Take your business from an idea to reality with the Innovate WithIN pitch competition – the most elite high school pitch competition in the country.

The Society of Innovators is hosting an information session with special guest, Kevin Schamel. Learn how you can help prepare yourself or your students for success in the 2024 Innovate WithIN competition.

After 8 years in the business world and 16 years as a classroom teacher and instructional coach, Kevin Schamel now serves as the Director of Programming for The STARTedUP Foundation. In this role, he oversees The Innovate WithIN Indiana High School Pitch Competition, the STARTedUP Innovation Educator Fellowship, and the STARTedUP Alumni Association. It is through all of these programs that Kevin seeks to equip students, educators, and young adults to view problems as opportunities by deploying an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset.

Innovate WithIN is Indiana’s statewide high school business pitch competition – but it’s so much more than that! This program teaches students how to think like entrepreneurs and challenge themselves to take action on their ideas. It also provides support for teachers who are looking to fill their classroom with innovative teaching styles, revamp their curriculum, and change the traditional view of education. Between August 15 and February 2, students submit their pitch and then will be judged by members of the community and the STARTedUP team to identify the top ten in the region (with six regions in Indiana). These ten teams will be invited to their prospective Regional Competition and connected with local SBDC mentors. After Regionals, the top ten teams from across Indiana will move on to the State Finals. With access to scholarships, mentors, career connections, and funding, Innovate WithIN has something for everyone!