West Central Indiana

STARTedUP Challenge 2026: Region Seven

Ten student teams from west central Indiana will compete for a spot in the Challenge Finals this June. The event will bring together government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and family members to support and celebrate these young innovators.

Event address:
Smith Magna Carter Room, Scott College of Business 30 N 7th St, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA

🗓️ April 27, 2026

⏰ 9AM - 1PM EST

Hosted by:

  • Campus Parking Map

    Buses should park in remote lots on campus. For cars, there are two nearby parking garages at 7th & Cherry and 9th & Cherry respectively.

    • Clay

    • Greene

    • Owen

    • Parke

    • Putnam

    • Sullivan

    • Vermillion

    • Vigo

Meet the Finalists

  • Click Color Brailler

    Click Color Brailler is a portable, cost-efficient brailler device that enables the visually impaired community to easily identify the color of clothing anywhere, improving clothing shopping accessibility while amplifying global awareness of visual impairment.

    Liana Nascimbene & Melissa Anderson
    South Putnam High School

  • CoverSafe

    Layla Brosey

    CoverSafe provides a quick, affordable, customized window coverings that blocks visibility into classrooms while allowing students and staff to safely see out while keeping the classrooms and schools beautiful.


    Terre Haute North Vigo High School

  • Glamorous Gecko's Reptile Shop

    Glamorous Gecko's Reptile Shop helps support struggling reptile shelters and owners while saving resources by making crocheted and sewn Reptile hammocks, and other fabric products using recycled fabric; selling them to reptile owners; and donating a percentage of the profit to reptile shelters of our choosing, thereby providing resources to owners and funding reptile shelters.

    Alex Grayson, Jacob Deakins & Ashelyn Nugent
    South Putnam High School

  • Reading Rules!

    Reading Rules! is an interactive reading app that keeps your kids involved. With real voice overs, sounded-out works, recording of your kids reading, and more. Fun, low stimulation learning with no AI.

    Evangeline Mitchell
    Terre Haute North Vigo High School

  • Project North

    Project North creates detailed 1:1 scale digital models of schools and historic buildings in Roblox to preserve their architecture, history, and memories so people can explore them even after the real buildings are changed or no longer exist.

    Aidan Harvey
    Terre Haute North Vigo High School

  • Apex Arrows

    Apex Arrows first of its kind Bluetooth tracking arrow that’s tracks the deer when while it runs away after you shoot it

    Brendan Turpen, Kaden Custis & Brody Cline
    South Putnam High School

  • THN MFG

    THN MFG is a hands-on learning program that empowers students to build real-world skills, earn money, and learn with purpose beyond the classroom.

    Alexzander Thomas
    Terre Haute North Vigo High School
    Website

  • Triple-Threat Liners

    Our company provides a good way to decrease creosote buildup while also reducing risk of fires by the use of metal liners.

    Ezekiel Callahan-Gallegos, Chase Harcourt & Caden Tinsley
    South Putnam High School

  • PillSync

    PillSync is a healthcare platform that provides pharmacies and care providers with a comprehensive medication management system, designed to improve patient adherence and reduce dosage errors through an automated smart dispensing device and secure real-time monitoring software.

    Ayma Rizwan, Danyl Huynh & Lee De Guzman
    Terre Haute South Vigo High School

  • Phoenix Phuels

    Phoenix Phuels is a company that cuts down on plastic waste in landfills and helps cut down on gas prices at the same time by turning plastic into fuel.

    Nathan Jones, Bradley Moore & Jude Sabla
    Terre Haute North Vigo High School

Agenda

  • Check in and take your seat!

  • The audience will be welcomed by a representative from Indiana State University and hear from the CEO of the STARTedUP Foundation, Don Wettrick.

  • The ten student teams will pitch their business concepts/ideas. Teams will pitch in the following order:

    1. Click Color Brailler

    2. CoverSafe

    3. Glamorous Gecko's Reptile Shop

    4. Reading Rules!

    5. Project North

    6. Apex Arrows

    7. THN MFG

    8. Triple-Threat Liners

    9. PillSync

    10. Phoenix Phuel

  • Food will be provided to the teachers and competitors as the judges deliberate on the pitches. Nearby restaurants and ISU’s dining hall are available for all guests to grab something to eat during this time.

  • The top team will be recognized and invited to participate in the STARTedUP Challenge Finals!

Meet the Judges

  • Bernice Helman

    Chief Sales Officer & Indiana Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group

  • Brian Huxford

    President & Founder, Huxford Ventures Inc.

  • Campbell Pekny

    Owner, The Sew Co.

  • Dr. Christy Pearison

    Business Advisor, Entrepreneur & Instructor/Advisor, ISU Scott College of Business & West Central Indiana SBDC

  • Judge 5

    |||||||