(Rock Rapids)– Entrepreneurs in several northwest Iowa counties are being urged to participate in the “Big Challenge” contest. Lyon County Economic Development Director Steve Simons says big is an acronym for build, innovate and grow…
“The Big Challenge is a program Northwest Iowa Developers and the Iowa West Coast Group out of Sioux City work together on. It’s an entrepreneur program where businesses three years or younger, entrepreneurs, small business start-ups, pitch their business and try to earn cash at the end of the program to put back into the business that they’re operating.”
He says it’s similar to the show “Shark Tank”…
“It’s a good program for small businesses, start up businesses and entrepreneurs because it gives them the chance to look at their business as they go through the application process. It gives them coaching in the process and work with the SBDC out of Spencer, and so it’s a good educational opportunity for them and then at the end they’ve got a opportunity to earn some cash to put back into the business that they’re working on.”
Simons says whether they win or not, it’s a good experience for those trying to run the businesses…
“As they’re trying to build their business and get started sometimes you lose a little bit of your focus and this makes you go back and look at things and maybe re-evaluate how you’re doing certain parts of your business and then with the help of the coaching that goes along with it. It’s a good educational learning experience whether you make the final pitch event or not.”
The cooperating economic development organizations are teaming up to offer $10,000 in prize money. Now through October 1st entrepreneurs in Lyon, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury counties can enter submissions at www.iawestcoast.com. Voting on the submitted ideas will be held October 4th-13th. The regional contest will be held November 16th in Le Mars. The winner will get $5,000; second place receives $3,000 and third place will get $2,000 to grow their business.
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KIWA in Sheldon)
