ABERDEEN, S.D. — Five finalists will compete for cash prizes as they pitch their business ideas Shark Tank-style at Northern State University's annual Idea Pitch Competition on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Business and Health Innovation Center.
The event, which is free and open to the public, showcases innovative ideas from Northern students and provides an opportunity for the audience to help select the winners of three $50 People's Choice awards.
The finalists and their ideas are:
- Kenan Davis: Sunday South – Elevated Southern Brunch
- John Ellis, Maggie Kruger, Fan Zhang and Jason Sazue: A Film/Podcast/Media Club
- Blake Stoks: Sweet Chillz
- Ryder Vrchota: Vrchota Property Management
- Katrina Holzkamm: Hometown Hidden Gems
Each finalist will have five minutes to present their business idea, followed by five minutes of questions and answers with a panel of judges. The panel will include local business professionals, business owners, potential investors and representatives from development centers.
Winners will be announced and prizes awarded following the competition.
Sponsored by the Aberdeen Development Corporation, the competition offers $1,000 in total prize money, with $500 for first place, $250 for second place, $100 for third place and $150 for the People's Choice awards.
“The Idea Pitch Competition provides finalists with the opportunity to present their entrepreneurial ideas to local professionals to gain insights to move their idea forward,” said Kristi Bockorny, Dacotah Bank Dean of the School of Business and professor of management at Northern State University. “This experience also strengthens the students' communication and critical-thinking skills and helps build confidence.”
Organized by Northern State University's School of Business and Northern Innovation and Startup Center, the annual Idea Pitch Competition encourages students across campus to explore entrepreneurship, develop innovative ideas and gain real-world experience through public presentations and feedback from business professionals.
For more information and to learn about past winners, visit northern.edu/idea-pitch-competition.
For more information, contact Chad Hatzenbuhler, director of communications and marketing, at chad.hatzenbuhler@northern.edu or 605-626-2046.