“Idea Leap Grant” competition will award $225,000 to 15 businesses
It's the eighth annual edition of the event that is hosted by the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union.
More than 375 local businesses applied for the eighth annual “Idea Leap Grant” competition hosted by the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union (TVFCU).
Leaning on the expertise of area business leaders serving as volunteer judges, TVFCU reduced this group to quarterfinalists who each submitted videos showcasing their business. Based on the video submissions, semifinalists were selected in each competition and were asked to provide the judges with a tour of their business. After these site visits, TVFCU hosted a voting period open to the public that selected one People’s Choice Finalist by popular vote in each region. The other finalists were selected by each regional panel of judges.
Now, with the finalists in each of three regions selected, it is time for the competitions. The first two for Northwest Georgia and Ocoee Region will be held on May 5 and May 6, respectively, and will be televised by WRCB-TV. The Chattanooga pitch competition will happen in person at 6 p.m. EDT on May 8 at The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave. The event is open to the public. To register, click on this link.
First place will receive $30,000, second place $15,000, and the runner-ups will each receive $10,000. That’s $225,000 in total that will be provided to the 15 finalists, who are:
Chattanooga Region
- Bird Fork Farm
- Cha Cha Masala Chai
- Jordan Ariel Agency (People’s Choice Winner)
- Scenic City Therapy
- Tiny Tigers Learning Center
Ocoee Region
- Bigfoot Outfitters
- Flory Custom Woodworking
- Frazier’s Fabrication
- Theme Fusion
- Visionary Motorsports & Fabrication (People’s Choice Winner)
Northwest Georgia Region
- Bobbi Jo Brooks Fine Art & Photography
- Gowin Valley Farms (People’s Choice Winner)
- Red Eyed Rooster Coffee Co.
- Rosie Mae’s Alpaca Farm
- Top End Fabrication
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