By Ann Marie Shambaugh
Members and partners of zWORKS gathered Nov. 17 to celebrate a successful second year in business, hand out awards and share two major announcements.
The Zionsville co-working space on Cedar Street will become the first outpost of the Speak Easy, an Indianapolis-based collaborative workspace for entrepreneurs. The partnership will allow members of each organization to use each other’s space and resources beginning Nov. 18.
“We’ve got two co-working and entrepreneurial spaces that are for the first time joining forces in a thoughtful and strategic way,” zWORKS co-founder Dan Moyers said, adding that this is the first partnership of its kind in Indiana.
The Speak Easy has locations in Broad Ripple and downtown Indianapolis.
“The Speak Easy is focused on growing entrepreneurship ecosystems throughout Central Indiana and zWORKS is a natural partner in that endeavor,” Speak Easy co-founder and chairman Andy Clark stated in a press release. “Zionsville has a vibrant small-business and entrepreneurial community with which we’re thrilled to connect Speak Easy members.”
Moyers also announced that zWORKS will soon start a search for its first executive director.
“This is a very big deal for any organization,” Moyers said. “Through our supportive members and partners we’ve been able to get there our second year. I feel confident this is the time to hire.”
The executive director position could be full- or part-time.
After distributing 10 awards, the event concluded with a panel discussion featuring experts in entrepreneurship and business.
Award winners
The 2016 zWorks award winners include:
- Startup of the Year: Boosterville
- Graduate of the Year: WorkHere
- Mentor of the Year: Paul Dreier
- Partner of the Year: Shelley Johnson
- Took the Leap: Whitney Vredenburgh
- Member of the Year: Aaron Walton
