Dear RALLY Committee Members, Sponsors, and Partners,
When InnoPower decided to co-host RALLY 2025, it wasn’t just about joining forces — it was about unleashing the energy of RALLY to every corner of Indiana. We believe that innovation doesn’t just happen in Indianapolis boardrooms or university labs. It sparks in small-town manufacturers, rural tech startups, community organizations and everywhere Hoosiers are solving problems with creativity and determination.
Today marks the beginning of our most important sprint yet: finding the Rising Stars and Innovators who represent the best of what Indiana has to offer.
Sprint Timeline: Your 7-day mission
- Aug. 13: Nominations open (that’s right NOW!)
- Aug. 20 at 11:59 p.m.: Nominations close (no exceptions, no extensions, no “my dog ate my nomination”)
- Monday, Aug. 25: We reveal the top 5 finalists in each category to the committee
- Aug. 26: Winners notified (prepare for some very happy phone calls)
- Sept. 25: Victory lap on the RALLY main stage before thousands!
Seven days. Two nominations. Infinite possibilities.
Rising Stars: Tomorrow’s leaders, today’s achievers
Think: That colleague who makes everyone around them better. The person who sees solutions where others see problems. The professional who’s going places — fast.
Quick Criteria Snapshot:
- 5-15 years of experience (we want hungry, not hangry)
- Demonstrates innovation and measurable impact
- Shows leadership potential that makes you think “they’ll be running something big someday”
- Actively engaged in building their community or industry
- Positioned for significant career advancement
Nominate a rising star here
Sponsored by Bose McKinney & Evans LLP — Thank you for championing emerging legal and business talent across Indiana for four incredible years!
Innovators: The game-changers and barrier-breakers
Think: The person who didn’t just think outside the box — they redesigned the entire warehouse. The leader who creates solutions that make you wonder why nobody thought of that before.
Quick Criteria Snapshot:
- Created breakthrough products, services, or processes
- Demonstrated sustained innovative thinking (not just a one-hit wonder)
- Generated measurable business, social, or economic impact
- Works effectively across industry boundaries
- Builds systems that keep innovating even when they’re not in the room
Nominate an innovator here
Sponsored by Cummins Inc. — Thank you for fueling innovation and honoring the visionaries driving Indiana’s progress.
The selection process (No smoke-filled rooms here)
Step 1: You nominate your champions (that’s this week!)
Step 2: Our evaluation committee reviews all nominations using a structured rubric
Step 3: Top 5 finalists in each category announced to the committee
Step 4: A select group of Elevate Ventures team members and committee chairs make the final selections
Step 5: Winners get the surprise of their careers (and you get bragging rights forever)
Why this matters more than ever
Indiana is experiencing unprecedented growth: $39.2 billion in capital commitments, the LEAP District transformation, Stellantis-Samsung’s EV facility, and innovations happening in communities across our state. These awards ensure we recognize the people driving this transformation — not just the companies or the projects, but the humans making it happen.
When we spotlight these Rising Stars and Innovators on the RALLY stage, we’re not just giving awards. We’re telling the world that Indiana develops exceptional talent, that our innovation ecosystem is powered by real people with extraordinary vision, and that the future of our state is in capable hands.
The nomination process (Easier than ordering coffee)
- Click the appropriate link above
- Fill out the simple form (5 minutes max, we promise)
- Submit before Aug. 20 at 11:59 p.m.
- Wait for the magic to happen
- Take full credit when your nominee wins (we encourage this)
- Self-nominations are absolutely welcome! If you’re reading this thinking, “I’ve done some pretty innovative stuff,” you’re probably right. Don’t wait for someone else to recognize your impact.
Final sprint instructions
- Think bigger than your immediate circle — who in your extended network deserves recognition?
- Consider impact over title — the person creating change might not have the fanciest job description.
- Remember our mission — unleashing RALLY’s energy to every corner of Indiana.
- Act fast — 7 days goes by quicker than a Hoosier summer.
- Submit before you second-guess yourself — trust your instincts.
Ready to help us find Indiana’s next game-changers? The links are above, the clock is ticking, and the stage is waiting.
Let’s make some stars shine.
P.S. — If you nominate someone who wins, you get to introduce them at the awards ceremony. No pressure, but that’s a pretty cool bragging right to have forever.
Questions? Email us at support@innopowerindy.com or reply to this newsletter.
Deadline Reminder: August 20th, 11:59 p.m. No exceptions. Mark your calendars. Set your alarms. Tell your smart speaker to remind you. Whatever it takes.
