A local business owner and team have won Ben Franklin’s Big Idea Contest for their Blind Tiger Spirit-Free Cocktails.

Dr. Rebecca Styn ’02M ’20M, owner of Room 33 in downtown Erie, and Blind Tiger won the first place prize of $50k in startup funding in this year’s Northwest PA BIG IDEA contest, along with the People’s Choice Award of $2,500.

Seven finalists pitched their presentations via zoom Jan. 14.

Dr. Styn and her team are developing natural, organic alternatives to alcoholic cocktails, which will be shelf stable for up to 18 months.
Stephen Brawley, President and CEO of Ben Franklin, stated in a news release, “I don’t envy this panel of judges the job they faced in choosing just one winner out of this great group of finalists. Many thanks to all those who participated, and congratulations to Rebecca and the team at Blind Tiger”