By Austin Arnold, Icon BGSU intern
This fall, a Big Idea Contest sponsored by the Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (BCE) encouraged development of creative and unique ideas from area entrepreneurs.

Ideas ranging from senior citizen-friendly home design to a robotic ice cream maker sprung from the minds of persons in northwestern Ohio, which were entered into BCE's contest. The contest winners now have more than just an idea; they have a little extra money, as well, as a plan to possibly start their own businesses some day, thanks to BCE.

BCE Executive Director John Bauer explained the purpose of the Big Idea Contest this way: "The concept behind the contest was to identify and encourage ideas that people had been keeping to themselves and then recognize the ones with most merit and implement them."

Fourteen contestants entered The Big Idea Contest and four were picked as winners for their outstanding ideas.

The winning ideas were divided into first place, with a $1,000 prize, second place with a $500 prize, and a tie for third place with each contestant receiving $250. The winners were chosen based on their ideas' matching three judging criteria:

1. originality and uniqueness
2. potential for actual commercialization
3. and long term viability in the marketplace.

First place winner was Mary Maas of Pandora, with her concept of using interior design to help elderly and aging people remain in there homes for as long as possible. Bauer said that Maas was chosen as the first place winner because of her idea's ability to meet the key criteria the judges were looking for.

"Mary stood out because she has a background as a registered nurse and with her knowledge of interior design, which is what her concept is all about," Bauer said. "And the rising demand of senior citizens and those of the Baby Boomer generation wanting to stay in their actual homes rather than nursing homes was a big plus for this idea as well."

Maas said she is ready to hit the ground running with her business idea and BCE has helped her get to that stage.

"I'm happy that BCE offered the contest. Winning $1,000 which is a big boost, a free one year membership to the Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and meeting with John once a month to help market, all has been wonderful," she said.

The other winners are Russell Dunmire of Findlay, second place, with his idea of a medical patient ombudsman by efficiently filling out Medicaid and insurance forms.

Third place was spilt between Keith Verhoff of Mt. Cory, and Jonathan Rankin of Ada. Verhoff came up with what he calls the "Bermroller," which is a piece of equipment for road repair that fits on to the back of a tractor and packs down the berm of a road while easily adjusting to the roads slope.

Rankin's idea was a concept of a robotic ice cream maker, which automatically makes your ice cream dish after you select what you desire on it.

Contest judges included area university business faculty: Paul Sears, University of Findlay, Dan Ferguson, Ohio Northern University, and George Lehman, Bluffton University.

The Big Idea Contest was a collaborate effort through several small business incubators in northwest Ohio including Lima and Van Wert incubators, BCE, Bowling Green incubator and RPG of Toledo. AEP of Ohio was a major sponsor, providing the $2,500 prize money.

BCE's next event is a business plan contest in the spring, similar to the one conducted last year, according to Bauer.

BCE is located at 505 E. Jefferson St., Bluffton. To view its website click here.

BCE's Vision Create 300 new jobs in the next 10 years

BCE's Mission The mission of the Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (BCE) is to provide resources - financial, intellectual, and technological - in partnership with local educators and business leaders that will facilitate and nurture growth of new and developing enterprises. Moreover, the center will ultimately enhance the greater Bluffton area, not only through job growth, but also by being a visible and sustainable sponsor and promoter of innovation that will continuously attract new entrepreneurs to the area.

BCE Board of Directors