Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Caucus Officially Launches, Draws Over 100 Attendees to the Indiana Statehouse
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (January 22, 2025) – More than 100 students, educators, and legislators from across Indiana gathered at the Indiana Statehouse for the official launch of the Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Caucus on January 15. Co-presented by members of the Indiana General Assembly and The STARTedUP Foundation, the event showcased Indiana’s commitment to cultivating a robust culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the state’s educational system and beyond.
The Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Caucus aims to empower young Hoosiers by providing the resources, mentorship, and skills needed to become the entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow. Through bipartisan support and strong community partnerships, the Caucus seeks to help students develop bold ideas and actively contribute to Indiana’s growing economy.
Among the featured young entrepreneurs was 21-year-old Izzy Branam, who has found immense support through Hoosier-led programs and initiatives, including Indiana University, and Innovate Within.
"I stayed in Indiana because I felt seen, heard, and valued. The collective willingness to rally around our youngest, brightest, and boldest minds will create both a 'Return on Investment,' and a 'Ripple of Impact'. If we want to see Indiana lead the way in solving today's biggest challenges, we must empower our youth to think boldly. Whether it's from breakthrough cancer treatments to space exploration to climate change—impact starts with someone brave enough to try, supported by a community saying 'let's do it.' That's the power of Indiana's entrepreneurship ecosystem, and that's how our state will thrive."
Stories like Branam’s illustrate the transformational power of early mentorship and robust support for student-led ventures.
Representative Carey Hamilton, a co-chair of the Caucus, spoke at the launch. Hamilton emphasized how critical it is to give educators the tools and training needed to spark an entrepreneurial mindset in students statewide.
"This initiative represents a bipartisan effort to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across our schools, communities, and industries. I am so proud to stand beside Sen. Goode, Sen. Qaddoura and Rep. Snow as we launch not just a caucus, but a movement. A movement to cultivate talent, inspire innovation, and create new pathways, new opportunities for the next generation of leaders in Indiana. Let’s commit to making innovation not just a buzzword but a way of life in every corner of our state."
Also in attendance were Senator Fady Qaddoura, Representative Craig Snow, and Senator Greg Goode, who serve as co-chairs of the Caucus. Each is committed to advancing strategic partnerships, championing innovative teaching methods, and expanding opportunities for young innovators.
Meanwhile, Don Wettrick, founder of The STARTedUP Foundation, underscored the significance of building collaborations among educators, students, and industry experts.
“The formation of this bipartisan caucus represents a significant step forward. By bridging political ideologies, our legislators are united in their commitment to unlocking opportunities and skillsets for our youth in the innovation economy.”
The launch event began with networking and a student showcase, where attendees connected with young innovators and learned about their entrepreneurial projects. Following welcoming remarks, the formal presentation and press conference provided further insight into the Caucus’s mission, goals, and the vital role of community support.
Organizers made it clear that this launch is just the start of a larger effort. The Caucus will continue collaborating with schools, universities, state government and industry leaders to expand programs aiming to extend tangible resources and mentorship opportunities for Hoosier youth who want to explore entrepreneurship and emerging career paths.
How to Get Involved
For those who missed the launch at the Indiana Statehouse, the Caucus encourages students, teachers, business owners, and other community members to visit this site to stay informed about upcoming events, volunteer openings, and ways to get involved. Working together, Indiana can build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem—one that harnesses the diverse talents of its youth and positions the state as a leader in innovation.
Izzy Branam, Senator Greg Goode, Representative Carey Hamilton, Don Wettrick
