Small business pitch competition, REV applications now open
July 10, 2023
Council Bluffs, Iowa, July 10, 2023 - TS Bank has partnered with Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation and several other local companies to host REV, a small business pitch competition where $15,000 will be distributed to one or more entrepreneurs. Applications are due September 10, 2023.
From the pool of applicants, a third-party committee will select up to five businesses to pitch on all aspects of their business in front of a judges panel and live audience on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center.
“We invite local businesses to pitch their current or future business idea for a chance to earn more capital. We want to help elevate startups and for more small business dreams to become a reality in the southwest Iowa region,” said TS Banking Group President of Community Banking, Dave Wise.
To apply, visit https://www.tsbank.com/rev and download the REV application. The application deadline is September 10, 2023.
TS Bank originally started REV in 2015 in an effort to spur economic growth and encourage business owners to continue pursuing their dreams. As of today, over $118,000 has been awarded through this program.
At last year's event, Nesting Grounds, a coffee shop and gathering place in Underwood received $10,000 for a new drive-through and walk-up light up menu boards, microphone system, headsets, patio lighting, shades and an outdoor speaker system. Fermented Felon, a business making handcrafted kombucha using natural ingredients with a cause helping felons through fellowship, fortitude and friendship was also awarded $4,000 for two new 1,000-liter variable volume fermenters to help defray production costs.
Major premier sponsors include TS Bank, Advance Southwest Iowa, Iowa Western Community College and Tandem Works. Additional sponsors include food sponsor Castle and Associates Inc., drink sponsor InnoVenture Iowa and media sponsor Bluffs Country 106.5. Plus, Nebraska Enterprise Fund who is also helping sponsor the People's Choice Awards, as well as the Greater Omaha Chamber and Rachel Dorr Accounting.
“We enjoy partnering with TS Bank to host REV in southwest Iowa. The prizes awarded through REV can act as a catalyst for growth and realize the impact of the pitch competition goes far beyond the funds, as connections made are just as significant,” said Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation Entrepreneurial Development Manager, Niki Ferguson.
This year’s live pitch event will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center and will be open to the public. Additional details will be shared at a later date.
If you have any questions or are interested in being a sponsor, please reach out to Kelsey Stupfell at TS Bank by calling 712.487.0334 or Niki Ferguson at Advance Southwest Iowa at 402.720.8799.
About Advance Southwest Iowa: Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation is the economic development organization for Council Bluffs and all communities in Pottawattamie County. Advance is a one-stop shop for economic development with a focus on business attraction, retention, entrepreneurship and site development. The Advance staff are proud to work alongside our many community partners to enhance the image and increase the tax base to make Pottawattamie County a prosperous and desirable community to live and do business. For more information visit advancesouthwestiowa.com.
About TS Bank: TS Bank’s mission is to Ignite Prosperity® in the communities it serves. Leading the resurgence of community banking, TS Bank reinvests 10 percent of their net income locally; hosting educational events and partners with local organizations and non-profits. TS Bank was chartered in 1923 and has $365 million in assets, along with the largest Iowa state-chartered C-Corp trust department west of Des Moines at nearly $218 million in assets named TS Prosperity Group. Locations include Treynor, Macedonia, Atlantic, Corning, Council Bluffs and Ames, Iowa. For more information visit tsbank.com.