Thank you to all who have journeyed with us in 2023! We are excited to continue the adventure in this new year.

Don Wettrick

CEO & Founder

  • Don is the founder and CEO of the STARTedUP Foundation, a nonprofit focused on encouraging students to view the world through the lens of entrepreneurship. With over twenty years of experience as an educator, Don is well-versed in the realm of innovation, entrepreneurship, and the importance of arming students with the skills and the network to succeed. As a part of STARTedUP, Wettrick runs Innovate WithIN, the State of Indiana's innovation and entrepreneurship program and competition, the largest high school pitch competition in the country.

    Most notably, Wettrick is the author of “Pure Genius: Building a Culture of Innovation,” which challenges the education system to find creative ways to inspire entrepreneurship and student innovation beyond the classroom. Wettrick's passion for innovation led him to launch the STARTedUP podcast in 2018, where he has hosted influential guests such as Jeff Hoffman, Laila Mickelwait, and Gary Vaynerchuk. He is also a world-renowned educator, invited to speak globally on education and entrepreneurship, speaking at TEDx on multiple occasions. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife of 27 years, Alicia, and their three children.

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I reflect with gratitude on the transformative journey of 2023 and extend my heartfelt thanks to each member of our community for their unwavering commitment. Your support has propelled STARTedUP from a small classroom in Noblesville, Indiana, to an influential force reaching over 6,200 students and thousands of teachers across Indiana in just five years. In adherence to our mission, STARTedUP remains committed to instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in students, empowering them to view life through the lens of innovation while building a purpose-driven future.

Throughout the past year, our focus has been sharp. Prioritizing teacher support and retention, we recognized their pivotal role in shaping the entrepreneurial mindset of our students. We actively worked to increase diversity in student engagement, fostering an inclusive environment where every voice holds value by partnering with like minded organizations. Strengthening ties with the broader ecosystem through strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives has expanded our impact statewide, ensuring that the benefits of entrepreneurship and education are accessible to students throughout Indiana.

In 2023, we had another record-breaking year with nearly 2,500 Innovate WithIN student sign-ups underscored the growing interest in entrepreneurship. More teams than ever completed and submitted innovative pitches, showcasing the practical application of their entrepreneurial mindset with a 28% increase in demographics served, demonstrating our commitment to reaching a more diverse student population. The successful launch of innovation workshops provided students with hands-on experiences to cultivate their innovative thinking. The Innovation Educator Fellowship flourished with 31 committed fellows in 2022-2023 and is continuing to thrive with 35 fellows from across every region of Indiana in 2023-2024. We also focused on relationship building - establishing new local and national partnerships which strengthened our ability to make a lasting impact. Lastly, the STARTedUP Alumni Association was founded, further solidifying our STARTedUP community.

“In adherence to our mission, STARTedUP remains committed to instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in students, empowering them to view life through the lens of innovation while building a purpose-driven future.”

Looking ahead to 2024, our targets are ambitious. We aim to reach 3,000 student sign-ups to extend the impact of entrepreneurship and education. One of our priorities for this upcoming year is to diversify our revenue streams by increasing corporate partnerships, receiving grants from foundations, and securing more individual donors. In addition, we are working to expand the fellowship program to include at least 120 fellows during the 2024-2025 school year who will offer mentorship and guidance to a growing number of students. Our team is working diligently to develop a mentorship directory with at least 150 mentors dedicated to supporting student innovation and entrepreneurship. This April, we will be hosting six regional competitions which will provide more students with platforms to showcase their ideas.

As we anticipate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in 2024, your support remains critical. Join us in shaping the entrepreneurial impact we aspire to achieve. Thank you for being an integral part of our community and for your dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among the next generation.

Opportunities are everywhere!

Get involved in 2024!