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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.
Announcing the Top 3 Winners of The Big Challenge Pitch Competition!
After an incredible night of seeing innovation and hard work firsthand, we're excited to reveal the top three winners of The Big Challenge in Northwest Iowa!
1st Place: CA Performance Horses & Marketing
2nd Place: Sizzle & Syrup
3rd Place: Gabbrr
Finalist: Business Owners Advocate LLC
A huge thank you to all the talented entrepreneurs who participated — your creativity and drive truly inspired us all!
The future of business in Northwest Iowa is brighter than ever, and we can't wait to see where your journeys take you!
Thank you to our incredible sponsors : Northwest Iowa Development, Siouxland Economic Development Corporation, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses - Iowa, and Pizza Ranch! Thank you to Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor for allowing us to use a wonderful space.
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
Looking to learn more? Check out their website below!
Second Place Winner:
Trevor Wheelock and Santos Campos Gonzalez, Sizzle & Syrup.
Third Place Winner:
AJ VanderWaal, Grabbrr
Finalist:
Becca Heissel, Business Owners Advocate, LLC.
Karina Pedroza, IWCI Navigator, with the four finalists.
Our esteemed judges listening intently!
To be eligible, you must:
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.
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.
Dustin Rhoades with Ability Tech from Sioux City, IA was the FIRST Place Winner and recipient of $5,000.
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