The 2021 BIG Idea Competition was a BIG success with 238 entries involving 299 high school students from 34 schools! The BIG Idea Committee would like to congratulate this year’s winners who received nearly $35,000 in cash and scholarships.
Back row: (From left to right) Landon Wolf and Triton Grajczyk, Eureka; Ian Grinager, Rapid City Christian; Jakob Thompson, Colman-Egan; Tanner Reed, Flandreau.
Front row: (From left to right) Danny Cao, Madison Central; Avery Miles, Doland (3rd Place and Agriculture Innovation Winner); Collin Fuller, Henry (1st Place); Olivia Grinager, Rapid City Christian; Jacob Elberson, Pierre.
First Place
- Foxton Metalworks
Foxton Metalworks was created by Collin Fuller, Senior from Henry High School. His business idea creates both decorative and function metal art for the American home. - Collin Fuller of Henry High School
Second Place
- Autisome
Autisome was created by Eesha Jain, Freshman from Interlake High School in Washington. Her idea is an app containing daily exercises for the brain to improve the intellectual and commutation skills for those with autism. While the competition is marketed to South Dakota students, it is open to any high school student. - Eesha Jain of Interlake High School
Third Place
- The Pulse Potential
The Pulse Potential was created by Avery Miles, Junior from Doland High School, with Bailey Coats as her advisor. Her business idea offers a solution to increase conception rates in breeding cattle through the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) technology. - Avery Miles of Doland High School
Other Finalists
Reed Fencing
Reed Fencing was created by Tanner Reed of Flandreau Public High School, with Brendan Streitz as his advisor. Tanner’s idea was to run a mobile fencing business for farmers and ranchers.
Tanner Reed of Flandreau Public High School
Shake N’ Bake
Shake N’ Bake was created by Landon Wolf and Triton Grajczyk from Eureka High School, with Karen Mettler as their advisor. Their business idea provides a clean and friendly place that supplies gas pumps and convenience store items in their local community.
Landon Wolf and Triton Grajczyk of Eureka High School
Rent My Trailer
Rent My Trailer was created by Olivia and Ian Grinager from Rapid City Christian High School and Jakob Thompson from Colman-Egan High School. Their idea was an online business that will let people that own trailers, rent them to people that need to use trailers.
Olivia and Ian Grinager of Rapid City Christian High School and Jakob Thompson of Colman-Egan High School
CyberTech Software
CyberTech Software was created by Danny Cao from Madison Central High School, with Kristie Olson as his advisor. His business idea focuses on the need for quality software and cybersecurity solutions to utilize the power of technology efficiently.
Danny Cao of Madison Central High School
Burger Builder
Burger Builder was created by Jacob Elberson from Pierre T.F. Riggs High School, with Cheryl Ulmen. His idea was a fast food restaurant where you can customize anything about your meal.
Jacob Elberson of Pierre T.F. Riggs High School
Download the 2021 Finalists and Honorable Mentions (PDF)
BIG Idea 2021 Competition Awards Presentation:
Winner of the Marketing Design competition, sponsored by McQuillen Creative Group, was:
- The Farmhouse Boutique
Ella Stiefvater of McCook Central High School (pictured below with Marketing Design)
Winner of the Wellness Category competition, sponsored by Sanford Health, was:
- Autisome
- Eesha Jain of Interlake High School (WA) (pictured below)
Winner of the Agriculture Innovation competition, sponsored by the South Dakota Agriculture Foundation, was:
- The Pulse Potential
Avery Miles of Doland High School (pictured below)
- In Touch Interviews
- Adam St. Paul with Dakota Broadcasting
- Colling Fuller – Foxton Metalworks In Touch Interview:
- https://dakotabroadcasting.com/in-touch/612488
- Jacob Elberson – Burger Builder In Touch Interview
- https://dakotabroadcasting.com/in-touch/614362
- Avery Miles – The Pulse Potential In Touch Interview
- https://dakotabroadcasting.com/in-touch/615015
- Partners in Business Award
- Sponsored by Angelhaus
- Donna Herrick, Aberdeen Roncalli High School
- Becky Hubsch, Groton High School
- Shauna Severson, Bowdle High School
Thank you to our 2021 Business Panelists!
Hub City Radio
– Brian Lundquist
Schwab Audiology
– Elizabeth Schwab
Family Wolfpack Jiujitsu
– Joshua Citrak
(pictured right)
Special Thanks
A Special Thanks to the teachers who encouraged their students’ participation and the students themselves for putting in the hard work to make it a fun, competitive competition.
Thanks to the committee members and community leaders who participated as judges, panelists and supporters.
Also a special thanks to all of your sponsors: Small Business Development Center, Sanford Health, East River Electric, REED Fund, Dacotah Bank, McQuillen Creative Group, Northern State University, Presentation College, South Dakota Schools of Mines & Technology, First Bank & Trust, Angelhaus, Northwestern Energy, Agtegra, 3M, Missouri River Energy Services, Aberdeen Area Community Foundation, Aberdeen Development Corporation, the Tom & Danielle Aman Foundation, Midco, GROW South Dakota, the South Dakota Agriculture Foundation, and 3M.
The next competition will open again on September 1, 2022.