#1 Best State for Business in the Midwest
Chief Executive, 2024
Global Companies
Choose Indiana
From tech startups to pharmaceutical giants, import-export businesses find opportunity in Indiana. Our state offers an unparalleled industry ecosystem, a stable pro-business climate, and a community people love to call home.
Indiana Is a Premier Logistics Hub in the Heart of the American Midwest.
With a strategic location and affordable real estate, companies come to Indiana for a competitive edge. We connect you with a network of resources to strengthen your supply chain, and our workforce boasts all the talent of the coasts—without the extra costs.
But employees love Indiana because our quality of life is simply unmatched. Indiana possesses a unique culture of collaboration, where Hoosiers pride themselves on helping one another.
We remain humble and hard-working, focused on solving problems and driving progress with every iteration. This collaborative mindset makes us better leaders, better researchers, and better partners in the interconnected world of international business.
Indiana
State Motto
The Crossroads of America
Top Industries
Life Sciences, Automotive, Manufacturing & Logistics
Leading Universities
Purdue University, Indiana University, University of Notre Dame
Best Known For
Hospitality, Motorsports, Basketball, Strong Work Ethic, Being in the Center of the Action
Innovative Leaders. Reliable Business. Affordable Living.
Located outside the United States? Click your country’s flag below to learn about Indiana’s cultural and business relations with your nation.
USA
Canada (English)
Canada (French Canadian)
China
France
Germany
Ireland
India
Japan
South Korea
Sweden
United Kingdom
Indiana Fast Facts & Stats
$44.8 Billion in Foreign Direct Investment in Indiana
2017–2024
#1 Agricultural & Biological Engineering Program
Purdue University
(U.S. News & World Report, 2025)
(U.S. News & World Report, 2025)
#1 Best Place to Live in the U.S.
Carmel, Indiana
(Livability, 2024)
(Livability, 2024)
#1 State for Cost of Doing Business
Area Development, 2024
1,050+ Foreign-Owned Businesses in Indiana
#1 Largest Medical School in the U.S.
Indiana University
#3 Most Affordable State to Live
CNBC, 2023
#2 Best State to Start a Business
Forbes, 2024
100% Statewide Access to the FTZ Program
#4 Top U.S. University for Patents
Purdue University
(U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, 2024)
(U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, 2024)
#4 Best Market for First-Time Home Buyers
Navigate Housing, 2025
AAA Credit Rating
S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch
724 Million Tons of Freight Move Through Indiana Annually
Conexus Indiana, 2023
#4 State for Active Apprentices
Apprenticeship USA, 2025
3 of the Top 5 Safest Suburbs in the U.S.
SmartAsset, 2023
Spotlighting Indiana's Top Industries
A Global Leader in the Life Sciences
Indiana leads the nation as the #1 State for Life Sciences Exports, showcasing our expertise across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and the agbiosciences. We proudly embrace our agricultural roots, while pioneering the biotech breakthroughs that keep our people, plants, and animals healthy for years to come.
Our state is known for being the birthplace of modern orthopedics and the home of the largest medical school in the United States. Leading companies like Eli Lilly, Elanco, Roche North America, and Zimmer Biomet all built their headquarters here—and why?
Researchers benefit from Indiana’s built-in innovation ecosystem, where universities, startups, and nonprofits alike work together to support industry research in our most critical sectors.
- Eli Lilly
- Novartis
- Elanco
- Corteva
- Medtronic
- Roche Diagnostics
- Zimmer Biomet
- Cook Medical
- Johnson & Johnson
- Beck’s Hybrids
Video
Overview
Indiana leads the nation as the #1 State for Life Sciences Exports, showcasing our expertise across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and the agbiosciences. We proudly embrace our agricultural roots, while pioneering the biotech breakthroughs that keep our people, plants, and animals healthy for years to come.
Our state is known for being the birthplace of modern orthopedics and the home of the largest medical school in the United States. Leading companies like Eli Lilly, Elanco, Roche North America, and Zimmer Biomet all built their headquarters here—and why?
Researchers benefit from Indiana’s built-in innovation ecosystem, where universities, startups, and nonprofits alike work together to support industry research in our most critical sectors.
Key Companies
- Eli Lilly
- Novartis
- Elanco
- Corteva
- Medtronic
- Roche Diagnostics
- Zimmer Biomet
- Cook Medical
- Johnson & Johnson
- Beck’s Hybrids
Top State for Advanced Manufacturing Jobs
Manufacturing is the heart of Indiana’s economy, accounting for 26% of our state GDP and employing 1 in every 5 Hoosiers. We also maintain the highest concentration of advanced manufacturing jobs in the United States, providing an ample workforce of experienced talent ready to support your business.
Our state proactively invests in tech grants and training programs to help manufacturers stay on the cutting edge of Industry 4.0 innovation.
In addition to world-class universities like Purdue and Notre Dame, Indiana is also home to Ivy Tech—the largest singly accredited community college system in the United States. This higher education model expands access to valuable certifications in Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics, including everything from aviation to robotics.
- Cummins
- Borgwarner
- Rolls-Royce
- Toyota
- Subaru
- General Motors
- Eli Lilly
- Zimmer Biomet
- U.S. Steel
- Allison Transmission
Overview
Manufacturing is the heart of Indiana’s economy, accounting for 26% of our state GDP and employing 1 in every 5 Hoosiers. We also maintain the highest concentration of advanced manufacturing jobs in the United States, providing an ample workforce of experienced talent ready to support your business.
Our state proactively invests in tech grants and training programs to help manufacturers stay on the cutting edge of Industry 4.0 innovation.
In addition to world-class universities like Purdue and Notre Dame, Indiana is also home to Ivy Tech—the largest singly accredited community college system in the United States. This higher education model expands access to valuable certifications in Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics, including everything from aviation to robotics.
Key Companies
- Cummins
- Borgwarner
- Rolls-Royce
- Toyota
- Subaru
- General Motors
- Eli Lilly
- Zimmer Biomet
- U.S. Steel
- Allison Transmission
A Destination for High-Tech Innovation
In Indiana, we understand that technology transcends industry, fueling innovation and automation in every sector. That’s why tech companies thrive in our business ecosystem, where they have access to a network of industry leaders, over 20 Certified Tech Parks, and leading research institutions.
In fact, Indiana is the epicenter of vital Department of Defense research, leading the nation’s trusted microelectronics and hypersonics development at NSWC Crane.
From AI to semiconductors, Indiana remains one of the nation’s fastest-growing tech hubs—in part because we invest in startup incubation. Our active VC community and accelerator network offers essential resources for entrepreneurs and earns Indianapolis a place among the Best U.S. Cities to Start a Business.
- Salesforce
- Rolls-Royce
- Genesys
- Infosys
- Cummins
- Roche
- Raytheon
- BAE Systems
- L3Harris
- SK hynix
Video
Overview
In Indiana, we understand that technology transcends industry, fueling innovation and automation in every sector. That’s why tech companies thrive in our business ecosystem, where they have access to a network of industry leaders, over 20 Certified Tech Parks, and leading research institutions.
In fact, Indiana is the epicenter of vital Department of Defense research, leading the nation’s trusted microelectronics and hypersonics development at NSWC Crane.
From AI to semiconductors, Indiana remains one of the nation’s fastest-growing tech hubs—in part because we invest in startup incubation. Our active VC community and accelerator network offers essential resources for entrepreneurs and earns Indianapolis a place among the Best U.S. Cities to Start a Business.
Key Companies
- Salesforce
- Rolls-Royce
- Genesys
- Infosys
- Cummins
- Roche
- Raytheon
- BAE Systems
- L3Harris
- SK hynix
Build Cars at the Racing Capital of the World
Home to the Indy 500 and the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana knows how to build cars. Our automotive industry is the second largest in the United States, responsible for manufacturing 80% of the world’s RVs and over 1.3 million cars and trucks each year.
From EV batteries to AV racing, we drive the future of mobility, pioneering sustainable fuels while investing in autonomous technology. This blend of modern innovation and historic expertise ensures our talent is equipped to build the vehicles of tomorrow.
That’s why Indiana is home to over 500 auto suppliers and five OEM assembly plants, including the only Subaru manufacturing facility outside Japan.
- Subaru
- Honda
- Toyota
- Stellantis
- General Motors
- Bosch
- Denso
- Magna
- Continental AG
- Samsung SDI
Video
Overview
Home to the Indy 500 and the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana knows how to build cars. Our automotive industry is the second largest in the United States, responsible for manufacturing 80% of the world’s RVs and over 1.3 million cars and trucks each year.
From EV batteries to AV racing, we drive the future of mobility, pioneering sustainable fuels while investing in autonomous technology. This blend of modern innovation and historic expertise ensures our talent is equipped to build the vehicles of tomorrow.
That’s why Indiana is home to over 500 auto suppliers and five OEM assembly plants, including the only Subaru manufacturing facility outside Japan.
Key Companies
- Subaru
- Honda
- Toyota
- Stellantis
- General Motors
- Bosch
- Denso
- Magna
- Continental AG
- Samsung SDI
Indiana Connects You To The World
Our state is the Crossroads of America for a reason. Indiana is #1 in the United States for Highway Connectivity—with four major interstates that all intersect in our capital city. These interconnected crossroads make it easy for import-export companies to haul their freight more efficiently and affordably.
But our logistics network goes well beyond highways. Indiana is home to the nation’s leading airport system, border-to-border rail service, and three international water ports. In fact, Indiana has the only statewide port system with direct ocean access via the Great Lakes and the Ohio-Mississippi Rivers, connecting companies with two of America’s busiest waterways.
- The Indianapolis International Airport leads the nation, as the #1 Best Airport in North America for 13 years in a row.
- Indiana’s centralized location gives your company access to 80% of the U.S. population within just a day’s drive.
- Our airport is home to the #2 Largest FedEx Hub in the World—with the capacity to sort more than 2 million packages a day.
Do Business Smarter In
Indiana
Best of all, Indiana makes it simple for companies to save money on their import-export activities. In fact, ANY qualified business in Indiana can become a designated foreign-trade zone site.
Indiana is one of only five states in the U.S. with 100% access to the Foreign-Trade Zone program, which means your facility can become an FTZ anywhere across our 92 counties.
If you’re interested in becoming an FTZ in Central Indiana, INzone can guide you through the application process and start you on the path to savings.