At IU Innovates, our team is the heart of everything we do. ā„ļø
Each person plays an important role in empowering and supporting student entrepreneurs - from idea to launch and beyond. Whether itās helping refine a business model, connecting founders with mentors, or creating a space that feels like home, this team is always ready to show up and make things happen.
Weāre proud to work alongside such dedicated, passionate individuals who make IU Innovates a welcoming and inspiring place for anyone chasing their entrepreneurial goals.
#IUInnovates #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Teamwork #IndianaUniversity
š 2025 IU Innovates - Wrapped š
As we wrap up 2025, weāre proud to reflect on an incredible year at IU Innovates and the momentum our student founders have built.
š By the numbers (Fall 2025):
209 IU student founders engaged
136 students in the Incubator
73 students in Explore Bootcamp
51 events hosted
11 expert guest speakers across industries
5,000+ minutes of collective feedback and mentorship
1,200+ slices of pizza fueling big ideas š
From exploring entrepreneurship to building, testing, and earning from MVPs, IU students are turning ideas into real ventures and this is just the beginning.
Thank you to our founders, mentors, speakers, and partners who make this community thrive. If starting a business as a student is on your radar, letās make it part of your 2026 Wrapped! š¤ā¤ļø
#iuinnovates #iuinnovators #indianauniversity #entrepreneurship
Informational links for IU Innovates! š
š² Social Media - Find information on upcoming events, student spotlights, and info on entrepreneurship related events/info happening around campus.
šApplication Form - Stop by the Von Lee building on Kirkwood to fill out a form
š» Our Website - Basic information about IU Innovates.
(Link in bio)
What happens when music, AI, and visual storytelling come together?
Sisters Kaitlin and Nikki Pet are exploring exactly that through their startup, PetsAloud: a platform creating interactive concert experiences that respond to live performance in real time.
Blending their backgrounds in music and computer science through the @iuluddy and @iujsom communities, the sisters are building something that feels entirely new. Supported through the @iuinnovates incubator program, their work offers a glimpse into how technology can expand creative expression rather than replace it.
Read more at the link in our bio. š
Racing into Indiana's entrepreneurial landscape just in time for the Little 500, Eskenazi school senior Gage Pratt, a Comprehensive Design major, has launched a product designed to reduce friction for cyclists and runners. The Aero Bib eliminates the drag (both literal and figurative) of safety pinned racing bibs. Inside INdiana Business featured Gage and the innovative product he created for his Comp Design capstone project. Meet Gage and learn about the Aero Bib in this clip and at the link in our bio.
INNOVATES x CEO: Pitch Workshop Recap š¤
āØFrom crafting the perfect hook to breaking down market strategy, this week was all about turning ideas into something real, featuring the talented Parker Busick!
āØEvery great startup starts with a pitchā¦ and weāre just getting started.
See you next week.
Where conversations turn into connections š¤
At IU Innovates, networking happens every day - students connecting with investors, mentors, and each other in moments just like these.
Real ideas. Real conversations. Real opportunities.
Ready to take your idea to the next level? š¤š„
Join us for a pitch workshop with CEO at IU and get Pitch Day READY!
š Monday, April 13th
ā° 7:00ā8:00 PM
š Von Lee Building
Learn how to craft a compelling pitch, build confidence, and stand out. Whether youāre just starting or refining your idea, this is your moment.
šÆ Donāt miss out, scan the QR code to RSVP or check out link in bio!
Moments like these are what Pitch Week is all about.
āThe demo day was an incredible opportunity for me to present Tasting Notes to a wide variety of investors, professionals, entrepreneurs, and friends! It provided me with a chance to elevate my pitch and connect with businesses to further the development of my Tasting Notes venture.ā - Lizzie
At IU Innovates, pitching goes beyond the stage - itās about growth, connection, and the people who support you along the way.
This week and next, our student entrepreneurs are stepping into those same moments - refining their ideas, building confidence, and continuing to move forward.
Itās Pitch Week at IU Innovates š¤
Our student founders are refining, practicing, and presenting their ideas all week long into next.
A few things you might not know:
ā¢ Most pitches are just 3ā5 minutes - but take weeks to prepare
ā¢ Founders often iterate their idea 10+ times before demo day
ā¢ The best pitches arenāt perfect - theyāre clear, confident, and evolving
Proud of the work happening inside the Von Lee - this is where ideas really start to take off.
The Little 500 bike race is a tradition. So are those paper number bibs cyclists and runners pin to their jerseys. But the bibs create drag, flap in the wind, and are a nuisance to put on. Cutters team rider Gage Pratt should know. So, the comprehensive design major has developed an alternative: enter Aero Bib. Meet the Eskenazi School student-athlete and read about his innovation at the link in our bio.
Images: 1 and 3. Aero Bib in beta-testing at the Candy Stripe Classic in Brown County. 2. Gage Pratt cycling (all courtesy Gage Pratt)
