Local entries in the Indiana Chamber’s fifth annual Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana tournament have been eliminated as voting moves to the second round.
Challenge Plastic Products, Inc. of Edinburgh and Columbus’ Déjà Vu Art and Fine Craft Show were both out as of the first round.
The online contest is a celebration of Indiana’s rich history in manufacturing and the Hoosier makers that produce all kinds of goods sold locally, nationally and globally. The competition format is a Hoosier Hysteria-style single-elimination tournament, with the top vote earner in each matchup advancing to the next round, according to the state chamber.
“This event has repeatedly drawn a crowd of interest from participants, voters and observers, and we’re seeing that again this year,” said Vanessa Green Sinders, Indiana Chamber president and CEO. “If you haven’t already, you really should look at the matchups and list of product descriptions on the contest website and vote for your favorites. It’s truly awe-inspiring what’s being made right here in Indiana.”
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 in the field, according to the state chamber.
Online fan voting determines the winner of each matchup. Voters must vote for all matchups in a given round to have their votes tallied. Anyone can vote and learn more about the array of Hoosier manufacturers and the products they entered at indianachamber.com/coolestthing.
The tournament, which features six rounds, concludes in mid-January.
Voting dates for the remaining rounds are as follows:
Round 2: Dec. 5-10
Round 3: Dec. 11-16
Quarterfinals: Jan. 2-7
Semis: Jan. 8-12
Finals: Jan. 13-15
The contestants, matchups, array of cool 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.
With the beginning of each new round, the votes from the previous round are wiped away, and every remaining competitor starts the new round with no votes. Voters must vote for all matchups in any given round in which they vote.
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 their entry.
Last year, Nashville’s Hard Truth Whiskey Co. and Rising Sun-based Harpsicle Harps shared top honors.
In 2023, Hoosier Racing Tire was crowned as the producer of the Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana for its racing tire. In 2022, the Indiana Chamber honored Maple Leaf Farms of Leesburg for its roast half duck, and Janus Motorcycles of Goshen was victorious in the inaugural competition.
Awards for this year’s top finishers will be presented at the Indiana Chamber’s Best in Business Awards Luncheon sponsored by Charter Spectrum TV/Internet/Voice on Jan. 26 at the Indiana Convention Center.
The list of companies making the second round of the 2025 Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana tournament, in alphabetical order with location:
- A&S Crafted Products / Spiceland
- Aqua Blast Corp / Decatur
- BraunAbility / Winamac
- Carrier / Indianapolis
- Country Roads Coffee / Albion
- DynaDome / Crown Point
- E Brewing Company / South Whitley
- Elkhart Brass Manufacturing / Elkhart
- Faztek / Fort Wayne
- Fort Wayne Metals / Fort Wayne
- GEN-Y Hitch / Nappanee
- Goulding and Wood Pipe Organ Builders / Indianapolis
- Greenfire Innovations LLC / Valparaiso
- Harpsicle Harps / Rising Sun
- Harvestone Low Carbon Partners (Iroquois Bio-Energy Company LLC) / Rensselaer
- Hensley Fabricating & Equipment Co., Inc. / Tippecanoe
- Herculean Prepared Meals / Indianapolis
- HyFlex Corp. / Knightstown
- John Force Racing / Brownsburg
- Master Spas / Fort Wayne
- NearSpace Launch / Upland
- Polaris Marine / Elkhart
- Recovery Force Health / Fishers
- Respiratory Health Technologies / Indianapolis
- Rolling Pin Bakehouse / Fort Wayne
- Rolls-Royce / Indianapolis
- Rose Mandolins / Seymour
- Standard Locknut / Westfield
- Stone Horses / Shipshewana
- Tot Chop / Fort Wayne
- Tower Trikes, Inc. / South Bend
- Wireless Deer Fence / Unionville
