Listen to the full interview with Will Peer on the Kubota Podcast
North Platte, Neb - The 2025 Big Idea North Platte competition brought together creative and community-minded entrepreneurs to share their ideas and compete for top honors. Hosted by the North Platte Young Professionals, the annual event gives local innovators the opportunity to pitch their business concepts and gain support to bring them to life.
This year’s Community Category winner was Will Peer with The Peers Golf Experience, a mobile golf simulator designed to bring the game anywhere—from backyard gatherings to corporate events. Peer, who has spent much of his life in the golf industry, said he’s followed similar business models across the country and wanted to bring something like that to central Nebraska.
“If it works in a warm-weather climate, it should be able to work here too,” he said, adding that the idea offers a fun, accessible way for people to enjoy golf while supporting player development for youth and high school programs.
Peer said the biggest challenge was the financial risk of starting something new, but the process of building the business has been rewarding.
“Getting it started has been the most rewarding part,” he said. “There have always been ideas, but none of them have left the ground until this one.”
He credited his family, mentors, and local business professionals for their support and said he hopes to continue expanding the Peers Golf Experience to serve more communities across Nebraska.
Other winners recognized during the event include Chloe Bear Killer with Sweet Blossoms Cupcakes in second place and Becky Pearson with Pivot Point Rehab in third place in the Community Category.
In the Youth Category, AJ Uecker with Prayer Packages took first place, followed by Katie Titus with Forever Flowers in second and Addison Hanna with Golden Hour Media in third.
Peer encouraged others who are considering entering Big Idea next year to take a chance and get started early.
“You don’t have to wait until you win or even enter Big Idea,” he said. “Just start. That makes the process easier.”
The Big Idea competition continues to celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship in the region, inspiring both youth and adults to turn their ideas into reality.