STARTed Up Foundation & RCCF Inspire Future Entrepreneurs at Oldenburg Academy

OA's entrepreneurship class learned about elements that are vital to success in the world of business.

(Oldenburg, Ind.) - The entrepreneurial spirit was alive and well at Oldenburg Academy when Don Wetterick and Kevin Schamel, representatives from the STARTed Up Foundation, visited the school’s entrepreneurship class. The engaging session was aimed at discussing the elements that are vital to success in the world of business.

Wetterick and Schamel shared their experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of having a problem-solving mindset and cultivating a genuine passion for business. The interactive session provided invaluable guidance to OA’s budding entrepreneurs.

The highlight of the visit was the discussion of the statewide Innovate WithIn business pitch competition, an initiative spearheaded by the STARTed Up Foundation. This competition is a remarkable opportunity for students to put their ideas into action and potentially transform them into successful businesses. The competition is set to kick off in February, where students across the state, including many from Oldenburg Academy, will submit three-minute video pitches for their unique business concepts. If students advance to the final round, they will participate in a rigorous business startup boot camp, transforming their ideas into reality, and attend an all-expenses paid trip to Washington DC, where they can network with and learn from national business leaders. Oldenburg Academy students are working hard this semester to craft innovative business proposals.

Oldenburg Academy also received a $250 grant from Ripley County Community Corporation for the school's entrepreneurship class. This grant was presented to Mr. Jason Walke for his assistance in helping the foundation receive a grant of their own in relation to a regional business pitch competition that is being started and administered in Batesville. Mr. Walke, the teacher of OA's Entrepreneurship class, expressed his gratitude to both organizations, stating, "I am excited to see the support within Batesville for our students. The hours and effort put in by both the Ripley County Community Foundation and Genesis Pathways is greatly appreciated and I thank them for being willing to put together and administer the DICE Business Pitch Challenge for high school students in Southeastern Indiana."