The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest is hosting the Uthiverse StartUp Madness Business Pitch Tournament on March 30.
The inaugural event is a pitch competition for high school students participating in entrepreneurship programs.
Thirty-two teams will compete live in a bracket-style tournament. They have the chance to win $2,500 in seed money for their businesses. Winners can use the money to improve their ideas, develop prototypes and implement marketing strategies. The money can also fund other activities related to their venture.
“Across the Region, throughout the state of Indiana, and across the nation there is a movement to create a youth entrepreneurship ecosystem,” said Ken Patrick Barry, co-founder of The Uthiverse, in a press release.
A Gary native, Barry has worked with teens who want to launch businesses. After observing how other organizations are training teens, he and his wife, Nicole, founded The Ulthiverse.
“Providing additional opportunities for seed money to help teens take another step toward the successful launch of their dream ventures seemed to be one of the greatest needs that we would help meet,” Barry said.
“There is an overwhelming need to provide more of these pitch showcases and competitions for the growing number of high school students in our Region who are designing and launching a business,” said Jason Williams, assistant director of the Society of Innovators.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 30 at the Fitness and Recreation Center on PNW’s Hammond campus.
Applications are open for the competition. The deadline to apply is March 8. More information about the event is available here.
The Society of Innovators was founded in 2004. It is affiliated with Purdue Northwest. The society champions and celebrates innovation in the Region.
The Ulthiverse offers a space for teens to explore a variety of opportunities as they transition to adulthood. The organization focuses on mental health, college and career readiness, workforce development and entrepreneurship.
