100K Ideas brings a fundraising twist to Flint with 'Mystery Box' auction

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

FLINT, Michigan — This month, 100K Ideas will host their very own “Mystery Box” Auction fundraiser to raise money to support aspiring entrepreneurs with resources to help their ideas move forward. The event happens on Thursday, August 25 at the Ferris Wheel Building (615 S. Saginaw St.) from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

A community event with a spin on the traditional auction process, the “Mystery Box” Auction comes with a unique twist as bidders will not know what’s inside of the box they are bidding on. Bidders will only know the name of the company or vendor who provided the items within each box. Once the bid has ended, each box will be revealed.

The mystery boxes that will be up for bidding are from 100K Ideas’ entrepreneurs and innovators as well as the 100K Ideas’ Circle of Friends, a network of local vendors and small businesses that have partnered with 100K Ideas to help support the ideas of aspiring entrepreneurs.

“This event not only highlights the work of 100K Ideas but, more importantly, our clients that have moved their business to market,” said Vivian Williams, the I00K Ideas Community Engagement Coordinator.

According to Williams, the idea for the mystery auction was initiated from a similar event at her university. The team thought this fundraising initiative would be a great opportunity to connect both their clients and Circle of Friends by inviting them to donate their products and services.

Inside the Ferris Wheel Building located at 615 S. Saginaw St. in downtown Flint.

“Providing resources is central to 100K Ideas’ mission. We recognize innovators and entrepreneurship is not one and the same, and so we work to bridge the gap for those who have a desire to start a business. We create relationships with our clients so they can feel comfortable, confident, and ready to take the next step,” said Williams.

Through this initiative, both 100K Ideas innovators and Circle of Friends will have the opportunity to share their projects and entrepreneurial endeavors with the Flint community.

“We want the community to learn about and become supporters of the entrepreneurs who donate a mystery box to the event. We also hope they feel inspired to explore their own ideas. Seeing and experiencing this event will showcase 100K Ideas’ commitment to local and small businesses as well as provide a safe space to cultivate ideas,” said Williams.

The “Mystery Box” Auction will also feature food, drinks, and activities for community members to engage in.

100K Ideas is a Flint-based nonprofit organization designed to help innovators shift from idea to finished product, and provides real-world experience and services to aspiring entrepreneurs, primarily college students.

The organization works to help address the unmet needs of entrepreneurship while providing a platform and network of support for economic and workforce development. as a driver of empowerment in Flint and for innovators everywhere.

To learn more about the Mystery Auction fundraiser and to purchase tickets, visit: 100kideas.org/events