Two Benton County entrepreneurs are competing for votes and ultimately $15,000 in the Creative Corridor Dream Big business idea contest going on now.
This contest is heating up with 33 early stage entrepreneurs competing from around the greater Iowa City/Cedar Rapids region. The five ideas with the most votes at midnight on November 9 will be invited to pitch their idea live to a panel of successful entrepreneurs on November 15. The winner of the pitch event will go home with a check for $5,000 and be entered to compete at the state level next spring for $10,000 more.
The Benton County community is invited to vote now and daily for their favorite big ideas at VoteDreamBig.com.
The contest entries from Benton County are:
Lunch Deal App
Alex Frazier, of Vinton, Iowa, is launching an app that helps groups of coworkers decide where to eat locally for lunch.
http://www.myentre.net/busProfile/tabid/95/Default.aspx?entry=752
Josa Power-Block
Joey Svejda, of Atkins, Iowa, has developed a power-block which allows truckers to monitor their block heater during cold weather months.
http://www.myentre.net/busProfile/tabid/95/Default.aspx?entry=741
Public online voting at VoteDreamBig.com will end at 11:59PM on November 9. The five entrepreneurs with the most votes at that time will be invited to pitch their ideas live to a panel of judges at a special regional event on November 15. The winner from the pitch night will go home with a check for $5,000 and be entered to compete for $10,000 at the statewide EntreFest! conference in 2013.
“The big ideas coming out of this contest are diverse and inspiring,” said Mark Nolte, Iowa City Area Development Group’s Interim Director and member of the Corridor Business Alliance. “I, along with all of the Corridor Business Alliance members, encourage everyone in the Creative Corridor to check out these ideas and support these big thinkers with your votes. That’s what this contest all about - supporting, connecting, and enthusiastically cheering on those who dream big, push boundaries and move our region forward.”
The Corridor Business Alliance is partnering with the University of Northern Iowa and a host of statewide sponsors to offer this business idea contest to big thinkers in the seven counties that make up the Creative Corridor region: Johnson, Washington, Benton, Jones, Linn, Cedar and Iowa County. Other sponsors include MyEntreNet, the Iowa Bankers Association, Renew Rural Iowa, ISU Community Vitality Center, Iowa Economic Development Authority, VentureNet, Delta Dental of Iowa and the Technology Association of Iowa.
Lead sponsor for the statewide Dream Big Grow Here 2012 project is the Iowa Bankers Association. John Sorensen, president and CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association notes that, “Entrepreneurs and small business owners are the heart and soul of Iowa’s economy. They provide jobs for thousands of Iowans and economic growth for our local communities. Voting for these local businesses gives them the opportunity to win money that can be crucial to making these dreams a reality. The Dream Big Grow Here grants are a terrific way for Iowa banks to help recognize the hard work and commitment of Iowa’s entrepreneurs.”
For more information on the Creative Corridor Dream Big business idea contest visit our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/ccdreambig) or contact Amanda Styron at amanda@seedhere.org or (319) 32BUILD.
Important Upcoming Dates:
• Nov 9: Deadline for public online voting (the five ideas with the most online votes will invited to pitch live)
• Nov 15: Live Pitch Night (the winner will go home with a check for $5000!)
Important Links:
• Vote for your favorite Dream Big ideas at VoteDreamBig.com
• Get information and updates about our region’s contest on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/CCDreamBig
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