Pitching Success in East Central Indiana

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In the world of entrepreneurship, “Shark Tank” reigns supreme. Now, local communities like East Central Indiana are holding their own version of the competition, challenging visionaries to devise winning business plans. With dedicated workshops, cash prizes for winners and even valuable takeaways for non-winners, these events increase the likelihood of business success for East Central Indiana entrepreneurs.

Innovation Connector’s Big Idea Pitch 

When Delaware County’s BIG Idea Pitch began in early 2014, it welcomed all. 

“We wanted to remove barriers that would keep people from pitching, provide educational opportunities leading up to the competition, and put no restrictions on how the awards could be utilized,” says Innovation Connector Executive Director Ted Baker. 

The call drew participants ranging from 6 to 65 years old, including students, retirees, people looking to create side ventures and those starting full-time businesses. Once it was established that most participants fell into two categories, lifestyle businesses and tech-enabled businesses, Baker’s team split the competitions with two separate sets of judges and doubled the number of awards. 

Baker says the change brought great success. One past winner, 6-year-old Kai Markelz, developed Froggles, frog-decorated goggles that prevent shampoo from running into kids’ eyes. He pitched his idea to six judges and beat out 40 pitches to win first place and $4,000. He and his parents used the funds to invest in materials for an expanded line of Doggles and Hoggles, all now trademarked, and have a licensing deal in the works. 

Along with pitch competitions, Innovation Connector also hosts workshop series for budding East Central Indiana entrepreneurs who could learn everything from how to balance a startup with a full-time job to how to maintain your mental health when under work-induced stress. 

Randolph County’s Open for Business 

In 2023, Jackie Welch, vice president of business and community development for Randolph County United, channeled her entrepreneurial passion into a competition. She found that while the opportunity to win prize money was the initial draw, it was the mandatory workshops and networking opportunities that really impacted participants. 

“Many beginning entrepreneurs don’t know what they don’t know,” Welch says. “And they can’t know everything. If you’re looking to be a business owner, you should be able to commit 90 minutes of your time for six weeks to set your business up for success.” 

Participants quickly saw the benefits of the workshops offered by the Small Business Development Center. 

“After the program, survey feedback was that even if they didn’t win, they learned a tremendous amount,” Welch says. “They got to market their goods or services not just to the panel of judges but to 117 community members who came to watch the competition.” 

In a unique twist, Welch’s team added a panel of student judges from five county schools, providing them an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and dole out $500 to one winner of their choice. 

“It was a great opportunity for students to have a voice and think ahead, for community members to see what’s going on and what’s coming in their community, and for everyone to support each other,” Welch says. 

Jay County’s Launch Jay! 

When CRC Manufacturing presented their Trinity Tree Stand invention to a panel of judges at last year’s Launch Jay! competition, they emerged first-place winners. The $7,500 award was just the beginning – a year later, they’ve reached their goal of doubling their year-over-year sales. 

“They are a great example of how our pitch competition, coupled with dreams and hard work, spurs entrepreneurism and growth in our community. The event enabled CRC to connect with a member of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation seated in the audience, IN-STEP (Indiana State Trade and Export Promotion program), and the Export Indiana Accelerator Program,” says Travis Richards, executive director of the Jay County Development Corporation. 

Previous winners share updates at the annual event and represent a variety of businesses: a coffee shop and bakery; a décor, arts and crafts store; photography, equine and counseling services, and more. 

Tabby Sprunger, executive director of the Jay County Chamber, says anyone with a business idea is welcome to enter. 

“Even if you don’t win, you get professional advice on how to take your business plan to the next level and how to turn your ideas into a reality, and the publicity that comes with participation in the event is priceless.”