Southeast Indiana’s Top Student Innovators to Compete in Innovate WithIN’s Region 6 Pitch Competition
JEFFERSONVILLE, 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 Southeast 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 6 competition will take place at Maker13 on April 22, 2025, from 9 AM - 1 PM EST. Hosted in partnership with Maker13, this event provides young innovators a platform to present their ventures before a panel of esteemed judges, gaining valuable feedback and mentorship opportunities.
“We are thrilled to host the Innovate WithIN Pitch Competition for Region 6 again this year. The STARTedUP Foundation does incredible work across the state year-round with schools, educators, and students for all things innovation and entrepreneurship and we are appreciative to partner with this team to continue accelerating our aligned goals,” said Kyleigh Hublar, Executive Director of Maker13. “With entrepreneurship being one of the key values at Maker13, we look forward to seeing these students share more about their business and supporting them as a local entrepreneurial support organization. Between the creative solutions the students come up with, the research and planning they do, and their presentation skills - it’s not only amazing, but inspiring. On behalf of our board of directors, staff, and members, we are so proud of all the students who submitted for the competition and want to thank our regional educators and the entire team at The STARTedUP Foundation for another successful year.”
Region 6 Student Teams:
CharLeigh's Creations – CharLeigh Combs, Lawrenceburg High School
Easy Life – Andrea Heideman, Seymour Senior High School
Initiate Design – Albert Hudepohl, Oldenburg Academy
Ground Soccer Socks – Leanna Rotondo, Charlestown Senior High School
Journey Well – Tucker Harris, William Trask & Samuel Didat, Floyd Central High School
LocalLink – Christian Mack, Oldenburg Academy
Rose's Story Vines – Katrina Britt, Jeffersonville High School
Polyrenew – Krishna Hosamani, Columbus North High School
Snapshot – Jill Witkemper & Elana Hollingsworth, Oldenburg Academy
Visitube – Max Vanderhoof, Kishan Patel & Hikari Shiga, Floyd Central 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 proud to once again collaborate with Maker 13, which has established itself as a vital hub for innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Don Wettrick, co-founder and CEO of the STARTedUP Foundation. “Their commitment to connecting teachers, students, and the broader community has made this one of our fastest-growing regions. Maker 13's efforts to build relationships and expand their network have played a key role in fostering an environment where students can thrive.”
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 Floyd County Redevelopment Commission, Lifeboost Coffee and Purvey 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-6
About Maker13
Maker13 is a locally owned and operated 501c3 organization that supports education, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and arts and culture. Having started 10 years ago as the Maker Mobile, they now operate both the mobile unit and the shop located in Jeffersonville Indiana’s NoCo Arts District. At the shop, people can learn the skills to run a variety of equipment such as CNC routers, laser cutters, 3D printers, embroidery machines, and a plethora of woodshop and metal shop equipment. Maker13’s mission is “to give individuals, entrepreneurs, students, and small businesses access to tools, training, education, exposure, and knowledge to innovate”. You are invited to learn more at Make13.com and come by the shop for a tour!
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 www.startedupfoundation.org.
