(Southeastern IN) – Genesis: Pathways to Success is excited to announce the D.I.C.E. (Dreams, Ingenuity, Creativity, & Entrepreneurship) Challenge–Community Business Pitch Competition, which was established to identify, support, and invest in emerging small businesses and product concepts that will be launched in Southeastern Indiana.
Through direct investment, professional guidance, and public recognition, the D.I.C.E. Challenge provides catalytic support to help promising ideas become viable, community-rooted enterprises.
The competition is designed for founders in the earliest stages of business development, including new ventures actively working toward formal business formation and businesses that have been operating for twelve (12) months or less as of April 2, 2026.
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- 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;
- 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; and
- Must be available to present in person on April 2 at Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, if selected as a finalist.
Ineligible Businesses & Uses:
To maintain the focus of the D.I.C.E. Challenge, the following are not eligible for funding or consideration:
- 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
Submission Requirements:
- Completion of the official D.I.C.E. Challenge Application form (with optional video pitch submission)
- Payment of the $100 non-refundable application fee
- Agreement to all competition rules and conditions
The open application period ends March 1 at 11:59 p.m. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed. Please seek the D.I.C.E Challenge FAQ sheet for more information and answers to common questions.
Finalists will be announced on March 16.
Lori Rennekamp, Entrepreneurial Program Coordinator of Genesis: Pathways to Success, stated, “As a former small business owner, I know the excitement and uncertainty that comes with taking a risk to start something new. This Genesis initiative is about giving entrepreneurs the support they need to gain traction, strengthen our region, and turn local ideas into real opportunities. I invite everyone to come experience the competition live and support their neighbors’ dreams.”
Finalists will present their business concepts live at the D.I.C.E. Challenge event on April 2 at Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg and will be considered for a share of $40,000 in total funding, awarded at the sole discretion of the judging panel. Finalists receive individualized mentorship and the opportunity to secure direct financial awards and long-term advisory support. All applicants receive an Early Entry VIP Ticket to the Networking Hour and Curated Expo at the final event, and access to business development resources.
This opportunity is made possible by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the Indiana Small Business Development Center.
To learn more information about D.I.C.E Challenge–Community Business Pitch, please contact Lori Rennekamp by emailing lrennekamp@genesisp2s.org, calling (812) 933-1098, or stopping by the office at 13 E. George Street, Suite B, Batesville, IN, 47006.
Additional information may be found at https://genesisp2s.org/dicechallenge-community.
(Genesis: Pathways to Success press release)
