There are more than one million small businesses in Illinois, and collectively they account for a significant share of the state’s economic production and hiring. On March 17, one standout Illinois entrepreneur will compete in a nationwide competition that could net her cash and prizes that will take her business to the next level.
Marissa Siebel-Siero of IntelliWheels, Inc. is one of 10 finalists competing in the 2016 InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge, put on in partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and Microsoft. At the event, being held in Washington, D.C., Marissa will pitch her product: Tinker, the first ever 3D product configurator in the wheelchair marketplace that gives customers feedback and control. A panel of expert judges will select three winners from the field, with $70,000 in prizes at stake.
Now, in its second year, the InnovateHER competition seeks to uncover products or services that will fill a need in the marketplace and have the greatest potential for commercialization. Last year, the SBA and Microsoft engaged over 100 organizations and reached over 1,000 entrepreneurs across the nation through InnovateHER.
For more information on the competition and to keep up with developments, including the winner announcement, visit www.sba.gov/innovateher. Good luck to all of the entrepreneurs pitching their innovations!