G-Unity Foundation, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and The STARTedUP Foundation, partner to ignite youth entrepreneurship in Indianapolis
25 October 2023 – Indianapolis – In a groundbreaking partnership, G-Unity Foundation, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and The STARTedUP Foundation are coming together to ignite the spirit of entrepreneurship among Indianapolis youth. This dynamic collaboration aims to leverage the unique strengths of each organization to provide young innovators with unparalleled opportunities for growth and development.
While these organizations have distinct missions, they share a common goal - to empower the next generation of leaders and innovators. The STARTedUP Foundation focuses on equipping students with entrepreneurial skills and a problem-solving mindset. Pacers Sports & Entertainment, a prominent figure in the sports and entertainment industry, is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people across Indiana and fostering community engagement. G-Unity Foundation, founded by the multifaceted artist and entrepreneur Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, is committed to supporting underserved youth and helping them achieve their dreams.
The intersection of these missions forms the bedrock of this partnership, uniting three entities behind a singular vision: to cultivate a mindset of innovation among Indianapolis youth. The cornerstone of this collaboration is the upcoming Innovation Workshops, set to take place on November 14, 2023, and January 11, 2024, at the prestigious Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
These workshops will serve as a catalyst for students to engage in design thinking activities, tackle Innovation Challenges presented by Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and present their business concepts to local mentors and community leaders. Together, these activities will nurture creative thinking and problem-solving skills in young minds.
“I am proud to have my G-Unity Foundation join forces with the Indiana Pacers and the STARTedUP Foundation to support this innovative program aimed at helping young people gain critical experience through team building and formal skills training. I look forward to seeing what the future has to offer for our program participants.” Said Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.
“PS&E measures its impact as much by what we accomplish off the court as on it, and supporting programs that give young people access to upward mobility and long-term success has always been central to the philanthropic and community mission of our organization,” said PS&E Chief Executive Officer Rick Fuson.
"Our mission has always been to foster entrepreneurial thinking in students,” said Don Wettrick, CEO of The STARTedUP Foundation. “By partnering with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and G-Unity, we expand our reach and provide students with unparalleled opportunities."
Beyond the immediate benefits of the Innovation Workshops, the partnership will open doors for participating students to submit business pitches to Innovate WithIN, a high school pitch competition led by The STARTedUP Foundation. After the workshop, G-Unity Foundation will identify two standout teams to receive $2,000 in seed funding, enabling them to further develop their business ideas. Furthermore, one of these teams will earn the prestigious "Team 50" nomination, advancing to the central Indiana Innovate WithIN regional competition in April.
This collaboration represents a powerful convergence of resources, expertise, and passion, all dedicated to inspiring a new generation of innovative leaders. By combining the strengths of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, The STARTedUP Foundation, and G-Unity, this partnership will leave an indelible mark on the future of Indianapolis and the young entrepreneurs who will shape it.
For more information about the upcoming Innovation Workshops, please visit startedupfoundation.org/innovation-workshop.
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About The STARTedUP Foundation
The STARTedUP Foundation officially launched in 2018 to start building the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. This is accomplished through three key initiatives: Spark, Develop, and Accelerate. Beginning with sparking innovation through the Innovate WithIN pitch competition; continuing to develop students through an educator fellowship; and accelerating innovation through the creation of an alumni association for all students previously engaged with STARTedUP.
About G-Unity Foundation
Founded by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson in 2003, the G-Unity Foundation supports programs that foster conscious capitalism as well as social and leadership skills for youth nationwide. Through both public and private partnerships, The G-Unity Foundation works to fund, administer and support programming aimed at serving communities in need. In Houston, the G-Unity Foundation partners with the Houston Independent School District to create The G-Unity Business Lab at six (6) High Schools. The after-school entrepreneurship program, offers students the chance to learn core business values and teaches practical skills to develop business ideas with input from area business leaders, corporations and visiting professors, including Jackson. In connection with Jackson’s growing professional sports partnership program, the G-Unity Foundation has expanded its reach as a close working partner with the respective charitable foundation arms of the Houston Rockets, the Houston Astros, the Houston Texans, the Sacramento Kings, the Indiana Pacers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Washington Commanders. Additionally, Jackson remains active contributing his time and resources to support various community outreach programs and charities including the NAACP Toy Drive, Houston's Christmas Eve Super Feast, the Houston Symphony, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the American Cancer Society and various, local, regional and National charities. Every Thanksgiving, Jackson and his Foundation sponsor Turkey Drives in multiple cities across the US. To learn more about Jackson's The G-Unity Foundation and to support his charitable endeavors, please visit www.gunityfoundation.org.
About Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Pacers Sports & Entertainment is an integrated sports and entertainment company including the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, an NBA G League affiliate, Pacers Gaming, Pacers Foundation, Inc., and operations of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Its team of inspired and dedicated employees has a shared purpose of winning through a commitment to excellence, serving the local community and entertaining fans and guests.
