* * * Submissions are now closed * * *
Are you a Chicago-based entrepreneur between the ages of 21-40? Do you have a business idea, prototype or half-baked strategy that you need help with? Do you watch ABC’s “Shark Tank” and think to yourself, “Wow, I am a lot smarter than these people”?
We got the contest for you: the RedEye Big Idea Awards are back.
On Oct. 13 at Ravenswood Event Center, we’ll crown winners with new business ideas in four categories.
Categories:
Food & Drink
Arts & Design
Technology
Community Development & Civic Involvement
Winners receive awards including a $1,000 cash prize, ads in RedEye’s print edition and a one-year small business membership to the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce plus a gift certificate to apply toward event registration, to help get your idea to that next level.
And you’ll do a victory tour onstage at the Big Idea Awards, which drew nearly 350 guests last year. Check out the winners’ ideas from last year.
We have created this process to turn your big idea into a reality. So don’t wait. Submit your big idea in one of the four specific categories here.
Submissions will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. CT on Sept. 21.
On Sept. 26, finalists will officially be announced to the public. If you’re a finalist, you’ll be headed to the finals at Ravenswood Event Center to pitch your big idea to the public (in person) with one goal in mind: Tally the most votes from attendees in your category.
The event will feature meet-and-greets with each finalist, beverages, appetizers and more.
Submit your idea to us today. Who knows? In less than two months, you could be hoisting the trophy on stage at The Big Idea Awards.
Full rules can be found here. (Don’t be lazy, actually read them. They have lots of important info you need to know.)
Buy tickets to The Big Idea Awards here.
