D.I.C.E. Challenge - Community Business Pitch Competition

Success is unlocked by daring to roll the dice.

Every successful business starts with a bold idea—and the support to grow it.

The D.I.C.E. Challenge - Community Business Pitch Competition exists to turn early-stage ideas into real, community-rooted businesses. Designed to identify, support, and invest in emerging entrepreneurs across Southeastern Indiana, the competition focuses on ventures that are ready to take their next meaningful step.

The program is open to founders actively working toward business formation and businesses in operation for twelve months or less. By centering early-stage development, the D.I.C.E. Challenge meets entrepreneurs where they are—providing the resources, guidance, and visibility needed to move forward with confidence.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

- Must be a for-profit small business or product concept
- Must be actively working toward business formation or have been operating for twelve (12) months or less as of April 2, 2026
- Lead applicant must be 18 years of age or older
- Must reside in and commit to operating the business within one of the following Southeastern Indiana counties: Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, or Switzerland
- IF selected as a Finalist, must be available to present in person on April 2nd at Whiskey City's Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg, Indiana
- Organizations not eligible for funding or consideration include:
  - Nonprofit organizations
  - Political or lobbying organizations
  - Religious institutions or programs with a primary faith-based purpose
  - Firearms, weapons, or related sales
  - Businesses promoting violence or harmful activity
Submissions Open: February 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Submissions Close: March 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Registration Fee: $100 per submission
Applicants can preview the FULL application HERE.
Date: April 2, 2026
Location: Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater (Lawrenceburg, IN)
Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Finalists will be required to attend Tech Rehearsal beginning at 12:00 PM.
Total Available Funding: $40,000
- Each of the five judges is allocated $8,000 to award at their discretion. Judges may choose to award their full amount to one participant or divide it among multiple participants based on merit, need, and potential impact.
Benefits for Submitting a Pitch:
- All non-finalists receive a complimentary VIP Early Entry ticket to attend the networking hour and curated expo beginning at 5:00 PM on April 2, 2026.
- All non-finalists will receive a business coaching session with the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) to support their next steps and continued business development.
Benefits for Finalists:
- Finalists will participate in an initial planning meeting with Ginnie Faller of the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) and Lori Rennekamp, Entrepreneurial Program Coordinator with Genesis: Pathways to Success to develop a customized business plan that will support the effective use of funds, business development, and next steps for growth.
- Finalists join a D.I.C.E. Challenge Winner Cohort, which meets monthly through the end of the year. This cohort provides continued mentorship, peer support, and access to regional business resource organizations, technical assistance, and subject-matter experts tailored to participants’ needs and industries.
Please refer to the D.I.C.E. Challenge - Community Business Pitch Competition FAQ for additional questions and information. All businesses are encouraged to read the FAQs before submitting a pitch.

Ready to Support the Finalists?

Join us on April 2, 2026, for an inspiring night of big ideas, bold dreams, and hometown innovation at the D.I.C.E. Challenge - Community Business Pitch! Come cheer on emerging entrepreneurs from across our region as they take the stage to share their business visions and compete for funding that will help bring their ideas to life.

Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026

Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Location: Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater, 229 Walnut Street, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

Schedule of Events: