“The Hot Seat,” “Nike Cleanse,” and “Delicate and Sweet Bakery,” are the three winners of the Bluffton Center for Entrepreneur’s Big Idea Contest, according to Denise Durenberger, BCE director and assistant professor of business at Bluffton University.

The winners represent entries in the Bluffton University Division of the contest.
• First place, Robert Beaver, with “The Hot Seat,” $250 prize
• Second place, Maggie Armstrong, with “Nike Cleanse, “$100 prize
• Third place, Jane Virdin, with “Delicate and Sweet Bakery, $25 prize plus $25 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce gift certificate

“Entries were judged on uniqueness, potential for commercialization and long-term viability in the marketplace,” said Durenberger.

Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition next
BCE’s next contest is first-ever Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition.

First place prize is $5,000 in business start-up costs and a one-year BCE client program membership. Second place is $1,000 in start-up costs and a one-year BCE client program membership. Third place is a one-year BCE client program membership.

Bluffton University, DTR Industries, Mustard Seed Cafe, Reichenbach and Steiner CPA's and WLIO TV, Lima, are the major sponsors of the competition.

Additional support is from Allen Economic Development Group, Bluffton Icon, Citizens National Bank, First National Bank, Samuel W. Diller and Mitchell Kingsley, attorneys at law, and Sielschott, Walsh, Keifer and Regula CPA’s.

This is BCE’s third business plan competition. This year the name was changed to recognize the late Ropp Triplett, long-time Bluffton industrial leader and entrepreneur.

“The contest is open to start-up businesses and emerging businesses that are less than three years old. The competition teaches entrepreneurs to write a business plan that will help them improve their existing business or to successfully start a new one,” said Denise Durenberger, BCE executive director.

Kathy Keller, director, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Lima, instructs all seminars. Each takes place at Bluffton University from 6 to 8 p.m. on the following evenings:

April 3: “So You Want to be an Entrepreneur” (fees and applications are due)
April 8: “Planning to Start a Business
April 15: “Developing Your Business Idea
April 24: “Testing Your Business Idea and Getting it to Market” 
May 1: “Accounting for Your Business” (time to be announced)
May 8: “Final Pitch Dress Rehearsal (business plan due, time to be announced)
May 11: Final pitches, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How to enter
To enter the competition, contestants must complete an entry form and submit a $150 application fee. The fee for college student to enter is $75. The deadline to enter the contest is April 3.

About BCE
The Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs is a not-for-profit business incubator offering support services and professional guidance to entrepreneurs and small businesses in Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam counties. BCE clients receive customized mentoring, networking opportunities and access to developmental resources including Bluffton University faculty, student interns and affordable office space.