The Inaugural
STARTedUP Summit
One Day to Ignite the Future.
Celebrating the next generation of doers, and their educators.
June 12 | Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University
Join us for the most impactful day of the year.
The STARTedUP Summit is the culmination of a year of hard work, innovation, and grit. We are bringing together the entire STARTedUP ecosystem for one massive event.
Witness the top 10 STARTedUP Challenge Finalist teams as they pitch for $25,000 in prize money, reconnect with alumni, support regional finalists, and celebrate with our Innovation Accelerator Educators.
The Day at a Glance:
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Guests will check in upon arrival at Clowes Memorial Hall and enjoy coffee and a light breakfast. During this time, attendees are invited to explore the Morning Showcase in the lobby, where finalists, alumni, and regional participants will be presenting their business ideas.
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The STARTedUP Challenge Finals bring together the top ten teams from across Indiana to pitch for the $25,000 first-place prize. In the audience, government officials, business leaders, local innovators, educators, and families will gather to watch the next generation of Hoosier entrepreneurs take the stage.
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While guests enjoy lunch, the five judges will deliberate and determine the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Attendees are free to grab lunch at local restaurants.
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Following lunch, attendees are encouraged to return to the lobby to connect with finalists, alumni, and regional participants during the Afternoon Showcase. At the same time, educators participating in STARTedUP’s Innovation Accelerator will take part in dedicated programming.
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Once the Afternoon Showcase concludes, guests will return to the theater for closing remarks and the announcement of:
Educator of the Year
Partner of the Year
Alumni Impact Award
People's Choice Award
Third Place
Second Place
…and finally, the official check presentation for the winning team!
The Lobby Experience
The Finalists
Main Lobby
Meet the Top 10. A dynamic, student-led exhibition where the top high school founding teams present their ventures. Connect with them before they hit the main stage and offer the real-world encouragement they need to win.
The Innovators
East Lobby
Honor the Journey. Featuring dedicated student teams from our regional competitions. As they pursue their ventures with persistence, offer them the connections they need to propel forward.
The Alumni
West Lobby
See What’s Next. Highlights from past participants who are actively building ventures. Whether advancing original ideas or launching new ones, our Alumni are here for mentorship, collaboration, and strategic feedback.
The Main Event
The centerpiece of the Summit.
Take your seat in Clowes Memorial Hall to watch the top 10 student teams from across Indiana pitch their ventures live for a chance at $25,000.
10:00 AM – 12:45 PM | Main Stage
The Celebration
A special track for the STARTedUP Innovation Accelerator Cohort
While the students showcase, we invite our educators to a joyful recognition of the 2025–26 cohort.
Certify: Educators from across the State will be honored with their official STARTedUP certification credentials.
Connect: A welcoming opportunity for new members of our educator community to meet current leaders.
Celebrate: Share wins and stories in a space designed for collaboration.
