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The Big Challenge
Build - Innovate - Grow in Northwest Iowa
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 competition with $10,000 in prize money to be awarded. The deadline to submit an entry is September 29 at 11:59 PM.
The 2024 Winner: CA Performance Horses & Marketing
First Place Winner
Winner of the 2024 The Big Challenge Competition, Abby Carter receives the first place prize from our wonderful judges (L to R): Lori French, Abby Carter, Dr. Erica Vonk, Ken Beekley, and Kelly McCarty
CA Performance Horses & Marketing
Looking to learn more? Check out their website below!
Abby and Cooper Carter
Thank you to all of our wonderful participants!
Sizzle & Syrup
Business Owners Advocate, LLC
Sizzle & Syrup
Second Place Winner:
Trevor Wheelock and Santos Campos Gonzalez, Sizzle & Syrup.
Grabbrr
Business Owners Advocate, LLC
Sizzle & Syrup
Third Place Winner:
AJ VanderWaal, Grabbrr
Business Owners Advocate, LLC
Business Owners Advocate, LLC
Finalist:
Becca Heissel, Business Owners Advocate, LLC.
Four Finalists
Four Finalists
Karina Pedroza, IWCI Navigator, with the four finalists.
Judges
Four Finalists
Judges
Our esteemed judges listening intently!
Details
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, you must:
- Be located in Lyon, Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien, Plymouth, Woodbury, or Monona County.
- Have a for-profit business.
- Have fewer than 5 full-time employees.
- Have been operating your business for 3 years or less.
- Have not been awarded prize money in a previous BIG Challenge or Dream Big Grow Here competition.
VOTING
Finalists will recruit friends, family, and customers to vote for their idea online during the voting period. Voting will take place from October 2 - 11.
FINALISTS
The top three vote getters will advance to a pitch competition, along with two additional entrants chosen by a selection committee. Each finalist will receive personalized coaching from The University of Northern Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center.
PITCH COMPETITION
The regional contest will be held the evening of Thursday, November 21 at the Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor in Le Mars.
The finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their ideas with first place receiving $5,000, second place receiving $3,000, third place receiving $2,000 to grow their business.
Sponsors
The BIG Challenge 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: Lyon, Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien, Plymouth, Woodbury, and Monona.
past winners
Blessed Abodes
A grand prize of $5,000 went to the 18-year-old entrepreneur, who recently started her home-flipping venture, Blessed Abodes, in her hometown of Rock Rapids.
Ability Tech
Dustin Rhoades with Ability Tech from Sioux City, IA was the FIRST Place Winner and recipient of $5,000.