The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has announced the launch of an entrepreneurial challenge called the “Big IDEA.”
The effort is meant to support innovative development of businesses through empowering entrepreneurs and accelerating business growth. The “Big IDEA” allows entrepreneurs the opportunity 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 ten thousand dollars in prize money to be awarded.
Entrepreneurs and businesses located in the Corridor’s four-county region of Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, and Emmet counties with an idea to develop a new business or expand an existing one are eligible to participate. Video submissions briefly sharing a “Big IDEA” should be no longer than 90 seconds. They will be voted on by the general public. The final pitch competition will have scoring criteria including growth potential, scalability, innovation, and promoting economic development in the region.
Participants are encouraged to meet with Corridor staff prior to the competition to discuss eligibility requirements and guidelines. Video submissions will be accepted starting in January, with a public voting period through February, and the final competition in March. Visit the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development website for more information.
