The Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union Idea Leap Grant Contest application is open now through October 27, 2025 at 5 pm.
For those businesses in the 17-county TVFCU community that meet eligibility requirements, this is an opportunity that should not be missed. Some of the basic eligibility requirements are the your business is within the 17-county area; you have been in business at least one year; annual revenues are no greater than $2.5 million; and minimum 2 employees (including owner) and maximum 25 employees including owner. Please review the TVFCU.com website for further requirements.
During this workshop, we will go over the application questions and give pointers on how best to form your answers. Our goal is for you to have the best application possible that tells the story of your business and how this grant funding can help you achieve your business goals.
This workshop will be held following the TVFCU briefing event at the McMinn County Higher Education Center in Athens, Tennessee.
APPLICATION AND JUDGING TIMELINE: • Application period: Friday, September 26, 2025 – Monday, October 27, 2025, closing at 5 p.m. Eastern time • Quarterfinalist Selection period: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Friday, December 5, 2025 • Quarterfinalist announcement: Monday, December 8, 2025 • Video Submission Period (Quarterfinalists only): Tuesday, December 9, 2025 – Monday, December 29, 2025, closing at 5 p.m. Eastern time • Semifinalist Selection period: Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – Thursday, January 29, 2026 • Semifinalist Announcement: Friday, January 30, 2026 • Semifinalist Site Visits: Monday, February 9, 2026 – Friday, March 27, 2026 • People’s Choice Award Finalist Public Voting: Monday, March 30, 2026 – Friday, April 3, 2026, closing at 5 p.m. Eastern time • People’s Choice Winner Announcement: Monday, April 6, 2026 • Finalist Announcement: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Speaker(s): Jennie DeCook, Director Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Cleveland State Community College
Co-Sponsor(s):
Fee: No Cost