Southeast Indiana
STARTedUP Challenge 2026: Region Six
Ten student teams from southeast Indiana will compete for a spot in the Challenge Finals this June. The event will bring together government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and family members to support and celebrate these young innovators.
Event address:
Maker13
629 Michigan Avenue
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
🗓️ April 21, 2026
⏰ 9AM - 1PM EST
Hosted by:
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Bartholomew
Brown
Clark
Dearborn
Decatur
Floyd
Harrison
Jackson
Jefferson
Jennings
Ohio
Ripley
Scott
Switzerland
Washington
Meet the Finalists
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Greenpath Learning
GreenPath Learning revolutionizes scientific elementary education by combining a hands-on aspect in the form of a greenhouse with a complete curriculum, intended for use in third grade classrooms.
Kassidy Wischmeier
Brownstown Central High School -

Phosflect
Phosflect is a photo-luminescent paint that charges from sunlight or ambient lighting; later, when it is dark, it slowly releases that stored energy as visible light, which illuminates nighttime spaces, like roads or parking garages, making them clearer, safer, and more engaging without changing existing infrastructure.
Jade Carnes, Krupa Patel & Clark Tanner
Floyd Central High School -

Your Magic
A personalized magic entertainment service that creates unforgettable, interactive shows tailored to any theme, audience, or event.
Mateo Rico
Lawrenceburg High School
Website -

Utter a Dream Co.
Utter a Dream Co. transforms the reading experience with innovative e-bookmarks that deliver instant responses, helping readers stay focused, curious, and immersed in every page.
Sherlyn Rivas & Isabella Stamper
Columbus Area Career Connection -

Bath Buddy
Bath Buddy is a portable, in-bed warm water shower system that helps caregivers safely clean bed bound patients while reducing infection risk, lowering strain, and restoring dignity in daily care.
Rilynn Plank
Floyd Central High School -

Build View Visuals
BuildView Visuals is an innovative company that designs advanced projectors, interactive software, and motion-based tools like gloves and a smart pen to help homeowners visualize contractor plans.
Ryan Lienhoop, Josh VanValkenburg & Jacob Pope
Columbus Area Career Connection -
GripGuard Soccer Sox
The GripGuard Soccer Sox are revolutionizing the equipment for soccer players by transforming their unstable, low-quality gear into a cohesive solution that enhances performance and reduces injury risk.
Leanna Rotondo
Charlestown Senior High School
Website -

Rose's Story Vines
Rose's Story Vines preserves fading family history with vibrant, custom Heirloom Comics, transforming forgotten oral stories into engaging visual narratives, thereby ensuring family legacies are passed down to future generations.
Katrina Britt
Jeffersonville High School
Website -

Roots2Results
Roots2Results is an AI-powered platform that simplifies and translates complex financial and business documents, tailored to local regulations and built to support immigrant and non-citizen entrepreneurs navigating systems like visas and compliance.
Kishan Patel & Tucker Harris
Floyd Central High School -

Dr. Sump
Dr. Sump is a preventative sump pump monitoring system that uses sensors and code to conclude a diagnosis for your sump pump. By having this data in your phone, you can call a professional to fix the issue before a basement flood occurs.
Ireland Densmore
Silver Creek High School
Agenda
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Check in and take your seat!
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The audience will be welcomed by a representative from Maker13 and hear from the CEO of the STARTedUP Foundation, Don Wettrick.
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The ten student teams will pitch their business concepts/ideas.
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Food will be provided to the teachers and competitors as the judges deliberate on the pitches. A big thank you to GreenTree Real Estate Services for sponsoring lunch! Nearby restaurants are available for all guests to grab something to eat during this time.
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The top team will be recognized and invited to participate in the STARTedUP Challenge Finals!
Meet the Judges
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Judge 1
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Judge 2
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Judge 3
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Judge 4
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Judge 5
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