Northeast Indiana’s Top Student Innovators to Compete in Innovate WithIN’s Region 5 Pitch Competition
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (March 28th, 2025) – The STARTedUP Foundation’s Innovate WithIN competition, the nation’s largest high school pitch competition, is set to showcase the best young entrepreneurs in Northeast Indiana.
Across the state, 60 teams are competing in six regional pitch competitions, with 10 teams in each region. The winners of each regional event will move on to the State Finals in June at Butler University, where they will compete for $25,000 in seed funding, scholarships, travel experiences, mentorship, and additional entrepreneurial resources.
The Region 5 competition will take place at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on April 17, 2025, from 9 AM - 1 PM EST. Hosted in partnership with Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana's JA Career Ignite Fair, this competition provides young innovators a platform to present their ventures before a panel of esteemed judges, gaining valuable feedback and mentorship opportunities.
“At Junior Achievement, we’re all about preparing the next generation for what comes after high school—whether that’s college, a career, or launching their own business,” said Lena Yarian, President of Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana. “Innovate WithIN and our JA Career Ignite event give students a real taste of what it means to think big, pitch bold ideas, and take charge of their futures. It’s hands-on, high-energy, and exactly the kind of experience that helps young people turn potential into possibility."
Region 5 Student Teams:
All-Nighter Games – Isaiah Clark, Carroll High School
Hana – Amr Alquran, AMP Lab at Electric Works
Happy Chappys – Jose Chan & Brian Griewahn, AMP Lab at Electric Works
Iconix – Maxwell Taylor & Preston Schere, Wawasee High School
pARTly Clear – Lillith Baker, Dameon Pocock & Aung Lay, AMP Lab at Electric Works
RecruitED – Paul Swonger, Garrett High School
Restore Furniture Upcycling – Bridget Dunn, Dekalb High School
Tailored Bites – Ruby Campbell-Carpenter & Emma Sanders, AMP Lab at Electric Works
True Blue – Lydia Yoder & Kyla La Rue, Dekalb High School
YLLE – Elly Cossairt, Garrett High School
This year’s competition highlights the continued success of the STARTedUP Innovation Educator Fellowship, which has now expanded to include 100 educators. Over 30 fellows from 33 schools have teams participating in the regional pitch competitions, further demonstrating the program’s significant impact in fostering entrepreneurial education.
“We are excited to partner with Junior Achievement for the first time at Career Ignite,” said Don Wettrick, co-founder and CEO of the STARTedUP Foundation. “This will offer students a unique opportunity to present their ideas in a fast-paced environment where they can gain invaluable feedback from a large audience of peers and industry leaders. By combining the excitement of pitching with the energetic atmosphere of Career Ignite, we are empowering young people to think big and take charge of their futures.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the Indiana Small Business Development Center have been longtime supporters of Innovate WithIN. All regional finalists will meet with their local ISBDC advisors to refine their business models and prepare for the competition with expert guidance. We also extend our appreciation to the Don Wood Foundation, Doral, and Indiana Tech for their support of this region’s pitch competition.
In addition, Innovate WithIN continues to secure scholarship opportunities for competitors through partnerships with institutions such as Depauw University, Grace College, Indiana Tech, Purdue University Fort Wayne, and Purdue University Northwest. These partnerships provide valuable educational opportunities for students, further supporting their entrepreneurial journeys.
The event is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend to support these young entrepreneurs. More details and RSVP information can be found at https://www.startedupfoundation.org/region-5
About Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana
Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana delivered nearly 184,000 learning experiences to students and young adults during the 2023-2024 school year. These experiences foster work-readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy skills and use experiential learning to inspire young people to dream big and reach their potential. Learn more at northernindiana.ja.org/events/ja-career-ignite
About the STARTedUP Foundation
The STARTedUP Foundation is an Indiana-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming classrooms into hubs of innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry alignment. Through student competitions, educator fellowships, and real-world partnerships, STARTedUP inspires the next generation of problem-solvers and creators. Learn more at startedupfoundation.org.
