Chicago Tribune Reports on Business Updates

The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest recently hosted the Uthiverse StartUp Madness Business Pitch Tournament at the Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Hammond campus, where student teams from Hammond Central, Lowell, and Munster high schools competed for a chance to win $2,500 in seed money from Uthiverse.

The team from Munster High School, called Scent Seal, emerged victorious at the event. The team members, Josephine “Fifi” Pirok, Nabeel Rabie, and Brooke Weatherly, impressed the judges with their innovative business idea to “shake up the cosmetics and fragrance industry.”

The Uthiverse StartUp Madness tournament aims to provide high school students participating in entrepreneurship programs with an opportunity to secure seed funding for their business ventures. The competition was fierce, but Scent Seal’s unique concept and strong presentation set them apart from the rest.

In other news, the Indiana Department of Transportation announced that U.S. 231 will be closed between Bell Street and Tenbrook Drive for two consecutive projects starting on or after Monday, April 15. The closure is expected to last until mid-June, with an official detour in place.

Additionally, a $100,000 donation from Robert Reisinger will boost the partnership between Valparaiso University and Opportunity Enterprises, helping prepare students for roles in occupational therapy. The donation will fund the hiring of a part-time occupational therapist to mentor and educate university students in the field.

Overall, these developments highlight the innovative spirit and collaborative efforts within the community to support young entrepreneurs and advance healthcare education and services.