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INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis-based Indy Photo Coach (IPC), a photography school, won first prize last Thursday, May 7, 2009 at a business plan competition hosted by Taylor University and the Innovative Network of Grant County. The annual award competition program is designed to encourage, identify and assist local entrepreneurs with the most innovative and commercially viable business concepts.

IPC has been providing photography education to the Indianapolis area since April of 2008. After quickly finding success in Indianapolis, it became apparent that the business was viable and the demand for the expertise of founder David Horton and his staff of four instructors was growing. Horton decided to compete in the business plan competition in order to help finance growth of IPC into surrounding markets such as Anderson and Bloomington.

“It has been an exciting year for Indy Photo Coach and with the growing business exposure in the community we decided there was no better time to expand. This award will not only help expedite our growth, it will also help IPC reach thousands of digital SLR camera owners who want to learn more. There’s nothing better than meeting new students and seeing them improve and succeed or find enjoyment in a new hobby,” says Horton.

The Indy Photo Coach business plan caught the eye of the judges due to the low overhead costs and ease of business operations. Classes are held at unique locations such as parks or public events that are conducive to hands-on photography. The low overhead costs allow for smaller class sizes and short time commitments (courses are about 4 weeks long) which many students find appealing because they are able to get lots of personal interaction with the instructor and can learn a lot in a short amount of time.

About The Business Plan Competition:
Taylor University and the Innovative Network of Grant County host an annual business plan competition designed to encourage, identify and assist local entrepreneurs with the most innovative and commercially viable business concepts. This year’s competition cycle ran from January 2009 through May 2009. Last year’s winner was The Lemon Toad, submitted by Kris Gruppe and Kim Smith.

About Indy Photo Coach:
Indy Photo Coach was founded in April of 2008 and is a photography school serving central and northern Indiana. IPC offers a unique and convenient educational opportunity for digital photographers, novice and experienced alike, to move beyond point-and-shoot techniques and express their creativity by understanding the fundamentals of photography with hands on classes. The classes provide a community forum where photographers can learn and improve together with a professional instructor.