Indianapolis, Indiana – What began as a wide and colorful field of 32 Hoosier-made products has now tightened into a focused, fiercely competitive group of 16. The Indiana Chamber’s fifth annual Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana tournament has officially reached its third round, and with voting now underway, the spotlight is shining brighter than ever on the makers who have survived the early knockout stages.
The contest, which unfolds entirely online, has become a winter tradition for many across the state. It highlights the depth of Indiana’s manufacturing sector—a mix of long-time industry giants, small-town artisans, and companies whose products reach markets far beyond state lines. Each year, the tournament plays out in classic Hoosier Hysteria fashion: a single-elimination bracket where every vote can tip the balance and send one competitor forward while ending the journey for another.
This year’s reduced field represents 13 different cities, showcasing how widespread innovation is across the state. Elkhart, Fort Wayne, and Indianapolis stand out, each with two competitors still in the running. Other contenders come from communities of all sizes, proving that “cool” isn’t limited by geography.
With the second round wrapped up, the Chamber shifts the competition into a schedule that stretches through mid-January. The remaining vote windows are already posted, giving fans and supporters a clear timeline for how the drama will unfold:
• Round 3: December 11–16
• Quarterfinals: January 2–7
• Semis: January 8–12
• Finals: January 13–15
For voters, the process is simple but strict. Each new stage starts with a clean slate—previous vote totals do not carry over. Anyone who participates must vote in every matchup within that round, meaning strategic partial voting isn’t allowed. It’s a system designed to keep the contest fair and to push each remaining competitor to earn every inch of progress.
According to Chamber president and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders, the enthusiasm for this year’s bracket has only grown stronger as the pool shrinks. “The statewide interest in this hotly contested competition continues to grow,” she said. “With just 16 competitors remaining and a berth in the quarterfinals on the line, we expect more of the same in the upcoming round. The absolute coolest truly are rising to the top.”
The contest is free to enter, and companies don’t have to be headquartered in Indiana to participate. The only requirement is that the product itself must be manufactured within the state. Each company is limited to a single entry, which adds to the strategy and internal debate for businesses deciding what to showcase.
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As the 2025 edition unfolds, it adds another chapter to a growing lineage of winners. Last year, Hard Truth Whiskey Co. of Nashville and Harpsicle Harps of Rising Sun shared the title—proof that two very different products can earn statewide admiration. Earlier champions include Hoosier Racing Tire in 2023, Maple Leaf Farms in 2022 for its roast half duck, and Janus Motorcycles of Goshen, which took the crown in the inaugural year.
This year’s winners will be honored at the Best in Business Awards Luncheon on January 26 at the Indiana Convention Center. Sponsored by Charter Spectrum TV/Internet/Voice, the luncheon is expected to draw a wide crowd of business leaders, community advocates, and fans of the competition who enjoy seeing homegrown products take center stage.
The 16 companies still standing in the 2025 tournament paint a vivid picture of Indiana’s manufacturing diversity. Listed in alphabetical order with their hometowns, the surviving contenders are:
• A&S Crafted Products / Spiceland
• Country Roads Coffee / Albion
• E Brewing Company / South Whitley
• Elkhart Brass Manufacturing / Elkhart
• Goulding and Wood Pipe Organ Builders / Indianapolis
• Greenfire Innovations LLC / Valparaiso
• Harpsicle Harps / Rising Sun
• Hensley Fabricating & Equipment Co., Inc. / Tippecanoe
• John Force Racing / Brownsburg
• Master Spas / Fort Wayne
• Polaris Marine / Elkhart
• Rolling Pin Bakehouse / Fort Wayne
• Rolls-Royce / Indianapolis
• Stone Horses / Shipshewana
• Tower Trikes, Inc. / South Bend
• Wireless Deer Fence / Unionville
Some are household names. Some are small but beloved. Some operate in niche industries that rarely attract attention. But all share one common trait: their products are made in Indiana and engineered with the kind of attention to detail that has long defined the state’s manufacturing identity.
As Round 3 progresses, competition watchers expect sharper swings in voting, tighter margins, and increased campaigning as companies rally customers and communities for support. What began as a friendly showcase has turned into a statewide conversation about craftsmanship, pride, and the wide range of products that come out of Hoosier factories.
By the time the finals arrive in mid-January, only two products will remain in the chase for the title. For now, though, 16 companies still have a legitimate shot at being named the Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana, and Hoosiers across the state will decide which ones advance.
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