Great Bend Innovation Challenge puts local problem-solvers to work Dec. 5

GREAT BEND, Kan. — Everyday problems take center stage at the Great Bend Innovation Challenge, a free, hands-on event bringing students, business owners, entrepreneurs and community members together from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026.

Participants work in teams to explore ideas, build prototypes and present practical solutions with guidance from mentors. The event requires no coding experience, technical background, finished business idea or preformed team.

Attendees may bring a problem or early-stage idea or choose from challenges involving agriculture, workplace safety, equipment maintenance, rural transportation and small-business technology. Each challenge encourages teams to consider how their solution could help people save time, reduce costs, improve safety or simplify everyday tasks.

Facilitators help participants form small teams around shared interests. Short learning sessions cover identifying a problem, developing a prototype and presenting an idea, while mentors offer support throughout the day. Teams spend most of their time putting those lessons into practice.

A prototype might take the form of a sketch, physical model, workflow, digital mockup or simple demonstration. The day concludes with team presentations and judging. Judges consider each team’s understanding of its problem, the usefulness and creativity of its solution and the progress made during the event.

The challenge supports a broader effort to help residents explore innovation and continue developing promising ideas through the Great Bend Innovation Center.

Free participation includes lunch and light snacks. Organizers also provide laptops for attendees who need one. Participants may bring their own laptop and charger and should plan to attend the full day.

Registration is open now at gbedinc.com/innovation-center.

For more information, contact Jason Kuilan, executive director of Great Bend Economic Development, at director@gbedinc.com.

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