Innovation, Action! Economic Development Team Brings Entrepreneur Showcase to Life

Posted On: March 30, 2026

Picture Shark Tank, but with a Volusia County twist – and a packed house cheering for their neighbors.

That energy filled the Ocean Center on March 25 as nearly 300 attendees gathered for the second annual Volusia Innovation Challenge, watching six finalists pitch their inventions and business concepts to a panel of judges for a shot at cash prizes and life-changing mentoring opportunities.

Behind the excitement was a lot of hard work by Volusia County's Economic Development Division, which partnered with Volusia Business Resources to grow the competition, guide applicants and finalists through the process, and manage the event logistics that made the day run smoothly.

The effort paid off. Steve Lofvers, inventor of TarpBags®, claimed the $10,000 top prize with an elegantly simple solution: reusable, water-fillable ballast bags that secure emergency roof tarps without nails or roof-penetrating fasteners. Along with the cash, Lofvers will receive a year of workspace and mentoring at the Volusia Innovation Hub. Second place and a $5,000 prize went to Arjun Menon and Jadyn Fulcher for Tracker, a toolbox inventory system that delivers real-time tool tracking and analytics through an intuitive interface.

Lou Paris, director of the Economic Development Division, said the Volusia Innovation Challenge has become the community's most impactful event for startups and small businesses – not just as a pitch competition, but as a platform where entrepreneurs gain visibility, feedback, and connections to the resources they need to grow.

"This event plays a direct role in fostering business creation and expansion in our community," Paris said. "The question is not whether the Volusia Innovation Challenge will produce successful businesses, but how many it will generate, and how big those businesses will grow."

The Volusia Innovation Challenge is organized by Volusia County Economic Development and Volusia Business Resources, a collaborative partnership of local government and private organizations supporting small businesses and connecting entrepreneurs with the funding and resources to turn bold ideas into thriving ventures.

Congratulations to the Economic Development team on another successful event – and to all the innovators who stepped up to the challenge.