3rd BIG Challenge underway

If you like the show “Shark Tank” you’ll get a kick out of this. The BIG Competition is like a smaller version of the show.

This is the 3rd year Grown Idaho Falls has put on the competition.

People from all over Eastern Idaho participate.

“We’re trying to find that little project that somebody has an idea for that might actually become a viable business,” said Linda Martin Grow Idaho Falls CEO.

Contestants submit a 2 minute video and short executive summary explaining their product or service. They go in front of a panel of judges and give their pitch in 10 minutes. The judges score them based on the earlier submissions.

The contestants do have mentors that help them prepare for their pitches.

Martin said so far this has been very successful.

“The first year there were some winners with a company called Advanced Ceramic Fibers that actually has begun operations and they are maybe looking for some additional space and they are doing very, very well they’ve hired people and that’s exactly the type of success we’re looking for,” said Martin.

This competition is still growing. Organizers hope to include high schoolers next year.

The winner will be announced Friday.

This year’s first place price is $4,000.