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:

    • Bartholomew

    • Brown

    • Clark

    • Dearborn

    • Decatur

    • Floyd

    • Harrison

    • Jackson

    • Jefferson

    • Jennings

    • Ohio

    • Ripley

    • Scott

    • Switzerland

    • Washington

Meet the Finalists

  • 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

  • Check in and take your seat!

  • The audience will be welcomed by a representative from Maker13 and hear from the CEO of the STARTedUP Foundation, Don Wettrick.

  • The ten student teams will pitch their business concepts/ideas.

  • 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.

  • The top team will be recognized and invited to participate in the STARTedUP Challenge Finals!

Meet the Judges

  • 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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