Innovate WithIN: Bringing innovation into the classroom

Innovate WithIN offers year-long programming that teaches students to view the world through a lens of entrepreneurship and innovation. The program culminates into a statewide pitch competition that is free and available to all Indiana high school students - offering everything from scholarships to seed funding, all accompanied by a detailed online toolkit that will help students come up with winning ideas and create a well thought out pitch. Innovate WithIN companion course is available for both individual and classroom use.

Innovate WithIN is so much more than just a pitch competition.

As students move along in the competition phase, they will have the opportunity to compete regionally and statewide, meet entrepreneurs, receive seed funding, and travel to Washington, D.C. All students who qualify for the Regional Competitions are invited to attend the STARTedUP Alumni Association where they can grow their network, connect with potential job opportunities, and could join an international immersion trip.

9,105 students have participated in Innovate WithIN since 2018

Have attended Immersion Trips

94 students

$650,000+ awarded to students since 2018

Scholarship opportunities in 2023

$15.6M available

What does Innovate WithIN look like from submitting an application to joining the Alumni Association?

Dream it.
Design your business idea and practice your pitch.

It all begins with an idea. Through the STARTedUP curriculum, you will create a business plan, video pitch, and summary. Make sure to submit your application in time so you do not miss out on this life-changing experience!

Pitch it.
Pitch your idea at the Regional Competition.

After you’ve submitted your Innovate WithIN application, the top ten teams in your area will be chosen to compete at Regionals! Your team will present your pitch to a panel of local judges and the top two teams will progress onto State.

Build it.
Expand your business model at STARTedUP Bootcamp.

After Regionals, the top two teams in each area will join an eight-week bootcamp to build their business and connect with top Indiana entrepreneurs as they prepare for the nationally-recognized Innovate WithIN State Competition.

Launch it.
Compete in the State Finals for scholarships and seed funding.

After you meet with the experts and renovate your idea, you will travel to Indianapolis to share your business with the community and pitch your idea during the State Competition. Business leaders from across the nation witness these pitches!

Share it.
Travel to Washington, D.C. on an immersion trip.

Don’t let your business stop after State. All State Finalists are invited on an Immersion trip as we travel to a city buzzing with entrepreneurs and innovative thought leaders! In the past, we have gone to places like Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Tampa, and more.

Experience it.
Attend an international immersion trip through the Alumni Association.

Why stop after the Regional Competition? All regional finalists are invited to join the STARTedUP Alumni Association with opportunities for international travel, global networking, connections to internships, and so much more!

Your idea matters.

Take your business from an idea to reality with the Innovate WithIN pitch competition - the most elite high school pitch competition in the country.

Innovate WithIN is so much more than just a way to turn your idea or concept into a business.

  1. You can earn THOUSANDS of dollars in scholarships and 529 funds to Indiana colleges and universities (and you literally receive scholarship money by submitting a completed pitch)

  2. You can win up to $25,000 in seed funding to grow your business at the State Finals

  3. State finalists travel to Washington, D.C. and meet awesome business leaders, government officials, and entrepreneurs while STARTedUP Alumni (aka everyone who makes it to Regionals) have the opportunity to travel the globe

  4. You will make connections with some of the most respected and highly recognized global influencers, entrepreneurs and business leaders

  5. You have access to a detailed online course that will walk you through everything you need to know to submit a winning pitch and prepare you for the competition.

…so basically you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by applying for Innovate WithIN.

Meet our 2023 Innovate WithIN State Finalists!

Clean Line
Nathan Dierckman & Makayla Phillips
First Place Winner

Tow Scout
Benjamin Eberle
Second Place Winner

Intellikits
Nash Brown & Connor Wueller
People’s Choice Award Recipient

Novos
Joshua Avila, Austin Beetson & Sayeed Mohammed
Third Place Winner

Communi
Seth Cavinder, Emilie Henry & Adrianna Senteney

Cancer Catch
Suhani Lodha & Jacqueline Roth

Legaltec
Jude Allaw, Ethan Hilton & Mann Patel

Dr. Orthopedic
Claire Deardorff & Jennifer Vazquez

Red Applications
Liam Lloyd & Edgar Medina

Osci Charge
Josiah Findley & Ian Jack