As a young entrepreneur, what business would you start in your world to make it a better place to live? Think about problems you hear about in today’s news or problems that you personally experience. What business can you create to solve those problems? How can you use technology to solve those problems? Put your best business idea forward and compete for cash prizes and scholarships in the BIG Idea Competition – around $35,000 to be awarded!

This competition, launched in 2007, was created through the collaborative efforts of many organizations in South Dakota. This competition is about exposing youth to new ideas and innovation in the hopes that you will view entrepreneurship as an option for your future. Rather than leaving the region to look for a job, you can have the confidence to create your own opportunities close to home and know that there is support for you should you choose to do so. Homegrown businesses are key to the success of our rural communities.

To promote entrepreneurship, spur creative thinking, and encourage students to start a business.  

• A business idea competition for high school students
• A 1,075-word description of a business idea
• An optional Marketing Design competition which includes an ad for their idea
• An opportunity to learn about business concepts and entrepreneurship
• A chance to win a share of nearly $35,000 in cash and scholarships

Further opportunities include the ability to compete in Marketing Design, Wellness, Agriculture Innovations, and Hometown Business Categories.

Website: https://bigideasd.com/

Managing Organization:

Contact:
Kelly Weaver
605-698-7654 Ext. 144

Eligibility:
Any high school student currently enrolled in a US public, private or home school may submit a business idea entry. Ideas may also be submitted by a team of students (up to three students per team). A student (individually or as part of a team) may create as many entries as they wish as long as each business idea is different.

Registration Opens: September 1, 2022

Registration Closes: November 1, 2022

As a young entrepreneur, what business would you start in your world to make it a better place to live? Think about problems you hear about in today’s news or problems that you personally experience. What business can you create to solve those problems? How can you use technology to solve those problems? Put your best business idea forward and compete for cash prizes and scholarships in the BIG Idea Competition – around $35,000 to be awarded!

This competition, launched in 2007, was created through the collaborative efforts of many organizations in South Dakota. This competition is about exposing youth to new ideas and innovation in the hopes that you will view entrepreneurship as an option for your future. Rather than leaving the region to look for a job, you can have the confidence to create your own opportunities close to home and know that there is support for you should you choose to do so. Homegrown businesses are key to the success of our rural communities.

To promote entrepreneurship, spur creative thinking, and encourage students to start a business.  

• A business idea competition for high school students
• A 1,075-word description of a business idea
• An optional Marketing Design competition which includes an ad for their idea
• An opportunity to learn about business concepts and entrepreneurship
• A chance to win a share of nearly $35,000 in cash and scholarships

Further opportunities include the ability to compete in Marketing Design, Wellness, Agriculture Innovations, and Hometown Business Categories.

Website: https://bigideasd.com/

Managing Organization:

Contact:
Kelly Weaver
605-698-7654 Ext. 144

Entry Fee:

Eligibility:
Any high school student currently enrolled in a US public, private or home school may submit a business idea entry. Ideas may also be submitted by a team of students (up to three students per team). A student (individually or as part of a team) may create as many entries as they wish as long as each business idea is different.

Registration Opens: September 1, 2022

Registration Closes: November 1, 2022