Indiana Students Encouraged to Join Pitch Competition
Video pitch submissions are due before February 6
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowEntrepreneurial Indiana high school students have until February 6 to submit an application for the 2019 Innovate WithIN pitch competition. Students are encouraged to submit an online video pitch, and middle school students also now have an opportunity to register for workshops offered at the regional competitions.
The second-year competition allows students to create business plans and present entrepreneurial ideas for a chance to win a $10,000 cash prize, $10,000 toward one year of in-state tuition and internship and mentoring service opportunities. Applicants may compete individually or in small teams to present their ideas and to receive professional feedback. The competition features three rounds, with round one being the online video pitch followed by regional pitch competitions held March 4-15 and the final round where competitors present final pitches to a panel of judges in Indianapolis in April.
The statewide initiative is hosted by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana Department of Education and Ball State University.
“As a state, we’re committed to cultivating Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and that effort begins in the classroom,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “Through this unique partnership, Innovate WithIN is encouraging Hoosier students to hone their creativity and critical thinking skills to come up with innovative ideas that solve 21st century problems. We’re excited to kick off this second annual pitch competition and can’t wait to see the game-changing ideas our students develop.”
The 2018 competition had 86 online applications from over 290 students from more than 65 high schools. Last year’s winners, Colin Wareham and Jackson Ramey of Noblesville High School, created board games called Educaid to help students with marketing, management and entrepreneurship. Wareham, Ramey and three other students received StartEdUp Foundation mentoring services. Click here to submit an application or to learn more about the competition.