GREAT BEND, Kan. — Great Bend Economic Development, Inc. (GBED) is proud to announce the Top 5 Finalists for the 2025 IGNITE Rural Business Competition, a live pitch-style event designed to champion rural innovation and support emerging entrepreneurs across Barton County and surrounding areas.
Now in its fourth year, the IGNITE competition has become a cornerstone of GBED’s efforts to foster small business development, encourage community engagement, and build momentum around rural entrepreneurship. The competition gives business owners a platform to pitch for funding, receive expert feedback, and gain visibility in front of a live audience and a panel of judges.
Following a competitive application process and strong semifinal presentations, the following five businesses have been selected as the 2025 finalists:
2025 Finalists:
- Freaking Delicious Cheesecakes, Owner: Allie Cartwright
- Tankquility Aquariums, Owner: Brad Fanshier
- Bin Wranglers, Owner: Wrangler Walker
- Great Bend Play Place, Owners: Kassandra and Billy Eldridge
- Coach K9 Training Academy, Owners: Brooke Schmidt and April Steinert
These finalists will pitch live on stage during the event, with each receiving 10 minutes to present and 8 minutes to answer questions from the judges. A People’s Choice Award will also be determined through live audience voting during the show.
Live Event Details:
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Time: 7:00 – 9:30 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
Location: Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave, Great Bend, KS
Tickets: $15 in advance | $20 at the door
Purchase Tickets: https://www.gbedinc.com/event-details/ignite-rural-business-live-2025-1
“IGNITE continues to highlight the incredible talent, creativity, and drive that exists in our rural communities,” said AJ Crest, Board Member of Great Bend Economic Development. “Our finalists are passionate entrepreneurs who are not only building businesses, but contributing to the long-term vitality of our region.”
2025 Sponsors:
This year’s IGNITE competition is made possible by the generous support of local and statewide partners, including:
Network Kansas, Tessere, The University of Kansas Health System – Great Bend Campus, First Kansas Bank, Parr Sound & Light, Barton Community College, and Eagle Media.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for those interested in supporting rural entrepreneurship and gaining visibility through this impactful event. More about sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.igniteks.com.
In the weeks leading up to the live show, GBED will be featuring each finalist on its website and social media platforms to share their stories and business missions. Community members are encouraged to attend the live event, vote for their favorite business, and be a part of the excitement.
About Great Bend Economic Development (GBED):
Great Bend Economic Development, Inc. is a public/private partnership focused on advancing economic development in Barton County, Kansas. GBED’s mission is to improve the economic quality of life for working families by creating jobs through the retention, recruitment, and expansion of businesses. The organization also works to strengthen the workforce through education and training, increase the availability of living-wage employment, and grow the local tax base through capital investment.
For more information, visit www.gbedinc.com or contact the GBED office at (620) 796-2407.
