The BIG Challenge Entrepreneur Program
Build - Innovate - Grow in Northwest Iowa
It's time to vote for your favorite entries in the contest! Click on the entry name to see the entry video and vote for your favorite(s). You can vote once per entry per day. An email address is required for your first vote. Voting is open through October 14th.
- Andrew Carpenter - K & A Small Engine Repair of Le Mars - Le Mars
- Jennifer Scholten - Simpatico Decor & Gifts - Le Mars
- Donita Stubbe - S2B Fishing Supplies - Rock Rapids
- Ashley Nwaokolo - Egents VR Photography - Sheldon
- Reece Vander Zee - Carroll Street Treats - Rock Rapids
- Andrea Kreykes - Andrea's Flower Farm - Sanborn
- Dustin Rhodes - Ability Tech LLC - Sioux City
- Megan Thompson - Coffee & Purrs - Sioux City
- Paula Khatchatourian - Paula's Pet Pals - Sioux City
- Jonathan VanTuyl - Roots Substance Abuse Counseling, LLC - Sioux City
- Chad Richardson - Sioux City Plastics and Textile Company, LLC - Sioux City
- Jessica Hammond - Brutal Doodles - Sioux City
- Jaime Furrow - Furrow Flower Farm -Sioux City
- Jake Hawkins - Crumb - Sioux City
About The BIG Challenge
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.
Submit Your Idea
The submission period for The BIG Challenge 2022 will open on September 5 and continue through 11:59 pm on October 2nd, 2022. To enter you'll need to fill out the online application, including a short video submission.
Eligibility
- Be located in Lyon, Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien, Plymouth, Woodbury, or Monona County.
- Own 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 Dream Big Grow Here competition or The BIG Challenge.
Voting
Finalists will recruit friends, family, and customers to vote for their idea online during the voting period. Voting will take place from October 5 - 14.
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 have access to the University of Northern Iowa’s Business Concierge Services, as well as receive personalized coaching from the Small Business Development Center and UNI’s Center for Business Growth and Innovation.
Pitch Competition
The regional contest will be held the evening of Thursday, November 17 in Sioux City. 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.
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.
