Now Accepting Nominations for the 2023 Next Big Idea Competition through February 17, 2023!

The Next Big Idea Competition, our version of the popular TV Show “Shark Tank” is now in its eleventh year. This event was designed to showcase innovation, collaboration, and new solutions for our industry. We are excited to announce another year in which prize money will be awarded — $7,500 for first place, and $2,500 for second place courtesy of Co-op Solutions. The first place winner will also secure a presentation spot at the 2023 NASCUS State System Summit in Nashville, August 2023.

The Next Big Idea Competition

The Next Big Idea Competition will be held in-person at the NACUSO Network Conference on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort. Submit your idea by completing the online application below. Our selection committee will review the applications and choose 5 organizations to present on stage in front of the NACUSO Network attendees. The chosen contestants will get 6 minutes to present followed by 7 minutes of questions from our guest judges. At the end of the presentations, the audience (approximately 450-500 attendees) will vote to instantly select the first and second place winners of NACUSO’s 2023 Next Big Idea Competition.

How to submit your idea

Apply: Submit your nomination by completing the below form.

Deadline: All applications must be submitted by February 17, 2023.

Next Steps: All applicants will be notified by March 1, 2023 with the status of their application.

Hotel: For hotel room reservations at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort, we recommend booking prior to the room block deadline of March 2, 2023. Room rates for NACUSO attendees are $299+ tax per night.

Registration: Please note there is no fee to apply for the competition, but if chosen, all finalists are required to register for the NACUSO Network Conference by March 10. The cost to register is $1350 per person.

Contact Us: (888)462-2870 or Shawna@nacuso.org.

Criteria for the Next Big Idea are initiatives to: 

-Improve earnings
-Enhance member service
-Deliver new products and services to members
-Improve delivery channels to members

The innovations can be at various stages of development: 

-Early stage and in need of investment
-Ready to be delivered
-Already in motion and are growing and changing the industry

Previous Next Big Idea Winners

2013 Winner: NOWaccount
2014 Winner: nCino
2015 Winner: Daon’s IdentityX
2016 Winner: CU RateReset
2017 Winner: Constellation
2018 Winner: Knock Knock
2019 Winner: Zogo Finance
2020 Winner: NetGiver
2021 Winner: RenoFi
2022 Winner: Illuma Labs/Posh Technologies

2022 Next Big Idea Award Winner: Illuma Labs and Posh Technologies

Next Big Idea Competition Nomination Form 2023

  • Describe the specific benefits to a credit union, credit union members and/or CUSO that uses your idea?
  • What distinguishes your idea from similar products, services and/or delivery channels? Why should a credit union use your idea over other solutions? What markets does your idea create or open up for credit unions and/or CUSOs?
  • Is your idea "ready to offer" or does it need to be developed? If it is not ready to offer, what is your timeline for development?
  • Do you need capital to finish your idea, or is it built and ready to offer? If you need capital, how much do you need? What is the return on investment for a credit union or CUSO who invests in your idea?
  • If not, are you open to credit union ownership, so you can become a CUSO?
  • Describe your business model. Describe the organizations that will be involved in the services (including credit unions and/or CUSOs), how the organizations will interact, who will control the organizations and how the revenues and costs will be shared among the organizations.
  • - A one paragraph summary description of your idea:
  • - A single sentence "one-liner" to best describe your idea:
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
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