IDEA Competition Announces 2014 Finalists

BEMIDJI MN – February 28, 2014 – The IDEA Competition has released the names of its 2014 finalists who will now move into the final phase of the competition:

• Addy-Olly, LLC - Cynthia J. Krankkala, Thief River Falls

• Berd’s Innovations, LLC – Coreen Berdahl, Red Lake Falls

• CR Data Solutions – Robert Cloose, Bagley

• Lamplighter Hockey, LLC – Tim Slukynsky, Warroad

• Scratch My Aspen – Marina Lovell, Laporte

• Skyrocker Telescope – Donald Miller, Roseau

• Szurpicki Lawn Services LLC - John Szurpicki, Bemidji

This year’s winners will be selected by a judging panel comprised of members from three area equity funds, bankers, successful entrepreneurs, and business development professionals. The panel will choose up to three winners who will each receive $10,000 to advance their business idea, plus additional technical assistance. Winners will be announced at the IDEA Competition Awards Banquet to be held April 24, from 5:00-8:30 p.m.at the Sanford Event Center in Bemidji. For more information on the IDEA Competition Awards Banquet or to register, go to http://www.ideacompetition.org.

IDEA assists the most 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. For more on IDEA, go to http://www.ideacompetition.org.

IDEA sponsors are: 360° Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence, Arvig, Border State Bank, Bremer Bank Crookston and Warren, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Minnkota Power Cooperative Inc., NID Inc., Northwest Regional Development Commission, Northwest Regional Small Business Development Center, Ultima Bank Minnesota, University of Minnesota Crookston, and Wells Fargo.