The journey continues…
The STARTedUP Alumni Showcase and Pitch Competition
Hosted by the Indiana State Fair, the STARTedUP Alumni Association Showcase and Pitch Competition is back for the second year in a row. Eight teams comprised of former Innovate WithIN regional and state finalists will pitch their latest ventures to a panel of esteemed judges and State Fair attendees on the State Fair Basketball Court! There will also be a showcase where attendees will be able to connect with these amazing founders to learn more about their products and services.
Date: Saturday, August 2nd
Time: 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Agenda:
9:00 - 9:50 | Check-in & Alumni Showcase
10:00 - 12:30 | Alumni Pitch Competition
12:30 - 2:00 | Judges’ Deliberation and Alumni Showcase
2:00 - 2:30 | Awards, Final Remarks, Networking
Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds (Near 42nd Street Entrance - Gate 3, formerly known as Gate 12)
Note: Attendees will need to purchase admission to the Indiana State Fair
(Click here to purchase your State Fair admission tickets ahead of the event)
Parking Information:
The closest parking lot will be off of 42nd St. in the Indiana School for the Deaf parking area but you must enter the lot via Ralston Ave. Once parked, you will enter Gate 3 (formerly known as gate 12). The event will be on the Basketball Court directly inside the gate.
You can also enter the main gate (Gate 6) off of Fall Creek Parkway and park on the infield.
Participating Teams
Isaiah Clark (‘24)
Ascending Intelligence empowers people to master AI, providing them with the materials and connections they need to grow in their knowledge and application of AI, allowing them to expand what's possible.
GripGuard Soccer Sox
Leanna Rotondo (‘25)
GripGuard Soccer Sox is dedicated to enhancing athletic performance while helping to prevent major injuries for every athlete with new innovative grip technology and a built-in shin guard pocket.
Caylyn Pruitt (‘24)
CayPops Bakery is creating a growing network of home-based bakers that are leveraging the recent de-regulation trends of Cottage Food laws across the United States to provide custom baked goods, decrease job dissatisfaction, and provide job flexibility.
Lextin Willis (‘22)
Trojan Cup is a licensable, sport management competition that delivers true experiential learning by challenging students to manage every aspect of a sports team—branding, contracts, sponsorships, marketing, and gameplay—engaging students of all disciplines in real-world, career-building experience while also creating a fun, campus-wide event.
Trojan Cup
Joshua Steely (‘24)
The Crate of Curious Things is a Collaborative Recreational Artistic Thrifting Experience.
Tow Scout
Lydia Yoder & Kyla La Rue (‘25)
True Blue is dedicated to raising awareness about juvenile diabetes through educational outreach programs in elementary schools.
Benjamin Eberle (‘23)
Tow Scout is a cupholder mounting rear view mirror designed to keep you and your loved ones safer on the water by enhancing visibility.
Prab Jayachandran (‘25)
OlympIQ is an AI-based education service that is fully personalized and adaptive to help students prepare for Olympiads and other major standardized exams.
Meet the Judges
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Anne Marie Murphy
Heartland Bioworks Director of Program Management and BioTrain
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Casey Mull
Assistant Director, Program Lead 4-H Youth Development CES/Clinical Professor ASEC
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Tim Phelps
Vice President, Hathaway Strategies, LLC
Indiana State Fair Board, District 7
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Tyler Mantel
Partner, Roll Tach Ventures
