The BIG Idea Competition seeks to make incremental improvements each year to better the competition for students and streamline the process.  In 2025, the recorded elevator pitch will return after its debut in 2024.  Students will provide a 30-60 second verbal overview of their business concept.  Students will share their inspiration for the idea in their pitch, rather than in a separate field on the entry form. To accommodate the continued growth of the Competition, entries will need to pass a qualification round to advance to Round 1 judging which will determine the finalists. All entries will still receive feedback at the end of the competition.

BIG Idea celebrates the addition of two new sponsors for 2025 including the Knight Foundation of the SD Community Foundation and First Interstate Bank.  Prize money for the competition including the 4 specialty category awards are the same as 2024 and can be seen here.  Scholarship partners are Northern State University, Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota.