STARTedUP Innovation
Accelerator
Empower your students, expand your impact, and connect with a like-minded community of educators. All at no cost to you.
Now accepting application for the January cohort!
Total Impact
+
Total Impact +
Educators Supported
Students Impacted
+62
88%
Counties Involved
Increase in Classroom Passion
+22k
+190
168
Schools Reached
Turn you classroom into an innovation hub
An innovation hub is where real-world problem-solving, creativity, and entrepreneurial mindsets become integrated into daily learning. More than a physical space, it's a culture of growth and experimentation that thrives during class time.
Join the approximately 130 teachers across 87 schools who are already bringing this vision to life in the Innovation Accelerator program.
The challenge teachers face today
Traditional structures often limit educators.
Balancing standards with engaging teaching approaches remains a daily challenge for dedicated educators. Finding space for innovation within established frameworks isn't always easy.
The path to meaningful change isn't always clear.
Educators recognize students thrive with real-world relevance—but where do you start? Passionate instructors often know what's needed but lack clear pathways and support to transform their innovative ideas into classroom reality.
Support is essential, but hard to find.
Many educators want to connect their classrooms to the real world, but finding support can be difficult. Teachers shouldn't have to do this work alone, yet many lack access to networks, resources, and mentorship needed to succeed.
About the Innovation Accelerator
The Innovation Accelerator is a three-level professional development path designed for teachers who want to bring real-world innovation and entrepreneurial thinking into their classrooms.
Each level is a one-year commitment, with the opportunity to further your level of certification. Teachers earn a certification at every level, and become fully certified full after successfully completing Level 3.
Looking to bring this to your whole school?
The Innovation Accelerator Certification Pathway
The On-Ramp
At your own pace: ~1 semester to one year
A bite sized, low-barrier start to innovation. Teach six ready-to-use lessons, guide students as they develop and deliver a 60-second pitch, and access quarterly webinars.
Discover if innovation and entrepreneurship are for you
Gain hands-on strategies for facilitating innovative approaches to problem solving
Build confidence with quick wins in your classroom
Join the next cohort , starting January 1st!
Embracing Innovation
One school year
Build on Level 1 with coaching and community. Partner with an Innovation Coach, bring virtual Fireside Chats with celebrity guests into class, join monthly virtual professional development sessions, and unlock the full 18-week Innovation & Entrepreneurship curriculum.
Access a supportive local and national community of educators to share ideas
Connect your classroom to high-profile Fireside Chats, guest speakers, and student mentors
Deepen your practice with flexible, easy-to-integrate lessons
Connecting to Your Community
One school year
Bring the real world into your classroom. With advanced coaching and leadership support, you'll connect your students with industry experts, guest speakers, and mentors who bring entrepreneurship to life.
Access exclusive events and resources that help students see beyond the classroom walls.
Receive advanced coaching and leadership development tailored to your growth
Connect students with guest speakers, mentors, and industry professionals
Access unique events and opportunities that bring real-world innovation into your school
Beyond Certification
By Level 3, your classroom is an innovation hub with a living ecosystem of partners, mentors, and student opportunities. The Accelerator doesn’t have to end there.
After Level 3, you may apply to become a STARTedUP Certified Innovation Coach, guiding peers through their own certification path. For others, Level 3 becomes a professional home base: a supportive community, fresh resources every year, and doors that open because you’re part of the network.
This is designed for lifelong learners and community builders who want to stay connected, even after certification.
Why Entrepreneurship?
We use entrepreneurial thinking as the vehicle to develop innovative mindsets. When students identify problems and transform them into opportunities, they engage in inherently entrepreneurial processes. Creating businesses, nonprofits, products, services, or solutions that meet real needs helps them develops crucial life skills—from critical thinking and resilience to communication and collaboration.
Is This the Right Fit for You?
The Level 1 Innovation Accelerator certification is built for high school educators from any subject area who are ready to transform their classroom into an innovation hub. You don’t need to have all the answers, just the mindset and a passion to make real-world learning a reality in your classroom.
We prioritize educators based in Indiana; out-of-state applicants are welcome to apply.
This program is designed for educators who are:
Curious about innovation and entreprensurship, but want a low-risk way to try something new in your classroom.
Wanting a flexible, self-paced learning and support that fits within your school year.
Excited to see students think creatively, problem solve, and pitch solutions.
Motivated to spark curiosity and ownership in your students through hands-on learning.
Program Requirements & Responsibilities
To become a STARTedUP Level 1 Certified Innovation Teacher, participating educators must:
Implement the 6 lessons
View all quarterly webinars
Have student team deliver a 60‑second elevator pitch to explain their problem and solution
Complete a pre/post survey
Hear from our Educators
At no cost to you, or your school.
There is no cost for schools to have individual educators participate in the STARTedUP Innovation Accelerator. Once an educator is accepted, we work with existing and potential funding partners to support their involvement—both financially and as program resources.
The Innovation Accelerator is made possible by the dedicated support and investment of partners at the local, regional, statewide, and national levels.
FAQs
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Not at all. Educators from any subject area are welcome—innovation and entrepreneurial thinking thrive across all classrooms.
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You'll meet virtually with your Innovation Coach twice a year to set goals, reflect on your journey, and receive personalized support.
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We’re here to support you—if challenges arise, just reach out. We’ll work with you to find a path forward.
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Once you're accepted, you'll receive full access to the curriculum in mid-July to begin preparing for the school year.
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We have applications open for our next cohort in August! When you check out the Level 1 Certification Application, you can select whether you’d like to be apart of our upcoming January 2026 cohort, or the August 2026 cohort.
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There’s no cap! In fact, we encourage teams of educators from the same school to grow this work together.
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Level 1 is just the beginning! Should you choose to continue, you’ll unlock advanced resources, new opportunities, and pathways to deepen your impact.
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Each level is designed to be a one-year program. Teachers can complete the full pathway in about three years, but it’s designed one year at a time. You can continue as far as you choose.
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Yes! You earn a certification badge after every level you complete. Full certification as a STARTedUP Certified Innovation Teacher occurs once Level 3 is completed.
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Most teachers begin at Level 1, but some may be invited, or may choose to apply for Level 2 if their experience or school’s needs align. Either way, you’ll earn the certification badge for the highest level you complete.
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No problem. You can rejoin the following year and complete the requirements at your own pace.
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You can complete a level, pause, and return later without losing your progress. If you leave during a level, you’ll simply need to reapply to that same level when you’re ready to continue.
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Certified Innovation Coaches are experienced teachers who have completed the pathway and mentor others through it. They help guide schools, share expertise, and strengthen the Accelerator community.
Have a specific question or want to learn more? Contact our staff!
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