Big Idea
Big Idea Grand Island
Monday, November 3rd, 2025
Location TBA - Free Admission
Location TBA
Social Hour @ 5:30p
Pitches Start @ 6:30p
About Big Idea
It's like Shark Tank – kind of.
There’s an idea. There’s a panel of “sharks”. There’s also an audience, access to resources, and money.
Big Idea is our version of Shark Tank. Ideas are submitted in advance, narrowed down to a group of finalists, and ideas are pitched LIVE in front of an audience and panel of judges. Pitches must be 2 minutes or less. Each pitch is followed by a Q&A.
Top ideas will win access and discounts to key resources, business coaching and planning services, and startup money to launch their business in Grand Island! Our panel of judges determines the top 5 and popular vote (yes, the audience) determines who takes home the top 3 cash prizes!
The Basics
Congratulations to the Past Winners!
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| 1st Place | Deliboards GI - Melissa Zurcher | Danielle Helzer - Rooted Books | Hayley Royle - 29th Design |
| 2nd Place | Feast - Thomas Harper | Michelle Simmons - Simmons Sweets | Brenda Kay - FIthy Hair Mobile Studio |
| 3rd Place | RAH Artistry - Robert Heagy | Enny Ellison - Indo - Archipelago | Fouad Mhadji Issa - Koponi Vanilla |
| New to 2024 - Popular Vote | Wasteland - Damian Favazza | ||
| Top 5 | Deliboards GI
Feast RAH Artistry Something Smol Grand Island Social Media
|
Rooted Books and Gifts
Simmons Sweets Indo- Archipelago Really Dan Games EnchantInk |
29th Design
Decode Humanity FIthy Hair Mobile Studio Garden Park Koponi Vanilla |
| Top 10 | Deliboards GI
Feast RAH Artistry Wasteland Grand Island Social Media Something Smol Monster Cookiez Los Forasteros Snacks Barks Meow Boutique and Barkery Smoldering Wick |
Rooted Books and Gifts
Simmons Sweets Indo- Archipelago Really Dan Games EnchantInk Party Animal Event Suppliers Homicide Prevention Program Panderia Emanuel Valid Fly by Night Printing |
29th Design
Decode Humanity FIthy Hair Mobile Studio Garden Park Grand Island Afro Hair Products Koponi Vanilla Novus Body Care RPM's SkateGI S'Cool Kids |
Sponsors
Title Sponsors
Prize Sponsors
Community Sponsors
idea-bank
central-community-college
logic-nebraska
Professional Partners
community-dev-resources
Lutz
tally-creative
catholic-charities
center-for-rural-affairs
farmers-insurance
grand-island-chamber
Coordinating Sponsors
grand-island-chamber
Contact Information
Big Idea Grand Island is made possible by:
For inquiries:
Aimee & Anela
CCC Entrepreneurship Center
308-398-7425
entrepreneurshipcenter@cccneb.edu
Becky & Mary
GIAEDC
308-381-7500