Indiana Launches $21 Million+ Early-Stage Health Venture Fund to Support Life Sciences Startups

Governor Mike Braun announces Crossroads Health Ventures to accelerate innovation across human, animal, and plant health sectors statewide.

By: Haitian Prime News|January 21, 2026|Indianapolis, Indiana

Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced Wednesday the launch of Crossroads Health Ventures (CHV), a new early-stage venture capital fund aimed at accelerating the growth of life sciences startups and strengthening Indiana’s leadership in health innovation across human, animal, and plant sectors.

The fund has secured more than $21 million in commitments from a combination of public and private partners, including Lilly Ventures, Corteva, Elanco, Indiana University, Parkview Health, and the State of Indiana through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) within the Office of Commerce. CHV is expected to begin deploying capital in early 2026.

Governor Braun emphasized that access to early-stage capital is essential for translating research strengths into high-growth companies and high-wage jobs. He said the initiative reflects Indiana’s strategy of bringing together public and private partners to support innovation at every stage of development.

State officials say Crossroads Health Ventures will help ensure the next generation of life sciences companies can start, scale, and succeed within Indiana, keeping research, talent, and economic benefits rooted in the state.

Indiana Secretary of Commerce David J. Adams described the initiative as a major opportunity to advance Indiana’s “One Health” economy, which integrates innovation across human, animal, and plant health. He said the partnership between the state, industry, and regional leadership is designed to support entrepreneurs and startups while strengthening Indiana’s global competitiveness.

Vince Wong, President and CEO of BioCrossroads and Crossroads Health Ventures, said the fund fills a critical early-stage funding gap that has limited the ability of breakthrough ideas to become scalable companies. He noted that Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem continues to gain national recognition and momentum.

Indiana currently ranks first in the nation for life sciences exports and benefits from a strong base of global industry leaders, research universities, and a highly skilled workforce. Officials say CHV is designed to help ensure more discoveries developed in Indiana grow into Indiana-based companies, creating jobs, attracting private investment, and advancing solutions that improve health outcomes worldwide.

Sources

State of Indiana – Office of the Governor

Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)

BioCrossroads / Crossroads Health Ventures