Entrepreneurship can bloom from many places, including high schools.
Students can pitch their big ideas at the STARTedUP Challenge, formerly known as Innovate WithIN.
Budding entrepreneurs first join the challenge to receive guidance to help them turn their ideas into a business pitch. Then they refine that idea, learn and discover their strengths. Finally, they submit their pitch for a chance at a $25,000 prize, mentorship, travel and more. Pitches must be submitted by March 6.
Ten teams will be chosen in seven regions to compete at the regional level. The winners will move on to finals June 12 at Butler University. Each team member, up to three students, will receive $1,000 to refine their pitches. Three wildcard teams will be chosen throughout the state to join, too.
Butler University and Purdue University Northwest offer scholarships at all levels.
Alexis Karahalios, Abby Mena and Jocelyn Aguirre of Munster High School earned second place last year for their pitch at the Innovate WithIN state finals. Septo is a plant-powered, X-shaped bandage that wraps around vulnerable joints to noninvasively monitor infections in real time.
The Alumnus of the Year recognition went to Faith Spencer for her work advancing youth entrepreneurship. Based in Gary, Spencer’s nonprofit, IronWorkz, is supporting emerging founders and giving back to the same community that sparked her own journey through Innovate WithIN.
At No. 8 for the best state to start a business, according to WalletHub, Indiana scored highest in the costs, resources and business environment categories. To support that environment for starting and growing businesses, Gov. Mike Braun started an office of entrepreneurship in July.
“Our goal is to make Indiana the best place in the country to start and build your own business, and the office of entrepreneurship and innovation led by Brian Schutt will be a nation-leading resource to help Main Street entrepreneurs,” Braun said in a press release.
The STARTedUp Foundation has been building that entrepreneurial ecosystem since 2018. It helps teachers and students with big ideas.
