Allegheny College Student’s Dry Lake Farm Pitch Wins Zingale Big Idea Competition
Allegheny College student Brandon Bolling won the $10,000 first-place prize at the 14th annual Zingale Big Idea Competition, held virtually by the College’s Bruce R. Thompson Center For Business & Economics on Saturday, May 8.
Bolling pitched a concept for Dry Lake Farm, an environmentally friendly chicken producer, in the competition, which emulates the experiences seen on the popular ABC broadcast “Shark Tank.” However, unlike “Shark Tank,” the Zingale Big Idea Competition judges do more than evaluate the competitors’ business models; they offer constructive feedback, coach, and encourage students.
“I believe that the societal and environmental impact of 2021 winner Brandon Bolling and his Dry Lake Farm will be more life changing than any of the other ideas that we saw this year. Big ideas like that are the foundation of the competition,” said Lance Zingale, a 1977 Allegheny graduate and longtime judge in the competition.
Bolling is a senior with a double major in integrative informatics and environmental science and sustainability; he is also minoring in energy and society.
Students from Allegheny College, Grove City College, and Westminster College participated in the competition. Other prize categories included the best Social Venture Idea, The Next Big Idea, and Honorable Mention. Visit the Zingale Big Idea Competition website for more information on the competition and other honorees in this year’s contest.
The Zingale Big Idea Competition is supported by Lance and Karen Zingale and by Burton D. Morgan Foundation.