Do you know a Carmel High School (CHS) senior who may have the next big idea for a new product or service, or an idea to improve an existing product or service? If so, they just may win seed money from the inaugural State Bank Start Me Up Cup Scholarship Competition. This competition showcases State Bank’s commitment to promoting free enterprise and helping young entrepreneurs who have big ideas succeed.
Hosted by the Carmel Education Foundation (CEF), the Start Me Up Cup competition will mimic the popular “Shark Tank” program. CHS seniors are invited to submit a short video pitch by Feb. 22. A panel of State Bank representatives will select up to 10 students to advance to round two of the competition. During round two, students will follow an outline to prepare a business plan and are encouraged to vet their idea with a State Bank banker, business teacher, local businessperson, or a parent before presenting their idea to a panel of judges in April. Students may apply individually or in groups of up to three CHS seniors.
Pinegar
“State Bank is proud to be in Carmel, and we are committed to building relationships and investing in the youth in our community,” said, Andy Pinegar, State Bank Senior Vice President and Hamilton County Market President. “We have no doubt that their ideas are our future, and we are excited to empower them in building their future success.”
More information and the application are available at ccs.k12.in.us/foundation/scholarships.
Two students will receive scholarships to invest as seed money in their proposed business ro service. The grand prize entrepreneur will receive $2,000 and the runner-up will receive $1,000. Both awards will be presented at the CHS Community Award Night on May 18. CEF will present up to 90 additional scholarships during the ceremony as well.
If you are a local entrepreneur who may be interested in assisting student applicants with their business plan or pitch or would like to serve on the panel of judges, please contact CEF Executive Director Jennifer Penix at jpenix1@ccs.k12.in.us.
State Bank, located at 126th Street and Gray Road in Carmel, is also featured as the First Taste VIP Sponsor for CEF’s Taste of Carmel on Thursday, March 3. Tickets are on sale for this community event at TasteOfCarmelIndiana.com.
About the Carmel Education Foundation
One of the oldest foundations of its kind, the Carmel Education Foundation was created to help Carmel Clay students achieve their full potential. Since 1966, the Foundation has awarded over $2.1 million in college scholarships to Carmel High School seniors and over $850,000 in education grants to inspire lifelong learning for Carmel Clay students. CEF is governed by a volunteer board of directors who give their time and energy to accelerate the Foundation’s mission by funding grants, awarding more than 80 scholarships annually and expanding resources for Carmel Clay Schools.
About State Bank
State Bank is a $711-million community bank headquartered on the west side of Indianapolis. In addition to operating 10 full-service locations, State Bank is a part of the AllPoint ATM network of more than 55,000 ATMs nationwide. Bauer Financial has named State Bank a 5-Star Bank based on its strength and performance since 2017, and it was named the Best Bank in Hendricks County nine of the last 10 years. Its offices are in Avon, Brownsburg (2), Plainfield, Lizton and Pittsboro in Hendricks County; Lebanon (2) and Zionsville in Boone County; Carmel in Hamilton County; and opening Summer 2022 in Lafayette. Visit StateBank1910.bank to learn more.