The 2025 BIG Idea Competition received a total of 325 entries involving 421 students from 67 schools. The Competition again offered a two track competition with a virtual competition for finalists outside of South Dakota, and an in person competition for South Dakota students. Each track of finalists was judged by a separate judging panel with separate prizes awarded. The 2025 event wrapped up Thursday, December 18, at Northern State University (NSU) with the Awards Ceremony. Winter weather complicated the day so finalists unable to travel were still able to compete. Winners from both competitions were announced along with four special category awards, elevator pitch awards and teacher recognition awards. Nearly $55,000 in cash and scholarships was awarded. Clips from the event can be found below, and the livestream for the entire event can be found on the BIG Idea facebook page (@BIGIdeaSD).
IN-STATE Competition
FINALISTS AND SPECIAL CATEGORY WINNERS
Top row (from left to right): Bennett Woolverton and Dean Castellano, Warner (1st Place); Brynn Kindelsprire, Tri-Valley (2nd Place); Max Lauseng, Chris McCormick and Kolbe Mohling, Watertown (3rd Place).
Bottom row (from left to right): Macee McGregor and Bentley Miotke, Webster; Elyana Roach, Aberdeen Roncalli; Rylee Huggett, Webster; Bella Unser, Ipswich; and Ashley Bubacz, Watertown.
First Place
- Dakota Detailing
First place in the South Dakota competition was awarded to Dakota Detailing, a high-quality, professional car cleaning service for customers who value their vehicles’ appearance and longevity. The prize includes a $1,000 cash prize and $2,500 scholarships to each NSU, Dakota State University (DSU) and University of South Dakota (USD).
- Bennett Woolverton and Dean Castellano from Warner High School (Pam Lane, advisor)
Second Place
- Bloom
Second place went to Bloom, an after-school program that provides after-school educational services to children in grades K-6. Second place prizes include $500 cash, and $2,000 scholarships to each NSU, DSU and USD.
- Brynn Kindelspire from Tri-Valley High School (Tracy Vogt, advisor)
Third Place
Sizzle Shakk
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Third place was awarded to Sizzle Shakk, a quick-serve restaurant that will offer chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, waffle fries, and gelato. Third place prizes include $250 cash, $1,500 scholarships to each NSU, DSU and USD
- Max Lauseng, Chris McCormick and Kolbe Mohling, Watertown High School (Tom Lenox, advisor)
Other Finalists
- Pretty Paws Staycation
Macee McGregor & Bentley Miotke of Webster High School (Jessica McGregor, advisor)
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Shearing Excellence
Elyana Roach of Aberdeen Roncalli High School (Michelle O’Keefe, advisor)Set+Play
Rylan Huggett of Webster High School (Jessica McGregor, advisor)
- The Hair Lair
Ashley Bubacz of Watertown High School (Tom Lenox, advisor)
- B’s Bouquets
Bella Unser of Ipswich High School (Chad Richardt, advisor)
OUT-OF-STATE Competition
FINALISTS
Top row: (from left to right) Aditya Herekar, John P. Stevens High School (NJ) & Karan Verma, Liberty High School (TX); Ayush Dadgale & Hasini Manne, Brookfield East High School (WI); Taylen Li, Mason Hu, & Hugo Ho, Winston Churchill High School (MD); Aadi Raut & Jerry Wang, Green Hope High School (NC)
Bottom row: (from left to right) Karthik Pasupuleti & Nitish Nattudurai, American High School (CA); Arnav Rajeev, McNeil High School (TX); Rithu Kannan, Independence High School (TX); Shalmi Sen, & Shresta Dadani, Coppell High School (TX)
First Place
- Naturista
Taking first place in the Out-of-State Competition is Naturista which offers healthy, convenient and eco-friendly coffee pods providing the same rich flavor coffee lovers crave without harming the planet. - Aditya Herekar from John P. Stevens High School (NJ) & Karan Verma from Liberty High School (TX)
Second Place
- WheyMaker
The second place winner was WheyMaker which purchases whey waste in bulk and turns it into green, affordable protein supplements for mass consumption. It’s a win-win: dairy farmers earn money from waste, and we receive cheap protein. - Ayush Dadgale & Hasini Manne, Brookfield East High School (WI)
Third Place
- EcoGrid
Finishing in third place winner is EcoGrid, an AI-powered energy management platform that uses advanced machine learning to predict electricity demand and optimize energy usage in electrical grids. EcoGrid aims to combat rising carbon emissions, balance grid instability, and reduce the costs of energy consumption. - Taylen Li, Mason Hu, & Hugo Ho, Winston Churchill High School (MD)
Other Finalists
- Psyche
Audi Raut and Jerry Wang of Green Hope High School (NC)
Nourishly
Karthik Pasupuleti, Nitish Nattudurai of American High School (CA)
- SignaLink
Arnav Rajeev of McNeil High School (TX)
- Pulse+
Rithu Kannan of Independence High School (TX)
- PrepHeart
Shalmi Sen and Shresta Dadani of Coppell High School (TX)
2025 Finalists and Honorable Mentions (PDF)
Elevator Pitch Video Winner (Recorded and Live)
(sponsored by Dakota Plains Commercial Real Estate)
- Dakota Detailing
Bennett Woolverton and Dean Castellano of Warner High School
Wellness Winner
(sponsored by Independent Health Solutions)
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- NeuroGrip
Pranav Srinivasan and Nishchal Talugula of Edison High School (NJ)
- NeuroGrip
Agriculture Innovation Winner
(sponsored by the South Dakota Agriculture Foundation)
- Boekelheide Airborno Mosquito Spraying
Ty Boekelheide of Northwestern High School (Alexz Smith-Peterson, advisor)
Hometown Business Winner
(sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Association)
- Pretty Paws Staycation
Macee McGregor & Bentley Miotke of Webster High School (Jessica McGregor, advisor)
Makers Winner
(sponsored by Katie and James Washnok from Blackout Industries)
- EV Evolution
Zander Harry of Groton High School (Eric Swenson, advisor)
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Partners in Business Awards
(sponsored by Angelhaus)
- This year’s recipients of the Partners in Business award presented by Nathan Gellhaus of Angelhaus (right center) are Chad Richardt at Ipswich High School (left center), Pam Lane at Warner High School (center) and Jessica McGregor at Webster High School (not prictured).
BIG Idea 2025 Competition Awards Presentation:
Thank you to our 2025 Young Entrepreneurs!
Samantha Wipf, Caleb Hubert and Noah Felderman
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 our sponsors: Northern State University (primary sponsor), new sponsors, Knight Foundation of the SD Community Foundation, First Interstate Bank, and ICAN Network; and returning sponsors, East River Electric, REED Fund, Dacotah Bank, First Bank and Trust, Plains Commerce Bank, Agtegra, South Dakota Retailers Association, South Dakota Agriculture Foundation, Blackout Industries. Missouri River Energy Services, Independent Health Solutions, Dakota Plains Commercial Real Estate, McQuillen Creative Group, Aberdeen Development Corporation, Angelhaus, Northwestern Energy, 3M, Tom and Danielle Aman Foundation, GROW SD, and Midco.
The next competition will open again on September 1, 2026.