BEMIDJI, MN – April 26, 2012 – The IDEA Competition announced the names of five 2012 winners on Wednesday, April 25th at the IDEA awards banquet held at the Sanford Center, Bemidji. Each winner receives $10,000 in cash to advance their business idea, plus additional specialized technical assistance.
The 2012 Winners are:
* Jay Fisher & James Marvin, Warroad, for Eleven Hockey -- Hockey stick manufacturer in Warroad that offers custom, unique, and historical hockey stick products.
* Mark Landes & Jennifer DeBarr, Bemidji, for Shield Snip -- Innovative hand tool to simplify the process of trimming STP and coaxial shield quickly and precisely.
* William & Julia Stephani, Puposky, for Slot Rail Fence -- Revolutionary way to construct a stronger and more-appealing wooden rail fence that is easier for DIYs to build than what is currently offered in the market.
* Brady & Jodi Dyrdahl, Shevlin, for The Sidekick -- Snowmobile work stand that stabilizes the sled, making it easier to perform repairs and enhancements underneath the snowmobile.
* Jeff Sullivan, Bemidji, for Varimax Evaporator -- Precision evaporative technology for environmentally responsible and cost effective disposal of surplus industrial and agricultural waste water.
The main goal of the IDEA competition is to assist promising local entrepreneurs in the commercialization of innovative products, processes and deliveries by connecting them to the best resources available, along with access to the capital it takes to launch a successful venture.
The IDEA Hall of Fame added William S. “Bill” Marvin, founder of Marvin Windows and Doors in Warroad. The IDEA Hall of Fame was established to recognize the accomplishments of the region’s legacy innovators—those within the region who have inspired others with their entrepreneurial vision, leadership and achievement.
In the previous three years, 13 innovators from throughout northwestern Minnesota have received IDEA awards. Their combined economic impact includes:
· Ten winners reaching commercialization
· Total sales $4.3 million
· Creation of 23 jobs and estimate the creation of at least 50 more jobs
· 13 loans have been approved
The next IDEA competition opens in September, 2012. Northwest Minnesota innovators are encouraged to consider entering the next round of competition. For more information, visit the IDEA website: www.ideacompetition.org.
IDEA sponsors are Bremer Bank, Crookston and Warren, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, 360◦ Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence, Headwaters Regional Development Commission, Northwest Regional Development Commission, and University of Minnesota, Crookston. Additional partners include Ingenuity Frontier, Bemidji State University, Enterprise Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and Northland Community and Technical College. IDEA was made possible through a generous grant from the Blandin Foundation.
