The Big Challenge

 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 BIG Challenge or Dream Big Grow Here competition.

 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.

 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. 

 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.

 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.