STARTedUP Summit

One Day to Ignite the Future.

Celebrating the next generation of doers, and their educators.

Check out what happened on the most impactful day of the year.
The STARTedUP Summit is the culmination of a year of hard work, innovation, and grit. We brought together the entire STARTedUP ecosystem for one massive event.

The top 10 STARTedUP Challenge Finalist teams pitched for $25,000, connected with alumni, supported regional finalists, and celebrated with our Innovation Fellowship Educators.

The Day at a Glance:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Learn More

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.