Innovate WithIN high school pitch competition to be hosted by Purdue Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) - STARTedUP Foundation's "Innovate WithIN" high school pitch competition will be hosted by Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW).

The Innovate WithIN program is the largest high school pitch competition in the country and this month consists of 51 teams competing across the state.

PFW is hosting the Region 5 competition on its campus on April 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the International Ballroom at Walb Student Union.

The public can attend in person or watch the competition remotely.

Registration information can be found here.

10 teams will be participating, with the top two moving on to the state competition, with the opportunity to advance to the national competition in Washington D.C.

The teams are:

Amplify Fort Wayne: Versailles Burnett, Eli Clough, Hunter Ngo - AMP Lab at Electric Works

Communi: Seth Cavinder, Emilie Henry, Adrianna Senteney - AMP Lab at Electric Works

Eco Lures: Zachary Owens, Tristan Paquer - Manchester Jr-Sr High School

ETL Visions Inc.: I'Anna Ritumalta, Saul Robles, Jasmine Rodriguez - AMP Lab at Electric Works

Intellikits: Nash Brown, Aiden Nichols, Coller Wueller - DeKalb High School

JLs: Jennifer Loo, Jocelyn Lopez - AMP Lab at Electric Works

Mono: Samsawn Pakasawn - AMP Lab at Electric Works

Rapid Roots: Eli Edmond, Coltyn Sellers - Wabash High School

TNL Film Production: Tatum Lockhart - Garrett High School

Travida: Landen Zwick - AMP Lab at Electric Works

Teams will compete in the national competition for $25,000 in venture capital funding and $10,000 in 529 funds.

Don Wettrick, co-founder and CEO of the Foundation, said, "As an educator of 25 years. when you bring a mindset of innovation into the classroom, things change for students. These young people are able to visualize real-world opportunities and are challenged to explore their own entrepreneurial passions."

In addition to the chance for financial assistance for competitors who end up enrolling at PFW, students are also connected to business and civic leaders who share their passion for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Chancellor Ron Elsenbaumer recorded a brief introduction to the university and explains why PFW is excited about the opportunity to support this competition. The recording can be viewed here.