Shoals Idea Competition Showcases An Innovative Community

Sep. 25, 2018

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

SHOALS, Ala.-The Shoals Idea Audition, a Shoals Shift event supported by Innovation Sponsors Bank Independent and the Joel R. Anderson Family Foundation, is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 4 at 4 p.m., on the 2ndfloor of the Guillot University Center on the University of North Alabama campus. The event ispartially funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission. This annual event is free and open to the public. It is designed to foster new businesses, help entrepreneurs polish their presentations, and introduce community leaders who might be instrumental in helping make their ideas a reality.For the fifth year in a row, hopeful participants will have an opportunity to present their business ideas to a panel of area professionals, and the top scoring idea will be awarded a $5,000 cash prize, with $2,500 and $1,000 to second and third-place winners, respectively. "On October 4 the participants will have three minutes to make a pitch before a panel of judges made up of local entrepreneurs," said Mary Marshall VanSant, a founder of the event. "Over the past five years we have seen some great ideas come to fruition due to the monetary support these entrepreneurs have received through the Idea Audition." Last year Carl Holden won the event with his app, Vicinidi. Vicinidi is a location-based app that specific targets messages that can be controlled through geofencing, a GPS function that creates a virtual geographic boundary. "It was a great experience winning last year and the confidence boost I needed to pursue opening my company Vicinidi," said Holden. "I have a long journey ahead but this competition was some of my first crucial steps." For more information:www.shoalsideaaudition.com -30- Attached picture: Left to Right: Macke Mauldin from Bank Independent, 2017 Idea Audition winner Carl Holden, Shoals Chamber's Caitlin Holland, and Greg Carnes from UNA's College of Business.