Recent Program Features

On the event day, teams will pitch their ideas in front of the judges and a live audience. The audience will vote for the People's Choice award, and the winners will be announced. 

Our team of final judges includes experienced business people from a variety of backgrounds. 

Awards

1^st Place & Minnesota Cup automatic semi-finalist

2^nd Place

3^rd Place

People’s Choice (live audience voting during the live pitch event)

• Winners pledge if they are students, to remain in college until graduation or for one year after receipt of the prize funds. All winners agree to participate in the Big Ideas Kick-off, judging, or Challenge event the following year. 

By submitting your application to Big Ideas, you agree to participate in the Minnesota Cup the following October, if you are selected as the overall winner. 

Learn more

2017 Finalists (H5)

Hub:

Lauren Kramer, Katie Lloyd, Anthony Rathammer, Caleb Johnson and Ryan Hoehn

Where are they now? The Hub was built and opened by Dain Fisher in April, 2018 next to the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship based on the work done by this student team. Based on the team’s recommendations, it was opened as a Food Truck court and park.

Messy Dog:

Alex Oldenburg

Where are they now? Messy Dog operated as a dog training and grooming business in Old Town in Mankato in 2018 and 2019. As of fall of 2020, she is operating Messy Dog full-time in Cedar Falls, IA. Learn more

Primate Longboards:

Jackson Jones

Winner of Best Plan and People’s Choice by Primate Longboards

Where are they now? Primate Longboards was sold and Jackson continues to create with wood. His current business, Fingrprint, produces custom signs and other commercial products. Wooden Spoon, a Mankato bakery, and UNRL, a clothing company founded by a Minnesota State University Mankato student, are both clients.

Webytor:

Shahari Chowdhury and Connor Martin

Where are they now? Webytor provides website services to businesses in Mankato, MN and Bangladesh. The Hub food truck park and Mogwai Collaborative use their services. They are housed in the Hubbard Office Building.

ProtoTec Solutions:

John Ruprecht

Where are they now? Prototech rebranded as Cubic 3D in 2018. They sell 3d printer filament, lease and service 3d printers to local companies and also do production and prototyping 3d printing. They are housed in the Mogwai Collaborative within the Hubbard Office Building.

John joined the faculty of the Engineering Dept at Minnesota State University, Mankato teaching Parametric Modeling, Statics and Project and Value Management.