The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has announced the eight quarterfinalists in its fifth annual Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana tournament. The competition, which started with 16 entries, is designed to highlight manufacturing across the state and recognize companies that produce a wide range of goods for local, national, and international markets.
The tournament uses a single-elimination format similar to Hoosier Hysteria basketball tournaments. Each round sees the highest vote-getter advance to the next stage. The remaining eight companies represent seven cities, with two from Elkhart: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing and Polaris Marine. Other quarterfinalists include Goulding and Wood Pipe Organ Builders (Indianapolis), Harpsicle Harps (Rising Sun), Hensley Fabricating & Equipment Co., Inc. (Tippecanoe), Rolling Pin Bakehouse (Fort Wayne), Stone Horses (Shipshewana), and Wireless Deer Fence (Unionville).
Voting for the quarterfinals will take place from January 2-7, followed by semifinals from January 8-12 and finals from January 13-15. Votes reset at the start of each new round, so all competitors begin each stage with zero votes. Voters are required to select winners in every matchup during a given round. Voting is conducted online at www.indianachamber.com/coolestthing, closing at 9 p.m. on the last day of each round.
Indiana Chamber president and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders commented on the ongoing contest: “With each passing round, the competition for the honor of making the coolest thing in this great state just gets more intense,” she said. “At this point, with the quality of this year’s field, it’s really cool versus cool. But in the end, there can only be one ultimate winner. I, for one, can’t wait to see who it’s going to be. And the way the votes are flying in, I’m not alone.”
Participation in the contest is free and open to any company that manufactures their nominated product within Indiana; however, only one product per company may be entered.
Previous winners have included Nashville’s Hard Truth Whiskey Co., Rising Sun-based Harpsicle Harps as co-winners last year; Hoosier Racing Tire in 2023; Maple Leaf Farms for its roast half duck in 2022; and Janus Motorcycles during the inaugural year.
Winners will be recognized at an awards luncheon scheduled for January 26 at the Indiana Convention Center as part of the Chamber’s Best in Business Awards event.
