Sayeed Mohammed, a Munster High School graduate, will begin his college career at Purdue University Northwest (PNW), having earned a full year of tuition for 2023-24 by participating in the Innovate WithIN business pitch competition this summer.
Innovate WithIN is the country’s most elite high school pitch competition, giving Indiana high school students from around the state the opportunity to express their entrepreneurial ideas. The StartedUP Foundation is hosting the pitch competition.
The PNW Society of Innovators collaborated in hosting the Region 4 regional competition, which led to the state finals. PNW provides scholarship incentives to students who win regional or state competitions and then enroll at the university as part of the institution’s support. Two Northwest Indiana teams were among the ten state finals, and they performed admirably!
Mohammed and his Munster colleagues Joshua Avila and Austin Beetson finished third and will win $2,500 for their efforts.Novos created a kit that takes people to a distinctive culture or area. Kits include essential oil mixtures inspired by many cultures throughout the world.
“Novos’ niche is to provide culture through the scents that we produce,” said Beetson. “I came here from India when I was 4 years old. It is hard for me to connect back to my culture, but this is nostalgic for me, connecting me back to my homeland,” added Mohammed. “We’re helping other people express a love for their culture,” concluded Avila.
Novos’ teacher was also recognized at this year’s state finals. Munster High School entrepreneurship teacher Krissy LaFlech was named the winner of Innovate WithIN’s 2023 Teacher of the Year Award.