By: Sheena Peters—
Muncie, In—The Innovation Connector of Muncie, Indiana is hosting the fourth annual BIG Idea Pitch competition for local entrepreneurs and innovators to “pitch” their business, business concepts, product or invention to a panel of judges from the business and investment community. There are many very creative and interesting concepts from people in our region, and this competition will showcase those ideas and offer what it takes to advance them. This event is for individuals in all phases of the business, including startup or pre-startup. Jr High and High School students as well as college students also are encouraged to apply.
The BIG Idea Pitch competition is your chance to prove the potential of your business idea, meet people who can help you succeed, and maybe even win a cash prize! Competitors will have three minutes to “hit it out of the park” before a panel of judges from the business and investment community.
(Listen to the WLBC radio commercial below.)
The schedule of events is as follows:
Each Training Camp will be held at the Innovation Connector from 6:30pm – 8:00pm.
TRAINING CAMPS –
Training Camp #1 – Monday, October 16th
Speaker – Krystal Geyer, Assistant Director for BSU Entrpreneurship Center –
Fun, informative session to find out what this is all about. Learn about idea formation.
Training Camp #2 – Monday, October 23rd
Speaker – Jacob Schpok, Serial Entrepreneur – Recent Exit of his 3rd Startup – Former State Director of the Indiana Small Business Development Center and Former Executive Director of the Indiana Office of Small Business & Entrepreneurship –
Learn how your ideas can solve problems in the marketplace.
Training Camp #3 – Monday, October 30th
Speakers – Matt Carder, Well-known guest presenter & Ted Baker, Executive Director – Innovation Connector –
Learn what is needed to take your idea to reality and how to pitch it to others.
THE DRAFT- Friday, November 3rd
Final Day to submit your BIG Idea Pitch application (submissions close at midnight.)
SEMI-FINALS COMPETITION – Monday, November 6th
Come out of the Dugout and be ready to qualify for the Finals! Competitors will pitch to a panel of judges. Five finalists will be selected to compete in the Finals to claim the place of The BIG Idea Pitch Winner 2017.
The BIG Idea Pitch Finals & Excellence in Innovation Awards – Tuesday, November 14th
Throw Us Your Curve Ball! – Champion Final Competition at the Excellence in Innovation Awards Event held at the Horizon Convention Center. Attendees will be able to see and hear the five finalists from The BIG Idea Pitch competition – three minutes to pitch business ideas to a panel of distinguished judges. The final results will be revealed that night with prize packages of nearly $40,000 in cash and services awarded.
All competitors will receive invaluable feedback, a fun experience, and valuable exposure to business leaders & potential mentors. For more details or to make a submission, go to http://innovationconnector.com/bigideapitch/ or contact Alexis Dishman at 765-285-4900.
The BIG Idea Pitch 2017 and the Excellence in Innovation Awards are presented by the Innovation Connector and sponsored in part by First Merchants Bank, Ball State University, Indiana Michigan Power, MutualBank, Whitinger Strategic Services, Whitinger & Company, R&R Engineering, Ontario Systems, WLBC and the Muncie Journal.
