Local entrepreneurial event, live pitch competition set for November 2
October 4, 2023
Council Bluffs, IA, October 4, 2023 - Advance Southwest Iowa, in partnership with TS Bank, will host REV, a pitch competition with $20,000 in prize money, on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. at the Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center. Event tickets are on sale now.
Attendees will have the opportunity to watch pitches from five REV finalists, all local entrepreneurs and business owners, beginning at 4:00 p.m. They will also have the chance to meet the five finalists as well as five additional 'spotlight' entrepreneurs to learn more about their businesses, network with other guests and enjoy food from Fig & Honey and Lilypops, as well as enjoy a signature drink. Additionally, a $500 "People's Choice Award" will be selected based upon audience voting of the five 'spotlight' entrepreneurs.
This year’s finalists include Bev’s Porch of Neola, Entry Envy of Omaha, O Cookie O’s of Council Bluffs, Gillett Hauling of Underwood and Judge Richard Distillery of Carson.
At the end of the evening (approximately 6:30 p.m.), the winners will be announced. The event is open to the public and the cost to attend is $10. Visit tsbank.com/revevent for tickets.
TS Bank originally started REV in 2015 in an effort to spur economic growth and encourage business owners to continue pursuing their dreams. Since then, TS Bank and Advance Southwest Iowa have teamed up to run the competition and host the signature event. As of today, $118,000 has been awarded through this program.
Major premier sponsors include TS Bank, Advance Southwest Iowa, Iowa Western Community College, PowerTech and Tandem Works. Additional sponsors include food sponsor Castle and Associates Inc., drink sponsor InnoVenture Iowa and media sponsor Bluffs Country 106.5. Plus, Nebraska Enterprise Fund who is also helping sponsor the People's Choice Award, Greater Omaha Chamber, Google, Goosmann Law Firm, Growth Guru, Rachel Dorr Accounting and Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce.
This year’s judges include Matt Mancuso from Iowa Western Community College, Josh Kallsen from PowerTech, Vivian Kvam from Tandem Works and Kaylee Williams with InnoVenture Iowa.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Niki Ferguson at Advance Southwest Iowa at 402.720.8799 or Kelsey Stupfell at TS Bank by calling 712.487.0334. To read more about the history of REV, visit our webpage.
About TS Bank: TS Bank’s mission is to Ignite Prosperity® in the communities it serves. Leading the resurgence of community banking, TS Bank reinvests 10 percent of their net income locally; hosting educational events and partners with local organizations and non-profits. TS Bank was chartered in 1923 and has $365 million in assets, along with the largest Iowa state-chartered C-Corp trust department west of Des Moines at nearly $218 million in assets named TS Prosperity Group. Locations include Treynor, Macedonia, Atlantic, Corning, Council Bluffs and Ames, Iowa. For more information visit tsbank.com.
About Advance Southwest Iowa: Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation is the economic development organization for Council Bluffs and all communities in Pottawattamie County. Advance is a one-stop shop for economic development with a focus on business attraction, retention, entrepreneurship and site development. The Advance staff are proud to work alongside our many community partners to enhance the image and increase the tax base to make Pottawattamie County a prosperous and desirable community to live and do business. For more information visit advancesouthwestiowa.com.