Innovation Challenge now open for entries, offering cash prizes

Aspiring entrepreneurs looking to pitch the next big thing once again have the chance to earn cash prizes at Trine University's annual Innovation Challenge, sponsored by Farmers State Bank.

Registration is now open to area high school students, college students and community members with new business and technology ideas.

Presented by Trine innovation 1, the Challenge offers top prizes of $1,000 and second prizes of $500 prizes for the top new ideas or improved concepts for business or technology presented by high school students.

College students and community members compete for top prizes of $1,500 and second prizes of $750.

High school students must submit projects by Jan. 10 to be considered for the high school pitch competition on Jan. 24.

College students and community members must submit projects by Feb. 7 for the College/Community Challenge on Feb. 21.

Finalists will present their projects to a panel of judges in a format similar to popular television pitch shows.

Entries in the business category should focus on a new business idea or service. For the technology innovation category, participants are encouraged to think about technological inventions or advances.

There is no entry fee. Registration is available at trine.edu/i1challenge.

For more information, email Jason Blume, assistant vice president of Innovation One, at blumej@trine.edu or visit innovation1.org and click on the i1 Challenge link in the navigation menu.

About Farmers State Bank  

Founded in 1915 in Stroh, Indiana, Farmers State Bank is one of northeast Indiana’s leading financial institutions and the Home of Blue Button Banking. With corporate headquarters in LaGrange, Indiana, Farmers State Bank has been providing banking and financial services to both consumers and businesses for over 100 years. To learn more, visit GoFSB.com.