TS Bank has partnered with Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation and several other local companies to host REV, a small business pitch competition where $13,000 will be distributed to one or more entrepreneurs. Applications are due September 10, 2022.
From the pool of applicants, TS Bank and Advance Southwest Iowa will select up to five businesses to pitch and be judged on all aspects of their business in front of a judges panel and live audience on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
“We invite local businesses to pitch their current or future business idea for a chance to win actual money. We want to help create a positive ecosystem for startups and for more business dreams to become a reality. REV is a great step toward that goal,” said TS Bank Senior Vice President of Business Banking, Dave Wise.
To apply, visit https://www.tsbank.com/rev and download the REV application. The application deadline is September 10, 2022.
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 $100,000 has been awarded through this program.
At last year’s event, Viva Fit Kitchen, a one-of-a-kind authentic Mexican, meal prep company received the grand prize of $12,000 to help make healthy food convenient and affordable as well as help with two new fridges, licensing and inventory costs. The Occasional Collective, a unique storefront was also awarded $3,000 to build on the company’s thoughtfully curated, sustainably focused and locally sources goods including small batch, handcrafted items.
For this year’s competition, TS Bank has contributed $5,000 and Advance Southwest Iowa has contributed $2,500 to the prize money. Additional funds were raised via sponsorships. Major sponsors include Nebraska Enterprise Fund, Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce and POWERTECH along with additional sponsors, Castle and Associates, Inc., Rachel Dorr Accounting, Vistage and Tandem Works.
“We enjoy partnering with TS Bank to host REV in southwest Iowa. The prizes awarded through REV can act as a catalyst for growth, but we realized last year that the impact of the pitch competition goes far beyond the money, the connections made can actually be more significant,” said Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation Entrepreneurial Development Manager, Niki Ferguson.
This year’s live pitch event will be held on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 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, 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.