It's Time Submit Big Ideas

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Big ideas are being accepted for Big Idea Grand Island which will be held on Nov. 3 at the Grand Theater in downtown Grand Island.

Now in its fourth year, Big Idea Grand Island is a spin on the popular television show, “Shark Tank.” Like the TV program, entrepreneurial hopefuls make a two-minute pitch before a panel of judges for a product, service or invention. This year, with a donation from the Central Nebraska Growth Foundation and area business partners, they have been able to “up” the prizes. Ten finalists will be selected from the submissions, which opened on Sept. 1. Each finalist will pitch their idea in front of the audience and judges. The top five finalists are determined by the audience and the judges pick the top three winners. The prize for first place is $10,000 to help the winner start or grow their business. The second-place prize is worth $2,000 and the third-place prize is worth $500 plus professional services. The audience will determine a popular vote winner.

"Big Idea is more than a competition, it’s a celebration of the creativity and determination that fuel Grand Island,” said Aimee Steinhardt-Duysen, director of CCC's Grand Island Entrepreneurship Center. “By supporting innovation and giving entrepreneurs a platform to grow, we’re investing in the future of our community and building opportunities that last for generations.”

Business or product ideas can be submitted through midnight on Oct. 15 at www.bigideagi.com. Ideas must be for-profit and can be retail-based, technology-driven, product inventions, food service, or service-based.

“The entrepreneurial ecosystem is vital to our community, driving innovation and growth in Grand Island," said Mary Berlie, Grand Island Area Economic Development president. Recognizing this, the Central Nebraska Growth Foundation saw the importance of fostering local talent and decided to increase the prize money for this year's event. This support not only empowers entrepreneurs to pursue their ventures but also strengthens our entire community by encouraging economic development and job creation."

Big Idea is organized by the Central Community College Entrepreneurship Center in collaboration with the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation.