The BIG Idea Pitch – Becoming an Entrepreneur at Six Years Old

Six-year-old Muncie resident Kai Markelz is launching his first business this holiday season after pitching his idea at the Innovation Connector’s annual BIG Idea Pitch Competition and earning 1st place.

 

When Lindsey and Andy Markelz pitched their business in the 2018 BIG Idea Pitch Competition, they were very passionate about making this a family event and included their children, Kai (then 4) and Tiana (2), in the ideation and planning process. Kai observed his parents’ excitement for their invention and tried very hard to identify a problem so that he could find a solution.

 

One day, after a bath, Kai hurried to his mother, eyes wide, “I have a good invention!” he announced. Accustomed by this point to patiently listening to his ideas, Lindsey anticipated the need to let him down easily again, but this time was different. Kai was frustrated during hair washing in the bath because soap and water would end up in his eyes.  He thought a pair of strapless goggles would keep his eyes tear-free. He worked on some sketches, deciding that animal designs would make them fun for kids.

 

“Kai liked the idea of inventing something and kept trying to identify problems and solutions. I remember how excited he was when he realized that he had identified a real problem and a viable solution because he was always so frustrated during hair washing. Looking back, it’s one of those ideas that makes you ask, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?'” Lindsey shared.

 

Kai worked with his parents to prepare for the 2020 BIG Idea Pitch, presenting “Froggles.” On the night of the big competition, Kai was calm, joking that his mom was more nervous than he was (she agreed), with his nerves ramping up only after walking into a room of adults and waiting to begin his pitch. After delivering their three-minute pitch, the mother-son team met some of the other local entrepreneurs and waited for the results. As the announcements started with fifth place and going to first, Kai rode the waves of hopefulness and concern as the prize pool narrowed. Ultimately 1st place was announced, and Kai moved with reserved excitement to the front of the room to claim his baseball bat trophy, which is now mounted in his bedroom.

 

“Of course, we’re excited that Kai came up with this idea and won, but we’re also thankful for the opportunity for him to focus on a goal and to put the hard work into preparing and practicing that ultimately paid off. The life lessons that he will carry forward are invaluable.” Lindsey and Andy Markelz said when asked about Kai’s invention.

 

Winning 1st place at the Innovation Connector’s BIG Idea Pitch Competition includes a prize package with an abundance of business services. With Innovation Connector partners’ services, Kai and his family can take his idea to the next level by launching an online store with Oggles 1.0 in three kid-friendly designs. Customers can now purchase Froggles, Doggles, and Unicoggles at myoggles.myshopify.com

Innovation Connector Announces the Winners of the Seventh Annual BIG Idea Pitch Competition

November 13, 2020 – Muncie, IN – On Monday, November 2nd The Innovation Connector of Muncie, Indiana, awarded five local entrepreneurs prizes for winning the seventh annual BIG Idea Pitch competition.

Over 35 entrepreneurs and innovators signed up to “pitch” their business, business concepts, product, or invention to a panel of judges for a chance to win an abundance of business services and cash prizes. This year our participants followed all COVID-19 guidelines and not only pitched in front of a panel of judges but also pitched in front of a socially-distanced room of viewers and many viewers from a streaming service through Facebook Live.

The winners of the 2020 BIG Idea Pitch Competition are:

1st Place: Kai and Lindsey Markelz – Froggles

2nd Place: Paul Dytmire and Andy Klotz – Score IT

3rd Place: Teah Mirabelli – Magnetic Nails

4th Place: Josh Raines – ARES: Alarm-Reducing Environmental Sensors

5th Place: Jacob Peterson, Melissa Jones, and Breanna Daugherty – Portefolio

In addition to a cash prize, each winner was awarded in-kind services, including marketing and branding, business coaching, financial help, a spot in the ADVANCE program, and more. All of the in-kind services were donated from the Innovation Connector’s partners.

Thank you to our partners for their continued support for the Innovation Connector and the BIG Idea Pitch 2020: First Merchants Bank, Whitinger Strategic Services, Whitinger & Company, Deltec Solutions, R&R Engineering, Action Technologies Group, Bankable, The City of Muncie, and Shafer Leadership Academy.

From left to right: Josh Raines, Paul Dytmire and Andy Klotz, Teah Mirabelli, Kai and Lindsey Markelz, Melissa Jones, Jacob Peterson, and Breanna Daugherty.

Xtern program expands to Muncie, additional expansion expected

For seven years now, the TechPoint Xtern program has become increasingly popular with college students across the U.S. Applicants have far out-paced the number of positions available from Indianapolis tech companies each year, even as companies outside the capital city wanted and needed young talent.

More than 2,000 students from 222 universities and 43 home states applied to be in the summer 2021 Xtern class, a high-engagement, 10-week, summer internship program that provides participants housing, access to numerous tech and governmental leaders, and a huge step forward into tech careers. Total available hiring spots for those Xterns: 150.

“The answer was obvious and had been for a while but it wasn’t until Casey Stanley, Vice President at Ontario Systems, and our Relationship Manager Jennifer Merrell got together this year that we came up with what we think could be a model for additional expansion,” said Merillat Flowers, Senior Director of TechPoint’s College to Career Talent programs.

“They started finishing each other’s sentences and throwing out ideas about who to go to next and how it could happen. Before we knew it, we had offers for housing, leadership, and hiring companies lining up,” she said.

A survey of the applicant pool showed that nearly 78 percent of the students were as happy to be placed in Muncie as Indianapolis. The result is that a portion of the 2021 Xtern class will be working and living (if the pandemic allows) in Muncie.

“It was amazing how many groups said yes when Casey started talking,” Jennifer said. “He took it on as a personal project, and it was like magic.”

Casey shrugs off his influence in the process, saying the community was ready to help long before it was asked.

“Muncie is a community that pulls together and helps each other out, and we’re all very proud of what we have to offer,” he said. “It’s nice to get to show that off a little bit.”

Leaders at Ball State University, the Innovation Connector, the City of Muncie, NextMuncie, and the Ball Brothers Foundation, First Merchant’s Bank, LEAP Managed IT, Dannar, Accutech Systems, Deltec Solutions, Magna PowerTrain, Shafer Leadership Academy and the City of Muncie were involved in the initial collaboration and are pioneering partners in Xtern Muncie.

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour is eager to lure top tech talent to his Delaware County city.

“As east-central Indiana’s economic growth engine, Muncie needs ongoing access to qualified tech talent, so we are very excited that TechPoint has chosen our community to expand their highly-regarded Xtern program,” he said. “Local employers will gain the services of top tech talent, and the program will draw to our community an exciting group of young professionals, many of whom will discover Muncie for the very first time.”

Key to Muncie’s success will be a partnership with the Innovation Connector and the boots-on-the-ground leadership from Ted Baker, the organization’s executive director.

Merillat said the expansion will start to address a pain point she and her team experience every year.

“We have so many talented, eager and passionate students who want careers in tech,” she said. “We are thrilled to have more organizations taking part and giving these young people a great look at Indiana, and the Indiana tech sector.”

The innovative Xtern program was launched in 2014 to create a life-changing experience that would make the next generation of tech workers rethink or discover Indianapolis as a destination for their career path. Last year, more than 2,000 students from all over the country applied for the program. Over the past seven years, surveys of students entering the program showed that 25% of them said they were considering a career in Indianapolis after graduation, while after the program, 76% of Xterns were interested in staying in the city and accepting job offers.

Assuming the pandemic restrictions are lifted and there are no safety concerns, Indianapolis Xterns will live on the IUPUI campus. Muncie Xterns will live together in a dorm on Ball State University’s campus. When they are not working or soaking up after-hours professional development, the Xterns have plenty of opportunities to explore the area,  learn how to get involved in the community and leave their mark. The two Xtern groups will have opportunities to network and take part in activities together as well.

Mike Butler, CTO at First Merchant’s Bank, encouraged other Muncie businesses to stand ready for a chance to join the program and start cultivating relationships with what could be their next generation of leaders—even if they’re not considered a tech company.

“Banking isn’t a place many people think about as a place to work with technology, but First Merchants has a thriving technology culture, rich with technologies and innovative ideas,” he said. “There are approximately 100 people on our technology teams, ranging in skills such as cyber defense, software development, systems/network engineering, application management, business analysis, data engineering, and many other functions.  We are excited to be part of the Xtern Muncie program and to give back to the community.”

TechPoint CEO Mike Langellier said he was encouraged by the survey results that showed most Xtern prospects were happy to be in the program regardless of where exactly they’d be located.

“That says a lot for Xtern’s reputation but also for Indiana’s growing reputation as a state—not just one city or region—where great tech careers can happen,” he said.

“Indianapolis tends to get most of the hype when it comes to national commentary about the next big tech hub, but there’s exciting tech happening across the state and we want the world to know about every bit of it.”

Original story posted on www.techpoint.org By Cheryl Reed October 27, 2020

‘Why I Entered The BIG Idea Pitch Competition and Why You Should Too.’ A Story by Carter Anderson.

<strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Third Place Winner of the BIG Idea Pitch 2019 Competition, Carter Anderson</span></strong>

I was sitting in my entrepreneurship class at Ball State University when my professor began to tell us about the BIG Idea Pitch competition. She encouraged us to participate in the competition as it would be an excellent opportunity to make connections, practice pitching, and even win a cash prize. As my professor was talking, I began to get nervous about participating. I knew that the BIG Idea Pitch was a great opportunity, but I wondered if I had what it took to participate in the competition without making a fool out of myself. After pondering it for a while, I finally got the courage to take one step forward and sign up for the first training camp.

Fast forward to the training camp, I was able to not only learn about business ideas and how to come up with them, but I was introduced to the Innovation Connector staff. Since I was born and raised in Muncie, I always knew of the Innovation Connector but never got a chance to work with their team. The Innovation Connector staff not only welcomed me but everyone at the training camp with open arms. They suggested that if we need assistance with our business idea or need help developing a pitch, the Innovation Connector staff will meet with us. I took another step forward and scheduled a meeting with their executive director, Ted Baker.

At my first meeting with Ted, he helped me develop an outline for my pitch. I will never forget his words to me in my first meeting after I told him about my business idea. He looked me in the eyes and said, “I’m proud of you for doing this.” After he said that, I thought to myself, “how can someone be proud of me that just met me.” Well, Ted knew the boldness that it took to not only participate in the BIG Idea Pitch but also to ask for help.

The next two weeks leading up to the pitch night, my nerves started to disappear. The more that I practiced my pitch, the more confident I felt about presenting. I reminded myself to have a conversation with the judges about my business rather than a “perfectly written pitch.” When I showed up to the pitch competition, I felt nervous, but they were the kind of nerves that make you excited to present. Once my name was called, I went inside, I made eye contact with the judges, and I had a conversation with them about my business idea.

After my presentation, I stuck around for a while to hear the semi-finalists announced, and sure enough, my name was called. I got chosen to participate in the final competition at the Innovation Connector’s Excellence in Innovation Awards banquet at the Horizon Convention Center. What did this mean for me? It meant that I was in the running to win up to $4,000 by going on stage and having a conversation with people attending that dinner. So, I attended the dinner, pitched my idea, and came away with a 3rd place prize of $2,500 and business services to advance my idea.

Looking back on the experience, there are a couple of things that I learned. The first thing I learned is that pitching isn’t as bad as it seems. Pitching my business has built my confidence and experience tremendously. The second thing I learned is that people are more willing to help you than you think. It is easy to feel as if we don’t have a support system when we’re creating something new, but we’re actually surrounded by hundreds of people that will help us if we ask. Lastly, it is important to expose yourself to new opportunities and events, no matter who you are and what you do. The world is out there, and we have the choice to get up and get it.

You could have the chance to prove the potential of your business idea, meet people who can help you succeed, and even win a cash prize at the BIG Idea Pitch Competition. You can find more information about training camps and how to register your idea by going to www.innovationconnector.com

 

 

The BIG Idea Pitch 2019 Winner – Troy Smith, The Layman Bench

Personal Trainer Troy Smith saw a need to make bicep and tricep training more fun. After doing much research, Smith created an innovative and new fitness machine that allows users to increase the safety and efficacy of free weight training exercises commonly performed within gym facilities worldwide. He named this machine, The Layman Bench.

How did the name ‘The Layman Bench’ come about?

The Layman Bench provides assistance for triceps training comparable to how the Preacher bench does for biceps training. Within the context of a church, preachers preach to the parishioners (or ‘layman.’),

“I wanted to pay homage to the bodybuilding and fitness industry by naming the bench the Layman Bench.” Says Smith. “Layman and preachers are intimately related yet opposites in nature, like how the biceps and the triceps are intimately interconnected opposites in nature. It’s also a play on words since you lie down while performing triceps exercises on the Layman.”

With any new idea, Troy discovered a few struggles with the patent design of his new machine. As production time took longer than anticipated, Smith found it difficult to file the needed patents making the process of getting the bench ready to market rather tricky.

After working out the struggles he found with production and patenting the Layman Bench, Troy became partners with a fabrication shop out of Naperville, Illinois. The final product version of the Layman Bench started the process of field-testing on September 1st, 2020.

After placing fourth in the Innovation Connector’s BIG Idea Pitch Competition, Troy was encouraged to pitch at the Purdue Big Sell pitch competition, where he placed first and won $10,000!

 

You can contact Trainer Troy Smith by email: trainertroysmith@gmail.com

 

The BIG Idea Pitch Competition is open to all age groups in Delaware County and surrounding counties. You can learn more about the BIG Idea Pitch and sign up for the first training camp of the 2020 season by clicking here.

Innovation Connector to Host the Seventh Annual BIG Idea Pitch Competition for Local Entrepreneurs

By Alexis Dishman—

Muncie, IN—The Innovation Connector of Muncie, Indiana, is hosting the seventh annual BIG Idea Pitch competition for local entrepreneurs and innovators to “pitch” their business, business concepts, product or invention to a panel of judges from the business and investment community. There are many very creative and interesting concepts from people in our region, and this competition will showcase those ideas and offer what it takes to advance them. This event is for individuals in all phases of business, including startup or pre-startup. Jr High and High School students, as well as college students, are also encouraged to apply.

The BIG Idea Pitchcompetition is your chance to prove the potential of your business idea, meet people who can help you succeed, and maybe even win a cash prize! Competitors will have just three minutes to pitch before a panel of judges.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Each Training Camp will be held at the Innovation Connector from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. The Final Competition will also be held at the Innovation Connector starting at 6:00 pm. The BIG Idea Pitch Competition Application Forms will be available online Monday, October 19th.

TRAINING CAMPS –

Training Camp #1 – Monday, October 19th

What is the BIG Idea Pitch Competition? How do ideas happen? Forming an idea as a business

or product. What is the problem being solved? What is the opportunity being seized? From ideas to solutions – how to solve problems. Does your solution fully solve the problem/opportunity?

Training Camp #2 – Monday, October 26th

Are there revenue streams and profit potential for this solution? Who else is currently solving the problem? How are others solving this problem? Why is your solution better or different? What value does your solution provide? How do I present and pitch? What is the judging criteria?

FINAL COMPETITION – Monday, November 2nd

This is THE night! All competitors will only have three minutes to pitch in front of a panel of judges. The top five winners will be selected, and the judges will announce the 1st– 5thplace winners of The BIG Idea Pitch 2020 competition.

ADVANCE Cohort – January 2021

All final winners will be awarded a seat in the Innovation Connector’s program cohort – ADVANCE. Each individual will complete this 4-month intensive business development commitment that includes focused one-on-one coaching, consultation with business professionals, access to workshops and events, and so much more. The ADVANCE cohort is a $1,500 value that each winner will be awarded at no cost! More information on ADVANCE can be found by going to www.innovationconnector.com/advance

All competitors will receive invaluable feedback, a fun experience, and valuable exposure to business leaders & potential mentors.  For more details or to make a submission, go to innovationconnector.com and click The BIG Idea Pitch link or contact Alexis Dishman at 765-285-4900.

The BIG Idea Pitch 2020 is presented by the Innovation Connector and made possible by our partners: First Merchant’s Bank, Whitinger Strategic Services, Whitinger & Company, Deltec Solutions, R&R Engineering, Action Technologies Group, and Shafer Leadership Academy.

 

Register for the BIG Idea Pitch Training Camp #1 by Clicking Here

 

Restart and Grow Your Business with a Restart Loan

JUNE 2, 2020

By: Ted Baker—

Muncie, IN—The Muncie Innovation Connector is pleased to announce the launch of the Delaware County Micro-Business Restart Loan Fund.  Independently-owned for-profit businesses located in Delaware County, Indiana with a maximum of five full-time employees may be eligible for a loan up to $2,500 through the Delaware County Micro-Business Restart Loan Fund. This program is presented by the Muncie Innovation Connector and the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center.

Businesses must have been actively in operation with sales in January 2020 to apply. Businesses that received funds from either the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP), Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), or other major relief funding are not eligible. No interest will be paid during the loan terms, however, an administrative fee of 2% of the loan amount is due at loan closing.

Find More Information and the Loan Application at:  www.innovationconnector.com/MBRLF

The Delaware County Micro-Business Restart Loan Fund is made available by The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc.

The Innovation Connector will be glad to answer your questions regarding this loan. Please contact our office at 765-285-4900 and ask about the Restart Loan Program.

Small Business Loans – The City of Muncie

The City of Muncie, under the leadership of Mayor Dan Ridenour, is making available loans to small businesses in Muncie.  These loans, which must be paid back at a very reasonable interest rate, are exclusively for small businesses that might need $1,000 – $7,500 to bridge the cash-flow gap during this COVID-19 crisis.  With starting this fund, Mayor Ridenour commented, “Muncie is dependent on our small businesses.  We need to do what we can to provide resources to help as many as possible.”

Funds are being made through the Muncie Industrial Revolving Loan Fund.  Loan applications will be accepted starting on Monday, May 4th, and applications can be emailed to mayor@cityofmuncie.com.  Applications can be found on the cityofmuncie.com website.

On the homepage, click, DEVELOPMENT.  On that page, scroll down until you see Muncie Industrial Revolving Loan Fund.  Click on this link and then scroll down until you see the link for the application.  It is a fillable pdf form so you can complete it on your computer and email it from there.

Please answer all the questions you can.  This application has not been adapted for this loan process, but it will serve as one for this purpose.  If you have any difficulties or questions concerning the application, please contact Ted Baker at the Innovation Connector for assistance: 765-285-4902 M-F, 8 am-4 pm.

An additional funding opportunity will be announced soon from the Community Development Fund.  More will be posted on that when more details are available.

We are proud of the City of Muncie for including small businesses as a priority during this difficult time!

COVID-19 Business Guide to SBA Resources and Other Resources

The Innovation Connector’s Phase 5 Reopening Plan, 6/29/2020 

 

Other Resources:

 

COVID-19 Business Guide to SBA Resources and Other Resources

By: Ted A. Baker, Innovation Connector, April 9, 2020

In these very uncertain times, there has been information-overload that has flooded our inboxes, airwaves, podcasts, webinars, and most conversations.  As leaders or businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Muncie/Delaware County community, understanding what resources are available for who and how to apply for them, well is just plain overwhelming.

The United States Small Business Administration, as a result of legislation passed by Congress, provides some great resources and opportunities for small businesses, including some non-profit organizations. This document is designed to assist you in navigating through the funding programs that can benefit, and in some cases, save your business or organization.  These programs are for those who make an effort to apply for them.  Each program requires specific actions for you to take.  Please be assured that these documents are not too difficult to complete.  You will be asked for specific financial information that should be readily available in your accounting systems or through your bookkeeper/CPA.

Of all the resources that seek to unpack the SBA programs, the best resource is the SBA itself.  Go to www.sba.gov.  After opening the home page, you will see at the top of the page:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Relief options and Additional Resources

CLICK HERE

This will take you to the next page:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

Scroll down to:

Coronavirus Funding Options

Click here to learn more about available SBA loan and debt relief options

Click on this, and you will find a breakdown of all of the programs that are available from the SBA.  There are three (3) programs that are more applicable for your non-profit organization as a result of the much-acclaimed CARES Act.

 

  1. Paycheck Protection Program – This is a payroll-focused loan program that can provide up to 2.5 times the average monthly amount of your last 12-months payroll. This application is easy to complete but read the instructions first to learn what information and data you will need.  This is the program that everyone is talking about because it has provisions that could allow the loan amount to be “forgiven.”  Please remember that this initially is a loan, and this program is administered through your local SBA-approved bank. Note: Non-profit leaders may want to discuss this with their board of   Bylaws of some non-profit organizations require board approval for Executive Directors to borrow money for their organization.

Again, please work through your local banks for application processing.  Different banks may have different policies and may require certain information. Banks are overwhelmed with applications, so it is imperative that you connect with your local banker.

  1. Economic Injury Disaster – The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) provides vital economic support to non-profit organizations to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advance of up to $10,000. There are recent updates to this provision so that amount may change. This advance will provide economic relief to businesses and organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available following a successful application. This loan advance may not have to be repaid. Part of this loan program allows businesses and organizations to borrow up to $2 million.  Per an SBA representative, once your application is submitted, an SBA loan officer will contact the applicant via email and by phone within 1-2 weeks.  At that time, the SBA loan officer will review your application and determine the amount your organization can borrow.  The interest rate for non-profit organizations is set at 2.75%, and payback, depending on loan circumstances, can be paid back in up to 30-years.
  2. SBA Express Bridge Loans – Express Bridge Loan Pilot Programallows non-profit organizations who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. These loans can provide vital economic support to your organization to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loan or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan. If your organization has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, it may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan.

Applications and Instructions can be found at each of the SBA website locations – The SBA website regularly posts all recent updates and changes to the program.

Please remember that you are not alone on this journey.  Please seek the assistance of your board members if possible or other resources within your organization pr business.  There are also resources available from within the Muncie/Delaware County community that can help you.  The two organizations listed below offer free direct services to assist you.  Please know that they are not CPAs or Attorneys, but they are very knowledgeable and willing to answer your questions and help you.  Please feel free to contact:

Muncie Innovation Connector

Ted Baker, Executive Director
Contact information:  Office phone: 765-285-4902, After hours contact: 765-744-6956,

Contact email:  tbaker@innovationconnector.com

The Innovation Connector can provide other opportunities for funding if the SBA funding does not suit your organization or business.  Please contact Ted for for information.

 

East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBA funded organization)

Peggy Cenova, Regional Director

Contact information: Office phone: 765.282.9950, M-F, 8 am – 5 pm, or by appointment. After hours contact, 317-439-0104, or visit our website, isbdc.org – Contact email: pcenova@isbdc.org

The Innovation Connector is available and ready to assist small businesses in East Central Indiana during this crisis.

Small businesses in East-Central Indiana are struggling like most parts of our world. Our communities depend on the health of small businesses.  In these times, money from the federal/state governments may not be enough to help them survive. The Innovation Connector is uniquely positioned to provide business support services such as coaching, advising, revising business models to pivot in these trying times, rethink marketing decisions, expanding customer base, understanding cash flow, and sometimes just to talk to someone who understands the plight of small business.

We can assist with helping and directing small businesses through the SBA CARES Act and other programs for survival funding. This includes the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) and Bankable’s Quick Bridge Loan Program.  We can also be a “connector” to other community services and programs. Let us help you and your business today.

Call our office at 765-285-4902 or tbaker@innovationconnector.com to arrange a FREE on-line, appointment with one of our dedicated staff members.