Staff Reports
Innovate WithIN, a statewide high school pitch competition, is highlighting the youngest innovators around the state.
The competition, which offers up to $100,000 in cash prizes, mentorship opportunities and in-state college tuition assistance, has added more than $19 million in potential scholarships from 11 Indiana schools to the 2021 prize package.
More than 800 students from 128 high schools representing 68 of Indiana’s 92 counties participated in Round 1 of the pitch competition. The Southeast Indiana Region 2 finals was held virtually by Hanover College on April 27.
Seymour High School junior Brandon Tapia was among the participants. He presented on the company Discounted Sweat, a weight loss app that streamlines and alleviates the process of getting healthier.
Participants’ families, schools and others were able to watch the livestream as each made their pitch for the regional prize of $1,000 and secured their spot in the state competition to be held at 2 p.m. June 19 at JW Marriott in Indianapolis.
The winners of the Southeast Indiana Region were Zion and Xavier Dunaway of Salem High School. Their company, Southern Indiana Bait Co. LLC, provides high-quality, durable bait for recreational, semipro and pro anglers.
The regional competition can be viewed online at facebook.com/innovatewithinindiana.
Prior to the state competition, each of the regional winners from around the state will be participating in a deep-dive, five-week bootcamp intended to help them refine or pivot their ideas to give them the greatest potential for success at the state competition.
The students will be competing to win $10,000 to continue building their business, $10,000 for future education in a 529 plan and $5,000 toward their entrepreneurial immersion trip experience.
Innovate WithIN is a program of the STARTedUP Foundation in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corp.