How to start a business in Indianapolis, IN

Indiana was named the best state to start a business, so we’re sharing the first steps to get your business idea up and running.

View of the Indiana Statehouse from Monument Circle with a colorful sky.

The state offers resources and guidance to help make its local businesses successful.

Table of Contents

Last year, Indiana was ranked the best state to start a business by Forbes — based on a combination of low taxes, reasonable cost of living, and workforce.

With that being said, if you’ve thought about starting a business, Indy is an ideal place for new businesses to succeed.

To get your business idea up and running, INBiz is the state’s “one-stop” resource for registering + managing your business and ensuring it complies with state laws and regulations.

What you need to do:

  • Decide what type of business you want to start. Sole proprietorship, corporation, limited liability company, etc. The best choice for your business depends on factors like liability, taxes, control, and flexibility.
  • Decide on a business name. The state of Indiana requires the name of a business to be distinguishable from any other business of the same type already on record with the Secretary of State’s office. When you create an Access Indiana account, you can use the “Check Name Availability” search to make sure the name you want hasn’t been taken.
  • Get a registered agent. Every business must continuously maintain a registered agent and registered office in Indiana. A registered agent is responsible for receiving important legal and tax documents for the business.
  • Submit required filings. All business owners have to file annually with the county assessor’s office where the business operates. Learn which files you need to submit for your business.

Now that we’ve laid out the groundwork for you, start registering your business.

Looking for some more guidance? The Indiana Small Business Development Center is available to help. Schedule a consultation with experts.

More from INDYtoday
Chase the rainbow at these St. Patrick’s Day events around the Circle City.
Did you know Indianapolis used to have its own gossip newspaper, ala Lady Whistledown from “Bridgerton?” Here’s a brief history of “The Locomotive.”
Dining in Indy is always a fresh experience with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
We stumbled upon records of a long-lost bookstore and publishing company with the name of W.K. Stewart that was owned by a relative of Kurt Vonnegut. Here’s everything we know — and what we’re still trying to find out.
Enjoy dinner and a show when you visit one of these local hibachi restaurants.
Help conserve water and lower the cost of your bills by building an eco-friendly rainwater collection system in your backyard.
Avril Lavigne? Check. Keith Urban? Check. It’s not a bad idea to triple-check this list and get your concert tickets before they sell out.
Do you know the origin story of the pork tenderloin? Here’s how, when, and where every Hoosier’s favorite sandwich was created.
There’s no place like a Lustron home. Here’s a quick history lesson on the iconic + rare midcentury houses, plus where you can peep some for yourself around Indy.