KEARNEY – Big Idea Kearney just got bigger.
Aspiring entrepreneurs can win up to $5,000 in seed money during the University of Nebraska at Kearney business pitch competition – the largest grand prize ever.
Organized by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development, Big Idea Kearney is designed to foster and showcase the innovative business and product ideas coming from campus and the wider community. It’s open to both UNK students and Kearney-area residents.
“We really want to encourage participation from across the community,” said Sara Bennett, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development. “Although we’re located on campus and UNK students are our main focus, it’s important that we’re supporting entrepreneurship throughout the Kearney region. My hope is that we see more community engagement in every aspect of this event, from idea submissions to attendance and audience participation.”
To submit an idea, visit unk.edu/bigidea and complete the online form before Oct. 23. Entries don’t need to be fully developed business plans, but they do need to include:
- a description of the product or service and its target audience;
- your goals over the next six months to move the idea forward;
- and examples of your innovation and creativity.
Why are you the right person to make this happen in Kearney?
There is no cost to participate, but contestants younger than 19 must have parental/guardian consent.
Every participant will receive a free one-day pass to Nest:Space and a discounted order from 24 Hour Tees. Additional incentives may be available based on a contestant’s address.
Finalists will work with the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development to refine their pitches before they’re presented 5:30 p.m. Nov. 6 during a live event at Legacy on the Bricks, 16 W. 21st St. in downtown Kearney. The “Shark Tank”-style competition uses scoring from a panel of judges and the audience to determine the winners, who receive $5,000 for first place, $1,000 for second and $500 for third.
Finalists also receive a gift bag and access to key resources and professional services, along with valuable networking.
“This is an opportunity for our local innovators and entrepreneurs to get their ideas out there and hopefully take that next step toward growing the business community in Kearney,” Bennett said. “Every business, whether large or small, began as an idea. By providing resources that help people develop these ideas, we can nurture local entrepreneurship and create job opportunities within our communities.”
Big Idea Kearney is sponsored by the UNK College of Business and Technology, Development Council for Buffalo County, Invest Nebraska, ALLO, Nebraska Enterprise Fund, Nebraska Business Development Center, NUtech Ventures, Pinnacle Bank and Nebraska Tech Collaborative.
For more information, visit unk.edu/bigidea or contact Bennett at 308-865-8199 or bennettsa2@unk.edu.
