STARTedUP Challenge

# STARTedUP Challenge The STARTedUP Challenge is the STARTedUP Foundation's statewide high school pitch competition in Indiana, previously known as Innovate WithIN. Students work through a free startup curriculum at their own pace, submit a business plan and video pitch, then compete through regional rounds toward state finals - with mentorship, scholarships and funding attached at every stage. ## What You'll Do - Create a free account and work through the STARTedUP build-and-prep curriculum - Develop a business idea into a plan, a summary and a recorded video pitch - Submit your pitch and compete for one of roughly 70 regional competition slots - Pitch live to local judges at Regionals; seven regional winners plus three wildcards advance - Complete an eight-week finalist bootcamp with weekly calls, mentors and a two-day in-person experience before the Challenge Finals ## Who Should Apply Indiana high school students - individually or in teams of up to three. There is no entry fee and no prior business background is needed; the curriculum starts from idea generation. Teams that reach the regional stage join the STARTedUP Alumni Association with access to networking, internship connections and travel opportunities. ## Outcomes The finals award $25,000 for first place, $5,000 for second, $2,500 for third and $1,500 for people's choice, with regional prizes of $1,000-$3,000 and scholarships offered by Butler University and Purdue University Northwest. Beyond the money, finalists get sustained mentorship and a demonstrated venture they can carry into college applications.