LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — Nearly 20 individuals prepared to pitch their ideas and inventions for a prize at this year's Match Box Start-Up Weekend on Saturday.

This event was designed to give up and coming entrepreneurs an opportunity to put their skills into practice. Attendees range from college students to owners of small businesses already in the community.

On Saturday, attendees learned how to fundraise for their inventions and ideas.

Match Box Curator Coordinator Emily Carter said this event has brought many entrepreneurs success through the years.

“These prize packages are really meant to help them move that startup forward and what we found over time since we've been doing it for a few years now is that those startups that win those prize packages, they really do move forward and they continue to exist today,” said Carter.

Saturday’s Keynote Speaker Jordan French has multiple business ventures currently underway. He said Greater Lafayette is a great place for new entrepreneurs.

“The best opportunities are right around them, right in front of their noses and those can be very local and right here. Some of the biggest companies in the world are headquartered within 500 miles and even 15 miles of Lafayette, Indiana,” said French.

The weekend of events began Friday and ends Monday, Sept. 23. The entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas to a local marketer and lawyer who are judging the event.