The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) has announced the Top 16 products to advance in the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition, moving the contest into its next phase of public voting. The annual contest, now in its third year, highlights innovative products manufactured across the state, and this year’s top 16 includes Beer Caves, manufactured by Leer, Inc. out of Carroll, and the Arena Renegade Basketball Hoop, made by Spalding in Jefferson. Leer’s walk-in coolers keep beverages cold at gas stations, grocery stores, and liquor stores across the Midwest, and Spalding’s high-quality hoops are featured in gyms and arenas across North America. Beginning today (Friday), the remaining products will compete in a bracket-style tournament, with the public voting in head-to-head matchups to determine which entries advance. ABI President Nicole Crain says, “This is where the competition really comes to life. These Top 16 products represent the very best of Iowa manufacturing — innovative, high-quality, and made right here in our state. Now it’s up to Iowans to help decide which product rises to the top.” This round of voting will remain open through midnight on April 22, with participants allowed to vote once per day in each matchup at www.coolestthingia.com. Several additional voting rounds will be held until the winner of the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa contest is announced on June 3 during ABI’s Taking Care of Business Conference in Des Moines.
