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Small Chattanooga business finalists picked for Idea Leap contest, compete for $100,000 in prizes

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union Vice President Tommy Nix, right, presents a check last year to Briana Garza, who was a winner in the Idea Leap contest in 2021. The credit union has doubled its award money this year, and an independent group of judges has named the 10 finalists.
Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union Vice President Tommy Nix, right, presents a check last year to Briana Garza, who was a winner in the Idea Leap contest in 2021. The credit union has doubled its award money this year, and an independent group of judges has named the 10 finalists. Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union Vice President Tommy Nix, right, presents a check last year to Briana Garza, who was a winner in the Idea Leap contest in 2021. The credit union has doubled its award money this year, and an independent group of judges has named the 10 finalists.

By Staff Report 2 min read

CORRECTION: This story was updated at 1:50 p.m. on Sept. 7 to state that Sleepyhead Coffee is a shop. It had previously stated it was a coffee cart.

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Ten Chattanooga entrepreneurs have been chosen as finalists this year in the fifth and biggest Idea Leap competition by the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union.

From among nearly 150 entries by small business owners from the 13 counties served by Chattanooga’s biggest credit union, a panel of independent judges picked the 10 finalists who will compete this fall to win one of five grants – grand prize: $50,000, first place: $20,000, and three runners-up: $10,000.

Another judges panel will select the top winners, but the public also can vote on their favorite startup business to win the People’s Choice awards. People may find out more about the finalists and vote for their favorite at tvfcu.com/vote. The business with the most votes at 5 p.m. EST on Friday will be named the People’s Choice Finalist.

This year’s semifinalists are:

— Be Caffeinated, a chain of four local drive-through coffee shops.

— Bela Co. LLC, a handmade jewelry retailer.

— Bella Star Designs, a print studio that works with artists and photographers.

— Hiit 10 Fitness, a coach-guided workout business in Cleveland, Tennessee.

— Mountain View Low Vision Services, a provider of products, services and rehabilitation for people with vision loss.

— Neutral Ground Chattanooga, a New Orleans-style Po-Boy and Yakamein restaurant.

— NewTerra Compost, a food composting and pickup business that serves homes, businesses and events.

— Sleepyhead Coffee, a coffee shop with vegan pastries.

— Teren Designs, an online retailer of premium outdoor clothing.

— We Clean Chattanooga, a commercial cleaning service.

Tommy Nix, vice president of business and commercial services, said the prize money this year is double what the credit union has previously awarded in the Idea Leap program.

“Small businesses are crucial to our local and nationwide economies, so it’s inspiring to see so many entrepreneurs in the communities we serve,” Nix said in an announcement of the 10 finalists.

The Idea Leap Grant Pitch Competition is scheduled for Oct. 18.

— Compiled by Dave Flessner