Governor Braun to Host Business Succession Webinar
The November 2 virtual event aims to help small business owners manage retirement and keep operations within Indiana.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Business — General
Live Poll
Will the upcoming state-sponsored business webinar help preserve local jobs in your area?
Governor Mike Braun is hosting a virtual webinar on November 2 to provide Indiana business owners with critical succession planning strategies. The initiative seeks to preserve jobs and economic stability as many owners approach retirement age.
Why it matters
With over half of state business owners nearing retirement, this program offers essential guidance on family office models and employee ownership to prevent potential business closures. Keeping these companies locally owned is vital to maintaining hundreds of thousands of jobs across the state.
Businesses owned by Indiana residents aged 55 or older generate more than $200 billion in annual revenue and support over 900,000 jobs. The upcoming virtual webinar will span a duration of 1 hour.
The players
Mike Braun
Mike Braun is the Governor of Indiana who is leading the push to stabilize the state's small business sector.
Indiana Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
This state agency works to foster an environment conducive to business growth and the long-term success of local enterprises.
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
This organization represents the interests of businesses across the state and collaborates on policy and professional development initiatives.
The details
The program provides business owners with specialized strategies including family office transitions, employee ownership models, and entrepreneurship through acquisition. Facilitated by the Indiana Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the webinar supports the broader goals of the Keep IN initiative.
Timeline
The Keep IN initiative officially launched in May 2026.
The Silver Tsunami report was released in early 2026.
The virtual webinar is scheduled for November 2, 2026.
Market Landscape
The Keep IN initiative aligns with broader efforts to mitigate the economic risks associated with the aging business owner demographic. This program positions Indiana as a leader in proactive succession management to prevent the consolidation or closure of legacy firms.
Small business owners can access professional expertise on transition strategies that may prevent business liquidation or loss of ownership during retirement. These resources are designed to protect the financial viability of local companies and the employees who rely on them.
The takeaway
Business owners should begin formal succession planning well before their intended retirement date to ensure a smooth transfer of leadership. Exploring options like employee ownership can provide a path for legacy preservation that keeps operations firmly within the local community.
Further reading
Learn more about the local corporate environment at the Indiana Business — General section.
More information
To register for the upcoming event, visit the webinar registration page.
Live Poll
Will the upcoming state-sponsored business webinar help preserve local jobs in your area?
