Interested in 2026?
Curious about turning your ideas into something real? Innovate WithIN is designed to teach you how to come up with a business idea, develop it, and tell your story with confidence. The competition is just the final step. Along the way, you’ll get the tools, guidance, and support to build something of your own.
Want in for 2026? Fill out our interest form and be the first to know when registration opens!
Application portal opens on September 1st!
About Innovate WithIN
The most elite high school pitch competition in the country.
Innovate WithIN offers year-long programming that teaches students to view the world through a lens of entrepreneurship and innovation. The program culminates in a statewide pitch competition that is free and available to all Indiana high school students - offering everything from scholarships to 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.
9,154 students have participated in Innovate WithIN since 2018
94 students attended immersion trips
Millions available in scholarship opportunities
The Process
So much more than just a pitch competition.
As students move along in the competition phase, they will have the opportunity to compete across the state, meet entrepreneurs, receive funding, and travel to Washington, D.C. All students who qualify for the Regional Competitions are invited to join the STARTedUP Alumni Association where they can grow their network, take advantage of new opportunities, and have access to resources that can allow them to launch or scale their venture.
$650,000+ awarded to students since 2018
The Competition Timeline
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 submitting your application, the top ten teams in your area will advance to Regionals. There, you’ll pitch to local judges, and the winner moves on to State Finals. Plus, four wildcard teams from across Indiana will also advance.
Build it.
Expand your business model at STARTedUP Bootcamp.
After Regionals, the top ten teams will engage in an eight-week bootcamp to build their business and connect with top Indiana entrepreneurs as they prepare for the nationally-recognized Innovate WithIN State Finals Pitch Competition.
Launch it.
Compete in State Finals for scholarships and a $25,000 prize.
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 State Finals. 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!
Go from idea to
Reality
With Innovate WithIN….
There are MILLIONS of dollars in scholarships and other incentives up for grabs to Indiana colleges and universities. You will be eligible to earn scholarships by just simply submitting your pitch.
You can win up to $25,000 in funding to grow your business at the State Finals.
This year, state finalists travel to Washington, D.C. and meet industry leaders, government officials, and entrepreneurs.
You will make connections with some of the most respected and highly recognized innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders.
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.
You will have the potential to join an engaged Alumni Association, comprised of former Innovate WithIN regional & state competitors.
Want some inspiration?
Check out the the 2025 State lineup:
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Lovey Duv
Lyla Schultz
Lovey Duv Sugar Scrub is an all-natural, organic skincare product that gently exfoliates, deeply hydrates, and restores a healthy, radiant glow to all skin types.
School: Perry Central Jr-Sr High School
Region 1
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SpheriLine
Kelly Fulk & Maxwell Gootee
SpheriLine innovates upon central lines to fight infection risks, improve patient experiences, and to support nurses.
School: Carmel High School
Region 2
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NextGen Research Institute
Prabanjan Jayachandran & Tianle Liang
NextGen connects high schoolers all across the world with real-world research opportunities at less than 1% the cost of our competitors.
School: Zionsville Community High School
Region 2
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Compleyes.ai
Raina Maiga & Truman Greaves
Compleyes.ai helps manufacturing companies streamline environmental compliance by automating manual reporting tasks with AI-powered tools.
Schools: Purdue Polytechnic High School Schweitzer Center at Englewood & Zionsville Community High School
Region 3
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SafetyGlow
Ashton Verbish
SafetyGlow enhances road safety with a retractable, highly-visible LED light strip for trucks, making broken-down vehicles easy to spot in dark conditions, reducing the risk of accidents on highways.
School: Hanover Central High School
Region 4
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Septo
Alexis Karahalios, Abigil Mena &Jocelyn Aguirre
Septo provides a simple, noninvasive solution for infection tracking through an X-shaped, plant-powered bandage designed to comfortably wrap around vulnerable joints.
School: Munster High School
Region 4
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True Blue
Lydia Yoder & Kyla La Rue
True Blue is dedicated to raising awareness about juvenile diabetes through educational outreach programs in elementary schools.
School: Dekalb High School
Region 5
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Tailored Bites
Ruby Campbell-Carpenter & Emma Sanders
Tailored Bites offers affordable, high-quality, dog and cat food tailored to pets dietary needs using locally sourced ingredients.
School: AMP Lab at Electric Works, North Side High School, Wayne High School
Region 5
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VisiTube
Max Vanderhoof, Kishan Patel & Hikari Shiga
VisiTube is a glow-in-the-dark cover for medical tubing that helps prevent falls and brings peace of mind to patients, caregivers, and families.
School: Floyd Central High School
Region 6
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GripGuard Soccer Sox
Leanna Rotondo
GripGuard Soccer Sox’s mission is to reduce landfill waste, improve performance factors for athletes, and protect them by introducing a higher quality sock with innovative grip technology.
School: Charlestown Senior High School
Region 6
