People’s Choice Voting: Idea Leap 2026

TVFCU is calling on community members to vote for a People’s Choice Finalist in each region of its annual Idea Leap Grant Competition. All finalists (including those selected by People’s Choice voting) are guaranteed at least $10,000 to help them take their business to the next level.

Voting opens on March 30 at 8 a.m. and closes on April 3 at 5 p.m. ET. To vote, visit tvfcu.com/vote, select a regional competition to view semifinalists in that area and watch videos showcasing their businesses. Simply click “vote” and enter a valid email address. Each person may only vote once in each competition.

“We’re excited to invite the community to be a part of the Idea Leap journey by voting for the People’s Choice Finalist,” said Dionne Jenkins, vice president of corporate engagement at TVFCU. “Each of these entrepreneurs is bringing bold ideas and real passion to our region, and this is a chance for the community to show their support. When people engage, vote, and share these stories, they’re helping lift up small businesses and shape the future of innovation across our 17-county service area.”

Semifinalists are vying for a total of 15 grants worth $225,000. During each regional pitch event, several grants will be awarded: the top prize in each region is $30,000, second place earns $15,000, and three additional finalists will each receive $10,000.

The Chattanooga region semifinalists are:

• Chef Express
• Convenient Cocktail Co.
• Little Tail Farms
• Mindy B’s Deli
• Scenic City Arborists
• Scenic City Wellness
• Shaq’s Mobile Detailing
• Southside Vet Clinic
• Windy City Eatz
• Yellow Racket Records

The Ocoee region semifinalists are:

• Bradley Tree Service
• Copperhill Brewery and Ocoee River Distilling
• The Drug Store Benton
• First Bloom Coffee and Bakery
• Fitted Stitches
• Heat N Eat
• Integrated Solutions of TN
• Mona & Larry’s
• Polk Physical Therapy
• Quality Cleaning Services

The Northwest Georgia region semifinalists are:

• Band Instrument Repair Academy
• Estela’s Taqueria
• Grace Hair Company
• KB Pressure Washing
• Lookout Mountain Flight Park
• Made By Kourmoulis
• Mayelli Meza
• Ragged Oak Farm
• Rise Wellness
• Stout Healthcare

This year, Local 3 News will premiere pitch competitions for the Northwest Georgia and Ocoee regions during the week of May 4. On the evening of May 7, TVFCU will hold an in-person pitch competition at The Signal for the Chattanooga region finalists. RSVP information will be available in the coming weeks. Follow TVFCU on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates, or visit tvfcu.com/idealeap.