2011 Giant Vision Winners and Finalists

(Below are brief descriptions of each finalists)

 

BUSINESS COMPETITION: The first place $20,000 winner was Steven Keough, pharmaCline, Sioux Falls pharmaClineTM is an innovative technology and pharmaceutical company that has developed a patent-pending drug delivery technology and game-changing product line of topical antimicrobial drugs.

The Company has developed a new generation of antimicrobials agents that exhibit high efficacy and greatly reduce the risk of resistance forming strains, which present such a danger to patients worldwide.

The product lines are now ready for rapid penetration within the pharmaceutical and medical products industry. pharmaCline’s new technology enables revival of a retired class of pharmaceuticals into newly transformed high-efficacy therapeutic agents against the most resistant strains of disease.

Second ($5,000): Braasch Biotech, Keith and Jeralyn Haffer, Garretson Braasch Biotech LLC is a privately held, pre-clinical biopharmaceutical company. Our vaccine technologies have applications in both human and animal health.

Working as a hub-and-spoke operation, we coordinate activities with major US researchers and Universities from our home base in South Dakota. Our lead human vaccine is the world’s first anti-obesity vaccine.

In animal health our vaccines are being used to produce leaner meat, enhance growth rates and produce safer milk. Our company has a strong intellectual property position (patents), which have been issued and nationalized globally.

Third ($4,000) : Roto Mold, LLC - Ruff Tuff Dog Kennels, Doug Sangl and Lyle Van Kalsbeek, Sioux Falls Roto Mold, LLC is a South Dakota based company that molds custom plastic parts. Two years ago we had an idea for a safer/stronger dog kennel (Ruff Tough Kennels). After completing the first proto type and with some input from South Dakota pheasant outfitters we came up with not just a dog kennel but a system.

They can be coupled together and tied down safely in vehicles. After releasing RTK a little over a year ago, it has expanded beyond our expectations. We have already sold them in 49 states, Canada and been picked up by Cabelas already.

Fourth ($3,500): SD Sports Buzz, Jon Kellar, Rapid City South Dakota Sports Buzz, LLC (“SDSB”) is developing the preeminent website for sports in South Dakota, and will carry this platform forward to a network of national affiliates. Our product’s foundation is cutting-edge information technology based upon proprietary software interfacing with the latest communications platforms like Facebook/Twitter and smart phones.

Success requires contributions by a community of users of consistently interesting and entertaining content – text, image, audio and video; for which SDSB has developed technological and social systems leading to this end. In short, SDSB is a local sports media company enabled by proprietary technology and powered by its community.

Fifth ($2,000): Mt. Jono d.b.a. 1st Person History, Megan Dahle, Sioux Falls. 1st Person History helps customers record the life stories of loved ones. The 1st Person kit provides all the tools necessary to ensure events, experiences and memories that make up a life are preserved for generations to come.

The simple yet effective approach ensures fine details are remembered and all topics are covered. In the end, customers have a priceless product. Driven by our grandparents' and parents' experiences, 1st Person History recognizes the inherent value in personal histories. 1st Person History aims to continue to create new and innovate ways to help people collect, organize and share life stories.

The remaining qualifiers received $500 each to help with the expenses of participation.