A Civic launch space in indY
Turn your idea into an address.
Ground Floor is a launch space for retailers, food concepts, makers, and neighborhood businesses ready to open their doors.
Key Commercial Corridors
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$0 Application Fee
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1 First Real Step
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Key Commercial Corridors • $0 Application Fee • 1 First Real Step •
Ground Floor is a civic launch space designed to help new businesses take their first real step.
We provide accessible retail and commercial opportunities for entrepreneurs ready to move from idea to storefront — with spaces designed for food, retail, service, art, and neighborhood-focused concepts.
This is where businesses start.
Who Should Apply
Built for the businesses just getting their footing.
Retail Concepts
Storefronts ready to put product in front of real customers.
Food & Beverage Startups
Concepts ready to serve a neighborhood, not just a pop-up.
Artists & Makers
Studios and shops ready to sell directly to the public.
Service Businesses
Operators ready for a fixed location people can find.
Emerging Local Brands
Brands with momentum looking for their first physical home.
First-Time Entrepreneurs
No prior storefront required. Just a plan worth testing.
Why Ground Floor
What you’ll get
Affordable launch space
Real customer feedback
Visibility in Indianapolis neighborhoods
Flexible opportunities to grow
A community of local entrepreneurs
Supportive city and partner ecosystem
How It Works
From idea to open door.
Apply
The application period has passed.
Review
Our team reviews applications for fit, readiness, and neighborhood alignment.
Launch
Selected businesses receive support preparing their space and opening to the public.
Ground Floor 101
Practical, honest, and full of people thinking hard about what comes next for their businesses. We covered finding the right space, reading a commercial lease, and the mistakes that catch first-time tenants.
A huge thank you to our panelists:
Bryan Chandler, Eclipse Real Estate
Mike Gillis and Gary Patterson, WDRFA
Amber Gyselinck, Lapis Lily Market
Polina Osherov, PATTERN
Catherine Esselman, Cat Consulting LLC
Every business starts somewhere.