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

November 13, 2020 – Muncie, IN – On Monday, November 2^nd 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:

1^st Place: Kai and Lindsey Markelz – Froggles

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

3^rd Place: Teah Mirabelli – Magnetic Nails

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

5^th 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.