Innovation with Heart: Primary Record’s Recognition in Indiana’s Entrepreneurial Spotlight

IEDC + Primary Record

This week, as Indiana joins the global celebration of entrepreneurship during Global Entrepreneurship Week (Nov. 18–22), Primary Record is honored to be featured in the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s (IEDC) 2024 Entrepreneurship Indiana yearbook. This annual publication highlights inspiring stories of innovation and community impact from across the state, and we are grateful to be recognized for our contributions to Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the healthcare industry. Here’s more on Primary Record’s story and vision for innovation.

Primary Record: Innovation Rooted in Compassion

Primary Record was founded by Jean Ross, a nurse determined to solve a critical issue she witnessed daily: the overwhelming burden of managing health information for patients and families in complex medical situations.

“It’s amazing to be on this side, impacting patient care in a different way. I selfishly, too, am also trying to help my nursing colleagues because we’re often the band-aid and the plugger of holes in that dam that’s bursting because we have to go find the data when the families don’t.”

Jean Ross, RN

CEO & Co-Founder

The journey began in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the world. What started as a care coordination business idea evolved into a health information platform, thanks to Ross’s collaboration with her neighbor and tech expert, Jim McIntosh. Supported by resources like the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Indiana Technical Assistance Program (INTAP), Primary Record secured $1.3 million in funding and continues to grow.

A Testament to Indiana’s Entrepreneurial Support

Ross highlights the supportive environment Indiana provides for startups. “Here I feel so supported. I know I’m very lucky,” she says, crediting organizations like Startup Ladies and the Axis Mentor Program for their invaluable guidance.

Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem fosters innovation and growth, with young companies contributing significantly to the state’s economic health. In 2022 alone, companies under five years old created 58,000 new jobs and contributed $11.5 billion to Indiana’s GDP in 2021. These achievements underscore the impact of small businesses and the vital role of initiatives like Entrepreneurship Indiana in nurturing the next generation of founders.

Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem fosters innovation and growth, with young companies contributing significantly to the state’s economic health. In 2022 alone, companies under five years old created 58,000 new jobs and contributed $11.5 billion to Indiana’s GDP in 2021. These achievements underscore the impact of small businesses and the vital role of initiatives like Entrepreneurship Indiana in nurturing the next generation of founders.

Transforming Healthcare, One Story at a Time

While the startup landscape excites Ross, her focus remains on the individuals Primary Record serves. She recalls a moment with a Korean-American woman who discovered she could input her mother’s health information into the platform and translate it into Korean. “She started crying,” Ross says, pausing to collect herself. “Just showing her that her mom gets to ask questions in her own language. The dignity of that.”

Looking Ahead

As Indiana celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week and its rich entrepreneurial heritage, Primary Record is proud to be part of a community that values innovation, resilience, and human connection. Our inclusion in the 2024 Entrepreneurship Indiana yearbook is a milestone we share with all the patients, families, and collaborators who inspire our work daily.

Thank you to the IEDC, PATTERN, and the entire Indiana entrepreneurial ecosystem for supporting founders and celebrating the transformative power of innovation.

Let’s continue to build, inspire, and innovate—together.


Manage Care With Primary Record

Primary Record was created to help families (like yours) manage care in real-time. Sign-up at https://www.primaryrecord.com/ to begin your journey to better healthcare outcomes

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