Three teams from South Knox and Pike Central High Schools took top honors in the First Founders Pitch Competition.

A total of 20 semifinalist teams pitched their startup ideas on April 3 at the event hosted by the Pantheon in Vincennes.

Six of those teams advanced to the finals held Tuesday, April 8. Each team gave a seven-minute presentation judged by a panel of local professionals.

First place and $3,000 went to South Knox student Emily Bible for her business, Covered with Care, which designs breathable, stretchable head coverings for people experiencing hair loss.

Second place and $2,000 went to Pike Central’s Camden Case and Andrew Bieker for The Corn Cutter.

Third place and $1,000 was awarded to South Knox students Ben Phillips, Kourtney Chesser, and Kayelynn Stroud for Crossroads Companion Care.

The First Founders program reached over 150 students across five high schools. Pantheon CEO Nichole Like said, “Our hope is that these young entrepreneurs are able to take this prize money and put it towards startup costs.”

The program was funded by a $40,000 grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.