Big Idea Buffalo County, (Development Council for Buffalo County, Courtesy)
KEARNEY — A local tradition of bold thinking and community-building is stepping into a new era.
The long-running Big Idea Kearney pitch competition has officially rebranded as Big Idea Buffalo County, expanding its reach and deepening its commitment to supporting innovators across the region.
As part of this evolution, the program now includes two distinct tracks:
• Big Idea Buffalo County: an open competition for residents, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from across the county.
• Big Idea UNK: a dedicated event tailored specifically to UNK students, offering campus-centered support and pitch opportunities.
Why the Change?
Since launching in 2011, Big Idea Kearney has served as a platform for students and community members to pitch new ideas and win funding to bring them to life. With over a decade of momentum and new partners—Nest:Space™, Central Community College, and Business Integrations™—the event is now growing into a more inclusive, multi-platform initiative.
“Big Idea Kearney was always open to UNK students, Kearney-area residents, and even high school students for a period,” said Sara Bennett, Director at the UNK Center for Entrepreneurship. “The creation of Big Idea Buffalo County opens up new possibilities, connections, and resources that meet the needs of innovators throughout the region. At the same time, UNK students benefit from a version of the program that’s built around their schedules, goals, and campus life.”
A Fresh Look and Bigger Stage
To match its expanded scope, the competition now features a bold new visual identity. “The stylized buffalo head integrated with a glowing lightbulb symbolizes bold thinking and entrepreneurial energy rooted in the strength of the Buffalo County community,” said Brook Pierce, VP of Creative & Internal Marketing Operations at SCORR Marketing.
2025 Event Dates
• Big Idea Buffalo County: Wednesday, October 22, at the historic World Theater in downtown Kearney. Finalists will pitch live, Shark Tank-style, for up to $5000 in funding, mentorship, workspace, and launch support.
• Big Idea UNK: Wednesday, November 5, held on the UNK campus and focused exclusively on student-led ventures.
Notable Past Winners of Big Idea Kearney Include:
• Becky Holden, Kaizen Design (hospital space planning software)
• Alexis Bernthal, Physpeak, now TheraText (medical speech-to-text tool)
• Dusty Birge, SiMPOLE, now Fast Forward (thermal inspection tech for electrical grids)
• Dave Lerbakken, Guitar in a Bar (social music classes for adults)
Get Involved
• UNK students: visit unk.edu/bigidea
• Buffalo County residents: follow Big Idea Buffalo County on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
