As a young entrepreneur, what business would you start in your world to make it a better place to live? Think about problems you hear about in today’s news or problems that you personally experience. What business can you create to solve those problems? How can you use technology to solve those problems? Put your best business idea forward and compete for cash prizes and scholarships in the BIG Idea Competition – over $5,000 to be awarded! New this year is a $500 prize for the best business entry addressing wellness, sponsored by Sanford Health. Learn more about the competition by using the links below.

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Welcome to the Annual BIG Idea Competition

As a young entrepreneur, what business would you start in your world to make it a better place to live? Think about problems you hear about in today’s news or problems that you personally experience. What business can you create to solve those problems? How can you use technology to solve those problems? Put your best business idea forward and compete for cash prizes and scholarships in the BIG Idea Competition – over $5,000 to be awarded! New this year is a $500 prize for the best business entry addressing wellness, sponsored by Sanford Health. Learn more about the competition by using the links below.

CREATIVE THINKING

A GREAT TOOL FOR DEVELOPING YOUR BIG IDEA

Part of the mission of the BIG Idea Competition is to spur creative thinking as part of the business building process. Think about your business as a way to solve a problem. How can your BIG Idea change the world or just make your corner of it a better place to live? Do you need help creating your big idea? If you do, the link below will help you start the brainstorming process.

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Latest News & Announcements

Congratulations to our 2017 Winners!

First Place:

Dakota Cubs
Christian Westhoff of McCook Central High School

Second Place:

Soap Opera Laundromat & Dry Cleaning
Julia Neuharth of Eureka High School

Third Place:

Hot Look
Taylor Evans of Pierre T.F. Riggs High School
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More Previous Winners

2016 Winners

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2015 Winners

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2014 Winners

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Competition Sponsors

Small Business Development Center
Sanford Aberdeen
Reed Fund
East River Electric
Northern State University
Tom and Danielle Aman Foundation
McQuillen Creative Group
Presentation College
Aberdeen Development Corporation
Dacotah Bank
Northwestern Energy
Midcontinent Communications

View the full list of our Sponsors and Supporters →

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Get In Touch

  • Kelly Weaver
  • Small Business Development Center
  • 506 South Main St., Suite 2
  • Aberdeen, SD 57401
  • Phone: (605) 698-7654 Ext. 144
  • Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
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