Le Mars, Iowa — Two related contests for Iowa entrepreneurs and their ideas are coming up. One of them is this Thursday night, March 31st.
The main contest, called “Dream Big Grow Here” was supposed to happen in May at the statewide EntreFEST. However, EntreFest was cancelled. Organizers said EntreFEST had run into many unexpected changes and production delays over the past several months. The event was in the middle of transitioning from being run by the three state universities, to one being run by the state’s economic development community. They hope to bring it back in 2017.
However, even though EntreFEST is not going to happen this year, the statewide “Dream Big Grow Here” contest WILL still happen. In fact, it’s been moved up to April 14th, in Des Moines, at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. Two businesses from our area are among several statewide that will have a chance to make their pitch for a $10,000 grand prize. They are Van Shrimp of Rock Valley and American Hero Clothing of Larchwood.
Seventeen entrepreneurs from northwest Iowa entered the statewide contest. All of those are also entered in a separate regional contest called, “Iowa’s West Coast Dream Big Grow Here Regional Contest.” That pitch-off event is this Thursday, March 31st, 2016 at 5 PM at the Willow Creek Golf Course in Le Mars. At that event, the six finalists will present their dream to start or expand a business. Three of those six are from our area. They are Van Shrimp and American Hero Clothing, as well as Simply Jade Boutique from Sioux Center.
The event is free and open to the public.
