For TVFCU’s 8th Annual Idea Leap Grant, the credit union is awarding a total of $225,000 in grants to local small business owners in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. Entrepreneurs will participate in regional pitch competitions, each taking home a grant between $10,000 and $30,000.
“Since the inception of the Idea Leap Grant in 2018, we have invested over $720,000 in grants and scholarships to dozens of outstanding small businesses in our area,” said Tommy Nix, vice president of business and commercial services.
“After this year’s competitions, we will have reached nearly $1 million in giveback.”
There will be three pitch competitions in total; two of them, the Northwest Georgia and Ocoee regional contests, will be televised on Local 3 News. The Chattanooga regional contest will be held at The Signal, and Chambliss will host a reception before the pitch night with hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music and networking.
2025 Idea Leap Grant events include:
Northwest Georgia Region:
• Date: Monday, May 5
• Time: 11 a.m. – noon
• Place: On Local 3 News
Bobbi Jo Brooks Fine Art & Photography, Gowin Valley Farms, Red Eyed Rooster Coffee Co., Rosie Mae’s Alpaca Farm and Top End Fabrication will compete to win the grand prize of $30,000.
Ocoee Region:
• Date: Tuesday, May 6
• Time: 11 a.m. – noon
• Place: On Local 3 News
Bigfoot Outfitters, Flory Custom Woodworking, Frazier’s Fabrication, Theme Fusion and Visionary Motorsports & Fabrication will compete to win the grand prize of $30,000.
Chattanooga Region:
Chambliss Startup Social
• Date: Thursday, May 8
• Time: 4:30 – 6 p.m.
• Place: The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave. in Chattanooga
Chambliss will provide hors d’oeuvres and drinks in a lively atmosphere with music and networking.
Chattanooga Pitch Competition
• Date: Thursday, May 8
• Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
• Place: The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave. in Chattanooga
Bird Fork Farm, Cha Cha Masala Chai, Jordan Ariel Agency, Scenic City Therapy and Tiny Tigers Learning Center will compete to win the grand prize of $30,000.
RSVP to the event
here.
For more information about the Idea Leap Grant, visit tvfcu.com/IdeaLeap.