You’ve seen the skyline. If you’ve spent more than five minutes in downtown Indianapolis, you’ve definitely looked up at the Salesforce Tower or driven past the massive, sprawling campus of Eli Lilly. But honestly? Most people only know the names on the buildings. They don't really know who is actually running the show in this town or how much weight these giants carry in the local economy.
Indianapolis isn't just a "sports town" or the "Crossroads of America" because of some highways. It is an absolute powerhouse for life sciences, logistics, and insurance. We’re talking about big companies in Indianapolis that don't just employ thousands—they practically dictate the city's pulse.
Let's get into the heavy hitters and what’s actually happening behind those glass facades in 2026.
The Pharmaceutical King: Eli Lilly and Company
It is impossible to talk about Indy without starting with Lilly. Founded way back in 1876, this company is the bedrock of the city. While they have a global reach, their heart is right here.
Lilly isn’t just "big." They are an economic engine. In fact, for every single person Lilly hires, it’s estimated that another 1.8 jobs are created elsewhere in the Indiana economy. That is a massive multiplier. They employ over 12,000 people in Indianapolis alone. Think about that. That is like a small city’s worth of scientists, marketers, and administrators all working for one entity.
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Lately, they’ve been pouring billions into expansion, specifically in areas like Boone County, but the downtown headquarters remains the brain of the operation. If you’re looking for the top of the food chain, this is it.
The Health Insurance Giant: Elevance Health (Anthem)
You probably still call them Anthem. Most people do. But the parent company, Elevance Health, is a Fortune 50 powerhouse headquartered right here.
They are the largest for-profit managed health care company in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. They don't just "process claims." They are massive. We are talking about a company that manages the health data and insurance for millions. In Indy, they are one of the top non-government employers.
One thing people get wrong: they think Elevance is just a local office. Nope. This is the global headquarters. Decisions made on Virginia Avenue affect healthcare policy across the entire country.
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The Tech Hub: Salesforce
The Salesforce Tower is the tallest building in Indiana. It’s hard to miss. While Salesforce isn’t "from" here (they’re based in San Francisco), Indianapolis is their second-largest hub in the world.
Why Indy? Basically, they bought a local success story called ExactTarget years ago and decided to make this their marketing cloud headquarters.
- Employee count: Roughly 2,300+ in Indy.
- The Vibe: High-energy tech, though they’ve been trimming their real estate footprint lately as hybrid work becomes the permanent norm.
- The Tower: It’s a literal landmark. If you’re a local, you use it as a compass.
Agriculture’s New Powerhouse: Corteva Agriscience
Corteva is a fascinating one because it’s a relatively "new" name with a very old history. It was born out of the DowDuPont merger and subsequent spin-off.
They are a global leader in seed technology and crop protection. Honestly, if you eat corn or soybeans, there’s a high chance Corteva had a hand in the genetics of that crop. As of 2026, they are going through some big changes—splitting their seed and crop protection businesses to be more nimble.
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They have a massive presence on the northwest side of Indy. It’s a hub of high-tech greenhouses and labs that you’d never expect to find tucked away in a suburban-feeling office park.
The Heavy Metal: Cummins Inc.
Technically, Cummins is headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (about an hour south), but you cannot ignore their presence in Indianapolis. Their global distribution headquarters is a stunning piece of architecture downtown.
Cummins is the king of engines. Diesel, natural gas, and now they are pushing hard into "Destination Zero"—their plan for zero-emissions power. They are a massive employer for engineers and logistics experts in the region.
The List Most People Forget: Logistics and Retail
Indy is the "Crossroads of America" for a reason. Because of our location, we have massive hubs for companies that move stuff.
- FedEx: The Indianapolis hub is the second-largest in their global network. Only Memphis is bigger. Thousands of people work there in the middle of the night while the rest of the city sleeps.
- Simon Property Group: They are the biggest mall owner in the country. Based right here. If you’ve been to a high-end mall anywhere in the US, Simon probably owns it.
- Roche Diagnostics: Located on the northeast side, they are a global leader in medical testing. They have over 4,000 employees at their North American headquarters in Indy.
Why This Matters for You
If you’re looking for a job, these are the places with the most stability. But more importantly, these big companies in Indianapolis are why the city has such a high concentration of specialized talent.
We have a "Life Sciences" corridor that rivals almost anywhere in the world. When Lilly or Roche grows, a dozen smaller biotech startups pop up nearby. It’s an ecosystem.
Actionable Next Steps for Navigating Indy’s Corporate Landscape
- Target the "Big Three" Sectors: If you're moving to Indy or looking for a career pivot, focus on Life Sciences (Lilly/Roche), Insurance (Elevance/OneAmerica), or Logistics (FedEx/Amazon). These are the most recession-proof industries in the city.
- Watch the Northside: While downtown has the towers, a huge chunk of the corporate employment—especially in tech and medical diagnostics—is clustered in the 82nd Street/Keystone and Carmel corridors.
- Network Through TechPoint: If you want to get into the tech scene dominated by Salesforce and its offshoots, TechPoint is the local organization that connects everyone.
- Check the Private Giants: Don't just look at the stock market. Massive private companies like OneAmerica (finance) and Keystone Cooperative (ag) are huge employers that often fly under the radar compared to the public Fortune 500s.