The Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union Idea Leap Grant Contest application is open September 25, 2026 through October 26, 2026.
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 that 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.
Our staff have been on the judges' panel for many years for this and other pitch contests, so we can give you tips based on what we have seen done well and not so well.
This workshop will be held in the George R. Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship - Technology building, Room 116, main campus of Cleveland State.
APPLICATION AND JUDGING TIMELINE:
• Application period: Friday, September 25, 2026 – Monday, October 26, 2026, closing at 5
p.m. Eastern time
• Quarterfinalist Selection period: To be announced
• Quarterfinalist announcement: To be announced
• Video Submission Period (Quarterfinalists only): To be announced
• Semifinalist Selection period:
• Semifinalist Announcement:
• Semifinalist Site Visits:
• People’s Choice Award Finalist Public Voting:
• People’s Choice Winner Announcement:
• Finalist Announcement:
Speaker(s): Jennie DeCook, Director Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Cleveland State Community College
Co-Sponsor(s):
Fee: No Cost