The Finals of Bradley's Big Idea Competition

April 17, 2019

The final round of the Turner School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation's 2nd annual Big Idea Competition has $20,000 up for grabs. The goal is to foster the innovation and ingenuity of Bradley's students and to help them bring their ideas to life.

The Big Idea contest started with 37 ideas. The first round (completed) required students to develop a business idea. In the second round (completed), 25 competitors gave an elevator pitch to judges and set up a trade show booth to explain and promote their idea. The final round of judging will take place on Tuesday, April 23, when the six finalists will write a complete business plan with financial projections for the first three years and give a 10-minute presentation to the judges.

The finalists are:

  • BAGG: A product that prevents extra long items in the back of trucks from sliding out.
  • Dyme: An online clothing rental business that allows the user to make money on clothing that is just hanging in their closet.
  • Postal Patrol: A product that eliminates theft of packages delivered to homes/apartments by providing a secure box large enough to hold packages.
  • Pup Date: A social media oriented app that allows dog owners to find play friends for their pets.
  • The Locals: A service that provides local guides for travelers to assure they receive a rich, cultural travel experience.
  • WHIP: An app for college students that acts similar to Uber, but where students can make money and student passengers can know their driver instead of getting into a vehicle with a stranger.

Ken Klotz, Managing Director of the Turner School, says a program like this gives students, who always have ideas, a way to develop them and practice entrepreneurship in real life. "It's not a business plan contest. It's about developing a skillset and aptitudes that might be harder to develop in a classroom setting. The Big Idea competition is a hands-on, all-encompassing competition requiring them to push themselves and devote themselves to their ideas." He says the amount of prize money might also be enough to launch their idea or accomplish a major milestone.

This is the most interdisciplinary program happening at Bradley. Every college on campus is represented and several different majors are too. Students are collaborating in the spirit of convergence to make their ideas come to life.

There will be a cash prize for the winners. 1st: $8,000; 2nd: $5,000; 3rd: $2,000; plus smaller specialty awards.