Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
Indiana is home to thousands of businesses making cool products – some you’ve heard of and many you’ve not. To celebrate and bring recognition to those innovators and producers, the Indiana Chamber’s fourth annual Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana competition is back.
The bracket-style competition invites Hoosiers to vote for their favorite cool thing made in the state. Just like a basketball bracket, businesses are eliminated each round.
In 2023, four businesses located in the Radius Indiana region made the bracket.
Angry Sturgeon Lures, a Crawford County small business started by Bob Sturgeon, advanced to the round of Sweet 16.
Other businesses included from the Radius region were Kimball International, Abbey Casket – both in Dubois County – and Dishmaster in Lawrence County.
Sturgeon handcrafts wooden crankbaits at his home in English. The hobby became a business about 12 years ago after he posted photos of his lures to social media and began getting requests. He makes 3-inch crank baits using a variety of woods and he has a variety to choose from on his Crawford County property.
He leaves them unpainted to show the beauty of the wood.
Sturgeon said being in the contest was a solid boost to his business and gave Angry Sturgeon Lures a wider exposure.
“It gave me a pretty good bump, especially from the Indianapolis area,” he said.
Sturgeon is active on social media, posting “how it’s made” videos of his lures, come of which have racked up 3 million views. Being in the Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana bracket was something else he could promote to followers.
“Being in the contest was definitely a good experience and I would encourage other businesses to enter,” he said.
Contest details
New this year, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce is joined by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation in putting on the program.
“With the IDDC’s ‘IN Indiana’ marketing campaign, the partnership between their organization and ours to grow and promote this exciting competition and the companies that compete in it just makes so much sense,” said Vanessa Green Sinders, Indiana Chamber president and CEO, in a press release. “We’re truly excited to put a brighter spotlight on this popular and fun contest but also the makers that are so important to Indiana’s economy. The fact that such a variety of great companies are flourishing here demonstrates how fertile Indiana is for growing a business.”
A revamped Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana logo highlights the new contest partnership and includes the IDDC’s IN Indiana campaign branding.
“Partnering with the Indiana Chamber’s Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana tournament is a perfect way to celebrate innovation IN Indiana,” emphasizes Elaine Bedel, IDDC secretary and CEO in a prepared statement.
With the new IDDC partnership, the competitors will receive more recognition for their participation. The IDDC also will produce high-quality videos featuring the eight quarterfinalists and their cool products.
The IDDC has produced several popular video series over the last few years, including “Hoosiers by Choice” and the award-winning “Home Again” series. The videos for the Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana competition will be available to the quarterfinalists to promote their award and market their company via their social media and other channels.
Entries are being accepted for the Hoosier Hysteria-style single elimination tournament at www.indianachamber.com/coolest. Entry is free, and nominations will be accepted through Oct. 18.
To participate, a company does not need to be headquartered in Indiana, but the product entered must be made in the state. Businesses are limited to having one product nominated.
Online fan voting determines the winner of each matchup. The tournament tips off in late October and concludes in November.
Previous winners
Last year, Hoosier Racing Tire was crowned as the producer of the Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana for its racing tire. Janus Motorcycles of Goshen took top honors in the inaugural competition, and in 2022 the Chamber honored Maple Leaf Farms of Leesburg for its roast half duck.
All competitors will get a digital badge to trumpet their participation through their website and social media channels. Quarterfinalists, semifinalists and finalists will receive a special badge to celebrate the accomplishment. The winning company will receive a feature article in the Indiana Chamber’s BizVoice® magazine. Awards for the top finishers will be presented at the 2024 Best IN Manufacturing Awards Luncheon on December 11 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.
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 Kalenborn Abresist Corporation; and silver sponsor Evonik Tippecanoe Laboratories.
Additional sponsorships are available for the event; contact Tim Brewer at (317) 496-0704 or [email protected].