News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual  Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana tournament is down to 32 competitors as second-round action concludes and the third round tips off.

Voting in the remaining rounds is as follows: Round 3 – Nov. 12-15; Round 4 – Nov. 18-21; Round 5 – Nov. 22-26; Semis – Nov. 27-Dec. 2; Finals – Dec. 3-5

The contest began with a record field of 90 manufacturers, and of the 32 remaining some are nearby, including Smoker Craft Inc. in New Paris, Gen-Y Hitch in Nappanee, Goshen Brewing Co. in Goshen and Polygon Co. in Walkerton.

Other companies still in the contest that are in the area but not quite as close are 80/20 LLC, Columbia City; Blue Fox Farms LLC, Wawaka; Fort Wayne Metals, Fort Wayne; Gator, Columbia City; L3Harris Technologies Inc., Fort Wayne; QuickFreeze, Fort Wayne; Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions, Granger; and Wheelin Water LLC, New Haven.

The contestants, matchups, array of products and product descriptions can be seen on the event’s website. Fans and followers of the competitors can be part of the competition by voting online at www.indianachamber.com/coolestthing. Voters must vote for all matchups in any given round in which they vote.

This year, the Indiana Chamber has been joined by the I.ndiana Destination Development Corp. in putting on the program.

The IDDC’s “IN Indiana” marketing campaign is incorporated into this year’s Coolest Thing Made contest, which is run like a single-elimination, Hoosier Hysteria-style tournament.

“This event has become just what the Indiana Chamber and IDDC hoped for: a showcase for the many tremendous makers and re-manufacturers across Indiana,” said Vanessa Green Sinders, Indiana Chamber president and chief executive officer. “With interest continuing to intensify as the competitors are narrowed down to the very coolest, we know the spotlight will burn bright on the winners of upcoming rounds and the eventual champion.”

New this year, the IDDC will produce videos showcasing the eight quarterfinalists, which those companies will be able to use for their own promotions and bragging rights.

Entry in the contest is free. To participate, a company did not need to be headquartered in Indiana, but the product entered must be manufactured in the state. Companies are limited to having one product nominated for entry.

Last year, Hoosier Racing Tire was crowned as the producer of the Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana for its racing tire. Janus Motorcycles of Goshen took top honors in the inaugural competition, and in 2022 the Chamber honored Maple Leaf Farms of Leesburg for its roast half duck.

Awards for this year’s top finishers will be presented at the 2024 Best IN Manufacturing Awards Luncheon on December 11 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

The Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana and Best IN Manufacturing endeavors are supported by spirit sponsor Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Purdue MEP), with gold sponsor Kalenborn Abresist Corp. and silver sponsors Evonik Tippecanoe Laboratories and Kimball Electronics Jasper.

The other remaining competitors and their home cities include: Antique Candle Co., Lafayette; Aqua Blast Corp., Decatur; Bear Wallow Distillery, Nashville; Clabber Girl, Terre Haute; Country Roads Coffee, Albion; Electric Jet Aircraft, Pendleton; Foamnasium, Greenfield; Guardian Bikes, Seymour; Hard Truth Whiskey Co., Nashville; Harpsicle Harps, Rising Sun; Hiker Trailers, Columbus; Kidstuff Playsystems Inc., Gary; Kimball International, Jasper; Labcorp, Indianapolis; Marsha’s Specialty Desserts & Tierney’s Catering, Avon; Middle Davids Artisan Candles & Gifts, Franklin; Noble Industries, Noblesville; Rolls-Royce North America, Indianapolis; SpaceGuard Products, Seymour; and Yamaha Marine Precision Propellers, Greenfield.