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 over $19 million in potential scholarships from 11 Indiana schools to the 2021 prize package.
Innovate WithIN President Don Wettrick said, “I was blown away at the level of competition in Region 5, Lower Northwest Indiana. The sophistication and preparedness of the students was a testament to their abilities to look at problems as opportunities and to go the next step in creating a meaningful and marketable solution. I’m filled with optimism for our state.”
Over 800 students from 128 high schools, representing 68 of Indiana’s 92 counties participated in Round 1 of the pitch competition.
Participants families, schools, and others were able to watch the livestream as each team 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. on June 19 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis.
Prior to the state competition each of the regional winners from around the state will be participating in a “deep-dive,” five-week boot camp intended to help them refine or pivot their ideas to give them the greatest potential for success at the state competition.
The students will compete 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.
The Winner of the Lower Northwest Indiana region is:
Nimish Bhat
- Company: Omega Skin
- School: Carmel High School
- Description: A burn crisis remedy for under developed countries.
Bhat said that “… this helped build the confidence that I’m not seen as just a 17- to 18-year-old trying to piece together some kind of business plan. This is ‘we actually believe in what you are doing, we have the money to back it up, now you show us that you can do it.’ So, I think it was the just perfect platform and opportunity to take something and fully instill confidence to make it a reality.”
Second Place was a tie:
Jacob Mills & Adedoyin Famuyiwa
- Company: Orbiter
- School: Westfield High School
- Description: An input device for greater efficiency in a CAD environment
Raghav Sriram, Geetika Chitturi & Archit Kalra
- Company: SnowGone
- School: Carmel High School
- Description: An eco-friendly, economical snow removal driveway system
The other participants included:
Shannon Tan & Arun Raman
- Company: Smart Turismo
- School: West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School
- Description: Revolutionizing predictive insight in customized outreach for Destination Marketing Organizations.
Kyle Emgenbroich & Sam Huser
- Company: Pikit
- School: Westfield High School
- Description: Gamifying restaurant selection with friends and family
Rineet Ranga & Aryan Indarapu
- Company: Polybus Medicine
- School: Carmel High School
- Description: Delivering cost-effective, high quality healthcare from near-by medical professionals, all from the comfort of your own home
Pol Berger Romeu & Nathan Frank
- Company: Ethaco
- School: Carmel High School
- Description: An app to help farmers find new distribution channels
Ella Greenawald & Ben Brogan
- Company: DivIron
- School: Carmel High School
- Description: Solving iron deficiency in underserved communities through communion wafers
Sarah Naidu & Aisha Kokan
- Company: vVeritas
- School: University High School of Indiana
- Description: Service using artificial intelligence to prevent, flag and fix misinformation online
If you were unable to watch the regional competition, it can be viewed at facebook.com/innovatewithinindiana.