Hoosier students invited to participate in Innovate WithIN competition

Applications recently opened for the 2019 Innovate WithIN pitch competition, a statewide initiative hosted by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana Department of Education and Ball State University.

This competition gives Hoosier high school students the opportunity to create their own business plans and highlight entrepreneurial ideas. Participants may work individually or in small groups to create an innovative idea for a business, product, service or venture.

Students will receive feedback on their submissions and the overall winners of the competition will each receive a $10,000 cash prize, $10,000 toward one year of in-state tuition, internship opportunities and mentoring services.

The Innovate WithIN competition is made up of the following rounds:

• Video pitch submissions, which are due Feb. 6;
• Regional pitch competitions, which will be hosted March 4-15; and
• The state pitch competition for regional finalists, which will be hosted in April.

After completing rounds one and two, finalists from each region will be invited to Indianapolis for the final round of the competition where they will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges.

Additionally, new to the program this year, middle school students are invited to register for workshops offered at the regional pitch competitions. These workshops will aim to help students develop entrepreneurial and critical-thinking skills and introduce real-world business concepts.

For more information on Innovate WithIN, click here.