The Idea Challenge: Finalists Announced for the 2017 Idea Challenge Contest

Main Contact: Christina Wasson

Phone: (715) 834-0070

 
 

The five Idea Challenge finalists that will be competing for the 2017 Grand Prize have been announced. The five finalists will present next week for the $5000 Grand Prize that is reimbursable for business expenses. These five finalists – in alphabetical order – are as follows:  

  • College Admissions Planning Calendar by Lessa Scherrer is part calendar and part college admissions guide that will help make the college admissions process simple for you and your child.   
     

  • GIF Skin by Adam Shilts is the world’s first self-powered, wireless, and customizable digital sticker. 
     

  • Ketch by CeCe Ketcham is a modern lifestyle luggage line designed for the busy CEOs and professionals for business and fitness. It’s a multi-functional luxurious, timeless bag with 35 features unlike any other luggage in the open market and focused around the technology and active lifestyle.

 
  • Kid’s Hand Buddy by Traci Lashley is a fun and interactive way to hold hands. An interesting product to keep your child safe and close by you.

 
  • Three Foodies LLC, a partnership among Michelle Lien, Amanda Olson and Nick White, will be offering a food and history tour of downtown Eau Claire. The Eau Claire Food & History tour is a walking tour that will stop at several different restaurants/establishments providing a tasting at each stop while also providing a look into downtown Eau Claire’s rich history. The tour will be professionally guided so it’s the perfect blend of culture, food and fun.

This year saw an increase of applications submitted to the Idea Challenge making the– as Christina Wasson, Project and Marketing Manager of the Eau Claire Area EDC, explains:  

“We experienced an increase in applications that covered a variety of innovative ideas for products and services over the past year. While Idea Challenge Partners could only choose 5 ideas to make it to the finals, the Eau Claire Area EDC continues to work directly with all the applications that have market viability to assist them in advancing their ideas.”

The Idea Challenge is a contest open to any individual or company with an idea for a new product or service. Ideas submitted to The Idea Challenge by individuals and companies are reviewed by a group of technical assistance providers, called The Idea Challenge Partners, to help determine if it is a feasible concept. Any idea that has potential will be given individual attention to help advance it to the marketplace.

The top five ideas submitted are eligible to win money and additional business support. These awards are made possible through a generous sponsorship by Northwestern Bank. All ideas remain property of the applicant, unless otherwise agreed upon by all parties. The EDC accepts applications for The Idea Challenge year round and is currently accepting applications for 2018. Apply online now at theideachallenge.com