People's Choice Voting Now Open!
Help a local small business turn their dreams into a reality! The People's Choice winner will compete to win either $10,000, $15,000, or $30,000. Vote for the business you think is most deserving of the $30,000 grand prize. Voting is open from 8:00 a.m. on March 31 through 5 p.m. on April 4.
New voters must verify their votes via email for them to be counted. Once your ballot says 'Voted,' your vote has been counted. You may only vote once per region (for a total of three allowed times).
TVFCU invites everyone to watch the Pitch Competitions for Northwest Georgia and the Ocoee region on Local 3 News. The community is also invited to join TVFCU for the Chambliss Startup Social and Chattanooga Pitch Competition. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and networking, sponsored by Chambliss, starting at 4:30 p.m. Then, get ready to watch the magic live and cheer on your favorite contestants at the Chattanooga Idea Leap Pitch Competition.
Northwest Georgia Pitch Competition: May 5, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Local 3 News
Ocoee Region Pitch Competition: May 6, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Local 3 News
Chambliss Startup Social: 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. at the Signal
Sponsored by: 
Chattanooga Pitch Competition: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Signal
Please RSVP for this event.
TVFCU is giving away $225,000 in grants to small businesses in 2025!
2025 Semifinalists
Idea Leap Grant Calendar 2025
| Peoples' Choice Voting | Mar. 31 - April 4 (5 p.m. EST cutoff) |
| Peoples' Choice Announcement | April 7 |
| Top 5 Finalist Announcement | April 8 |
| CBRC's Chattanooga Entrepreneur Week, presented by TVFCU |
May 5, 6, & 7 Visit their website for more details |
|
Live Shows Airing - News 3 |
May 5 (Northwest Georgia Competition) May 6 (Ocoee Competition) Both 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
| Arts Build's Periscope CHA Pitch Night & Entrepreneur Showcase, sponsored by TVFCU |
May 7 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. |
| Chambliss Startup Social & Chattanooga Pitch Night |
May 8 @ The Signal 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. |
Northwest Georgia's Cake Addicts wins $30,000 in 7th Annual Idea Leap Grant
7th Annual Idea Leap Grant Chattanooga Region winners and finalists
Sleepyhead Coffee wins $20,000 in 2022
Ocoee Riverside Farms take home $30,000 in 7th Annual Idea Leap Grant Contest
Dr. Little wins the top prize in the first-ever Northwest Georgia Area Idea Leap Grant
The Local Juicery presents their pitch in 2023
Please review the competition rules in full before applying.
REGLAS OFICIALES PARA EL CONCURSO DE APOYOS ECONÓMICOS “IDEA LEAP” DE TVFCU
The History and Impact of Idea Leap
Idea Leap Loan
TVFCU started the Idea Leap Loan program in 2016 to fill a void in the community for capital for start-up and early-stage businesses.
Idea Leap Grant
In 2018, after two very successful years of Idea Leap Loans, TVFCU started the Idea Leap Grant to reinvest proceeds from the loan program back into the local small business ecosystem. In the first Idea Leap Grant, the credit union awarded $52,500 in grants, with the Chattanooga School of Language winning the top prize of $20,000. In 2022, to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the grant program, TVFCU awarded a $50,000 grant to Be Caffeinated - the largest Idea Leap Grant to-date. In 2023, TVFCU expanded the program once again by hosting separate Idea Leap Grant competitions in the Chattanooga, Ocoee and Northwest Georgia regions. In 2024, the credit union awarded $75,000 in grants in each of the three areas, investing $225,000 in 15 locally owned businesses.
Nearly 60 unique businesses have received Idea Leap Grants. Through grants and scholarships, the program has invested over $720,000 in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.