If your company makes something you think is really cool and you’re not afraid of a little – or a lot of – competition, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce is calling on you for its second Coolest Thing Made in Indiana competition.
Earlier this year, the inaugural event quickly became one of the biggest contests of its kind in the U.S. With Indiana’s strong manufacturing backbone and history of innovation, it was no surprise that there were 65 contestants.
The deadline for this year’s competition is Oct. 20, and there is no entry fee.
To enter the Coolest Thing Made in Indiana contest, companies must fill out a brief application at www.indianachamber.com/coolest.
To participate, a company does not need to be headquartered in Indiana, but the product entered must be manufactured in the state. Companies are limited to having one product nominated. The competition – and voting – kicks off October 24.
The Hoosier Hysteria-style, single-elimination online tournament is open to all types of makers and both veteran manufacturers and budding entrepreneurs. While manufacturers and food makers made up the bulk of last year’s entries, creators of digital products also are welcome.
“The innovation itself certainly plays a key role in who moves on to the next round,” says Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “But the employers that engage their workers, social media and local partners in the process can help spur their company to victory.”
Janus Motorcycles of Goshen took top honors in the inaugural tournament with Valparaiso’s Hoosier Bat Company coming in second.
Newtown-based Old 55 Distillery with its bottled-in-bond 100% sweet corn bourbon and Granger-based Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions mobile pet grooming salons and veterinary clinics rounded out last year’s final four.
“We’re eager to showcase more Indiana companies and to emphasize such an important business sector,” Brinegar says. “We are now partnering the results of the Coolest Thing Made in Indiana competition with our new Indiana Best Places to Work in Manufacturing program for one celebration lunch to honor the state’s top innovators.”
The awards for the top finishers will be presented at the 2022 Best IN Manufacturing Awards Luncheon on December 14.
The winning company will receive a feature article in the Indiana Chamber’s statewide BizVoice® magazine and an invitation to appear on the IN Chamber podcast.
All entrants making the tournament field will receive a competitor’s badge to put on their web site and social media accounts. Special badges also will be awarded to entrants as they qualify for each additional round of the tournament to commemorate their accomplishment and rally their legions of voting fans.
The Coolest Thing Made in Indiana and Indiana Best Places to Work in Manufacturing programs are supported by spirit sponsor Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Purdue MEP); gold sponsor Gibson; and silver sponsors Insperity, Nucor Steel Indiana, SMC Corporation of America and The Horton Group.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Tim Brewer at tbrewer@indianachamber.com or (317) 264-6857.
Anthony Schoettle is the director of communications for the Indiana Chamber. He started with the Chamber in 2021 after a long career in journalism. He’s won multiple awards for his storytelling ability on a wide range of business topics.
