Imagine Shark Tank with a local flare to highlight the growing Volusia County entrepreneur community.
That was the exciting atmosphere inside the Ocean Center on March 25 as nearly 300 attendees packed the venue for the second annual Volusia Innovation Challenge, cheering on six finalists as they pitched their inventions and business concepts to a panel of judges for a shot at life-changing cash prizes and mentoring.
Steve Lofvers, inventor TarpBags®, took home the top prize and the crowd’s admiration with a brilliantly simple solution to a stubborn problem: non-destructive, reusable, water-fillable ballast bags that secure emergency roof tarps without nails or any roof-penetrating fasteners. In addition to the $10,000 cash award, Lofvers will receive one year of workspace and mentoring at the Volusia Innovation Hub to help build his venture. Prior to winning the Innovation Challenge, Steve was a virtual Orbit Volusia client with the Volusia Innovation Hub.
“I am grateful for this incredible opportunity and proud to be part of a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Volusia County,” Lofvers said. “The Innovation Challenge is an amazing initiative that truly highlights the ingenuity and creativity of the business community.”
