Testimonials of past winners

• “No matter how well you might know your idea or your business plan, the IDEA competition process really helps you flush out all the little details that you may have overlooked. We really understood the value of the process from last year and that was one of the major reasons that we entered this year’s competition. It feels great to be a two time IDEA winner but it’s even better knowing that we have given our newest product the highest possible chance for success.”
  Jason LaValley, LaValley Industries (Bemidji)

• “Working through the stages of the IDEA competition was a great boost to the development of Craft Night Out. With each round of the competition we were able to focus our plans and gain valuable feedback from the judges. If we had not started this process our business plan would not be as complete and market ready as we are now. We are so excited to have won the cash award, but we are even more anxious to work with the experienced business professionals and to access the business development resources throughout the next year."
  Kristine Goddard-Anderson, Craft Night Out (Thief River Falls)

• “The IDEA competition has given us additional exposure to the market. Regardless of if we won or not, the experience of doing the business plan and thinking through the details got us on the right track. When we find ourselves getting too close to the product, it is helpful to get an outside perspective to question what we may be missing. The technical assistance is invaluable.”
  Fred Hartmann, Turn@bout (Thief River Falls)

• "Every business that starts should have to go through the business planning process that is required in the IDEA competition. The professional advice from the judging panel and additional technical assistance forces you to sharpen your skills to see the big picture and look at every detail.  Not to mention, winning the $10,000 was a big help! The whole process is awesome!”
  Jeff Sullivan, EquipAll GrappleHoe (Bemidji)

• "Being a contestant in the IDEA Competition was like working on a 'mini-MBA.' It was a very practical learning experience."
  Nancy Fisher, Highway My Way (Warroad)

• "The guidance and advice I received from the committee, advisers and judges will be very helpful on my journey to the marketplace."
  Tim Sargent, Trophy Head Shot (Ada)

• "The exposure we received as a winner of the IDEA Competition, on television and in print, has increased awareness of our product and services."
  Sue Westrum, Insect Inferno (Leonard)

• “When I joined the IDEA competition and won the award in 2010, I did not realize all the concepts that I still needed to fully grasp in order to be a successful business owner. Throughout the ensuing year, my skill set has grown, allowing me to feel more comfortable becoming the leader I want to be. The new contacts and networking have opened doors and helped me learn from others. I now realize that although you may have the best new product idea in the world, you need the right team of people surrounding you to develop and execute the plan. The education and self awareness piece of the competition has done more to help me than any level of sales could ever do!”
  Scott Gustafson, MacAttach (McIntosh)

• "The exposure my business has received from the IDEA Competition has been incredible. This competition is a great way to increase awareness of your products, add credibility to your business and facilitate cooperation from other business professionals to help build your business bigger and better."
  Eric Thorsgard, Forte Keyboard (Bemidji)

• "Not only did the IDEA Competition give me the funds to buy the tools I needed, it provided me with the opportunity to meet face-to-face with people who could dramatically influence my business. I was able to make a bigger impression where it counted."
  David Ekstrom, Start Stick (Bemidji)

• "This competition forced me to think about big- and small-picture strategies for improving myg business plan and bringing my product to market. I like to think that the competition provided me with an easy-to-follow- roadmap on how to develop and launch my product successfully."
  Todd Ham, IceHogger Industries (Bagley)

• "The IDEA group genuinely wants you to succeed, and they're willing to help you any way they can. The valuable marketing advice, effective business strategies, and prize money we received breathed new life into our business."
  Don Zejdlik, Xtreme DnA (East Grand Forks)
  EquipAll GrappleHoe
  

Learn more about our past winners...