Ten finalists have been chosen to compete in Purdue University Northwest's 13th annual Big Sell competition April 27.
The finalists will compete in the pitch competition for up to $10,000 in prize money.
Student Landin Ready had to recuse himself from the judging, because he decided to enter the contest. He is a student in AJ Moran's social entrepreneurship class. While his pitch of a robotic lawn mower did not make the top 10, he said the experience was invaluable.
“It was exciting to see all the other ventures, and I look forward to seeing who the judges select for the grand prize,” Landin said. “Soaking up the whole experience has taught me about selling myself in a business setting.”
The 10 finalists in the PNW Big Sell are:
- Ben Bombin: Eco Casting
- Joe Hunt: Tauro
- Nabiel Rabie: Scent Seal
- Aaron Farrer: The A.N.T./Practical Products
- Jonathan Rose: Modmath for Students Inc.
- Roman Carprue: ROMURI Co.
- Danielle Cruz-Lopez: Sepsis Slayers
- Emily Edwards: Paradise TM
- Adrian Alvarez: Chug
- Michael Kolavo: Vilite Company
Judges will decide the top three winners during the event from 1 to 4 p.m. April 27 at the PNW Commercialization and Manufacturing Excellence Center, 7150 Indianapolis Blvd., Hammond. First place will receive $10,000 in prize money, second place $3,000 and third $1,000.
The judges will be: Vincent James Arcuri, a casting director and producer; Alex Wisniewski, co-founder and CEO of Cultivation Connect; Max Moses, retired C-level executive; and John Fountain, a professor of journalism at Roosevelt University, which has a campus in Lake County.
Also, watch the competition on WJOB JEDTV here.
