The BIG Challenge allows entrepreneurs the chance to submit their dreams to start or expand a business, then encourage friends, family, and customers to vote for them online. Five finalists will present their idea to an audience and judges in a pitch-off event for a chance to win thousands in prizes.
The submission period for The BIG Challenge 2021 will open on September 6 and continue through October 3, 2021. To enter, you’ll need to fill out the online application, including a short video submission.
To be eligible, you must:
1. Be located in Lyon, Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien, Plymouth, Woodbury, or Monona County.
2. Have a for-profit business.
3. Have fewer than 5 full-time employees.
4. Have been operating your business for 3 years or less.
5. Have not been awarded prize money in a previous Dream Big Grow Here competition.
The top 3 vote getters will automatically advance to the final pitch competition, along with 2 additional entrants chosen by a selection committee. The selection committee will be looking at your business model, your entry video, and the use of funds/impact to make our decision.
We require a video that is at least 30 seconds but no more than 3 minutes long, from each participant to help support their entry – covering the why, how and impact of your business. You can go on YouTube and use an integrated webcam/mic to record a short video of yourself describing your service. For help creating a video please _______________
The ideas have been submitted and the voting period is open!
Now is your chance to vote for your favorite business startup or expansion idea! Voting will take place online from October 9th- 18th. Visit www.DreamBigGrowHere.com
The top three vote getters will advance to a regional pitch-off competition, along with two additional entrants chosen by a selection committee. Each finalist will have access to the University of Northern Iowa’s Business Concierge Services, as well as receive personalized coaching from the Small Business Development Center and UNI’s Center for Business Growth and Innovation.
The regional contest will be held the evening of Thursday, November 14th at Oscar Carl Vineyard. The finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their ideas with first place receiving $4,000, second place receiving $2,000 and third place receiving $1,000 to grow their business.
The Northwest Iowa regional contest is sponsored and organized by the economic development organizations that are a part of Iowa’s West Coast Initiative and Northwest Iowa Developers and includes the following counties: Cherokee, Lyon, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury.
VOTE NOW AT DREAMBIGGROWHERE.COM
2019 Finalists