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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.

**Save the date for the big challenge 2025-thursday, november 20, 2025

2024 Winners Announced!

 

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.  

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! 


https://ca-performance-marketing.myportfolio.com/work

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:

  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.

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. 

Copyright © 2021 Iowa's West Coast Initiative - All Rights Reserved.

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