Elevate Ventures Awards Pitch Winners

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Indianapolis-based Elevate Ventures has invested $660,000 in 15 Indiana companies through Elevate Nexus Regional Pitch Competitions. The organization says the investments provide a “shot in the arm” for startups showing high potential for success.

Elevate Ventures says the 15 were chosen from among 49 finalists that had been invited to pitch at one of three competitions throughout the state. Of the 15 investments, nine were pre-seed and six were seed stage.

“Determination is key to entrepreneurship, and we’ve now seen companies compete multiple years in a row, improve their product and become ready for funding,” said Landon Young, executive director of university initiatives at Elevate Ventures.

Most of the winners are connected to universities:

Northern Indiana

Pre-Seed ($20,000 investment)

• Adapta Education; South Bend; University of Notre Dame
• MPB Essential Technology; Merrillville; Purdue University Northwest
• Sleep Easy Technology; South Bend; University of Notre Dame

Seed ($80,000 investment)

• Digital Trade School; South Bend; University of Notre Dame
• Juke Technologies; South Bend; University of Notre Dame

Central Indiana

Pre-Seed ($20,000 investment)

• Araqev; Munster; Purdue University
• Cappers Collective LLC; Indianapolis; DePauw University
• Everewear; Noblesville; Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Seed ($80,000 investment)

• Adipo Therapeutics; Indianapolis; Purdue University
• Escalated Solutions; Carmel

Southern Indiana

Pre-Seed ($20,000 investment)

• FoodMeets; Carmel; Indiana University
• Menstrual Mates; West Lafayette; Indiana University
• Wayzada; Bloomington; Indiana University

Seed ($80,000 investment)

• Atlas Solutions; Bloomington
• Deep Word; Bloomington; Indiana University

Elevate Ventures says the 15 can now compete for an additional $320,000 in investment during a conference in August. Five companies will split the prize.