By SARA GIBONEY
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Jonah Staab recently won first place at Big Idea Kearney with a business idea to create Sydewynder Wheels for skateboards.
Staab and nine other entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas at Cunningham’s Journal Nov. 16 during Big Idea Kearney, an event that promotes entrepreneurship in the community.
The purpose of the event, which is sponsored by the Center for Rural Research and Development in the University of Nebraska at Kearney College of Business and Technology, is to support a culture of entrepreneurship in the area by providing those entering with feedback through networking with other entrepreneurs and community leaders.
Over 50 ideas were submitted and judges selected the top 10 based on innovation and feasibility.
Staab’s Sydewynder Wheels are an innovation for skateboard wheels that allow the skater to go in multiple directions without grinding down the wheel. Staab is working on his fifth prototype. He won $1,000.
UNK student Kelsey Wiemers won second place with her Bunk Buddy business idea. She won $500. Chais Meyer won third place with his business idea for the Workman’s Tailgate. He won $250.
Scott Sanders, who pitched an idea for a two-inch thick snap lock panel, and Benjamin Carlson, who pitched an idea for Avialoft, received honorable mentions.
Guest judges were Dan Hoffman from Invest NE, Dena Beck from Rural Enterprise Assistance Program /Center for Rural Affairs and Dean Tim Burkink from UNK.
Big Idea Kearney is sponsored by The Economic Development Council of Buffalo County, Invest Nebraska Corp., Center for Rural Research and Development at UNK, NUTech Ventures and Emyth.
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Writer: Sara Giboney, 308.865.8529, giboneys2@unk.edu
Source: Lisa Tschauner, 308.865.8135, tschaunerle@unk.edu
