An idea for a line of clothing designed to eliminate muscle cramps took top honors in the Region 6 finals of the Innovate WithIN competition.
Allison Bradford, a student at Hobart High School, was selected over nine other entries in the Region 6 finals hosted virtually by Purdue University Northwest and the Society of Innovators at PNW on April 20.
Bradford’s company, Cramps Revamped, created leggings, which she named Ovar-ease, designed to eliminate cramps using a comfortable high-rise compression waistband with heat technology. She advances to the state competition set for 2 p.m. June 19 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis.
Innovate WithIN, now in its fourth year, gives students the opportunity to create their own business plans and showcase entrepreneurial ideas throughout the state. The overall winners each receive a $10,000 cash prize, $10,000 toward one year of in-state tuition, college scholarship award opportunities, internship opportunities and mentoring services.
For the 2021 competition, more than 800 students from 128 high schools, representing 68 of Indiana’s 92 counties participated in Round 1.
“Our regional high school students were truly poised and professional in their presentations,” said Sheila Matias, executive director of the Leadership Institute and Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest. “As they answered questions from the team of judges, you could hear their thought processes and how well-prepared they were, having really done a deep-dive in research and design of their project concept.”
Prior to the state competition each of the regional winners will participate in a five-week bootcamp intended to help them refine or pivot their ideas to give them the greatest potential for success at the state event. Students taking part in the state finals will be competing to win $10,000 to continue building their business, $10,000 for future education in a 529 plan and $5,000 toward their entrepreneurial, immersion trip experience.
A replay of the Region 6 finals can be viewed on the event’s Facebook page.
