crunch. The reality is that there is very little funding available for new small businesses, and you have to explore every possible alternative.

Take advantage of our many articles on raising capital, such as Only Idiots Send Venture Capitalists Business Plans.

For Indianapolis entrepreneurs in need of startup financing, check out our List of Indiana Angel Investors and our List of Indiana Venture Capital Firms.

Letting the World Know You Exist

Whether your goal is to attract Indianapolis customers or you plan on selling elsewhere, having an excellent marketing plan is fundamental to your succeeding.

We have some helpful resources on this site for entrepreneurs who are working on marketing plans. Advertising in Magazines is a good read to get your marketing thoughts flowing. That's just a taste of the many useful articles we have on Marketing a Small Business.

Bring in Revenues

Being able to sell is critical to your business success. Whether you are focused on selling local customers in Indianapolis or are selling to customers throughout Indiana, the United States or even the world, you have to be able to sell.

So what does it take to bring in more prospects and close more business? Let us help you refine your selling techniques through our many useful sales advice tips.

Sales Forecasting is worth reading, as it may give you some good ideas on how to sell your products or services. We have many more good articles on selling that you may enjoy reading.

Advancing Your Entrepreneurial Skills

The best entrepreneurs know that they need to continually improve.

Given that you are starting a business in Indianapolis, Indiana, you will want to take advantage of the many programs available at nearby Indiana universities, colleges and community colleges. It's also worthwhile to see if there are any networking organizations for Indianapolis entrepreneurs.

Next Steps

You have a dream -- starting a business in Indianapolis. To achieve your dream, you have to persevere, even when the odds are against you.

From this point on, you control your own destiny.

Our goal here is to promote the vitality and growth of small businesses in Indianapolis and throughout the United States . We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in Indianapolis, neighborhood development and overall economic health.

More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in Indianapolis, Indiana

Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Indianapolis.

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