EAU CLAIRE -- Elizabeth Ivankovic and Jannell Sworski of Woolley Belly Pellets won a $5,000 prize from the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) last week after competing against several other entrepreneurs competing in the annual Idea Challenge.

Woolly Belly Pellets is a renewable gardening option made from wool and is an eco-friendly alternative to peat moss. The pellets retain water in gardens and potted plants, reducing the frequency the plants need to be watered. The pellets also act as a slow-release fertilizer, offering the plants plenty of nutrients.

"[The judges] really liked this one because it could be a product that could be marketed and sold immediately," said Community Project Manager at the Eau Claire Area EDC Emily Fliehr. "A lot of the other [competitors] were services where this was an actual product."

The recipient of EDC's Business Service Award, in the amount of $1,000, was Sarah Welsh for her "Learn Better" service. "Learn Better" provides employees of businesses educational opportunities to build their skills and boost their success.

It fosters continuous learning so that businesses can rely on their current employees to have and acquire the skills they need.

"If an employee doesn't have the appropriate skills to move up within the company, [Sarah] will come in and will help implement those skills so that [the company] doesn't have to hire anybody else," said Fliehr.

Finalists included Metabolic Care NP by Christina Funk, Good Energy by Jennifer Schrader, and the Wellness Center by Tamisha Butler.

All participants were gifted three free months of use of The Coven's entrepreneurial space in downtown Eau Claire.

The Idea Challenge is an annual contest in Eau Claire that has been taking place since 2007. Applicants can submit their business ideas and pitches between the month of July to October. Finalists are announced in November with the five finalists and grand prize winner announced every December. The awards are intended to help market new existing business or to help start up ideas for new businesses in the area.

The contest is free as are many of the services the Eau Claire EDC offers to local businesses. They offer opportunities for recruitment, business retention and expansion, and entrepreneurship.

"It's crazy how many different entrepreneurs we have in this area," said Fliehr. "They always have different ideas which is super awesome."