Winners for REV, small business pitch competition announced
November 8, 2024
Council Bluffs, IA, November 8, 2024 - Advance Southwest Iowa and TS Bank, along with several community sponsors, are pleased to announce the winners of the REV pitch competition held Thursday, November 7 at Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center where small business owners competed for the chance of $19,000 to grow their business. This year's winners include Terraform Tillage with $15,000 and My Nurse Healthcare at $4,000.
Terraform Tillage, an Iowa-based ag-tech startup, launched its revolutionary SmartProbe System, a patented technology designed to enhance the accuracy and ease of soil compaction mapping. With its innovative app and mounting kit, ag producers can now attach a smartphone directly to a soil penetrometer, transforming traditional readings into real-time data visualizations. The company also revealed a spring compression tool called the Tillage Tuner for the first-time publicly at the event.
Pictured Above: Josh Jeske owner of Terraform Tillage stands on stage with Veronica, Niki and Austin with the grand prize of $15,000
"I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity! This pitch competition has not only provided vital funding for my business, but also reinforced my belief in the importance of innovation in agriculture," said Josh Jeske, founder of Terraform Tillage.
He continued, "I would encourage entrepreneurs to pursue their vision with passion and resiliency. Every setback is a learning opportunity, and every success is a step towards making a real difference. Stay true to your mission and seek out opportunities like this REV event!"
Terraform Tillage plans to use the $15,000 funds to accelerate research and development for smartphone-enhanced soil penetrometer system and soil compaction sensing kit for tillage implements helping farmers. The company represents a significant step forward in ag producer efficiency and sustainable agriculture.
My Nurse Healthcare of Council Bluffs is dedicated to providing nurse concierge and personal care services, uniquely tailored to meet the individual needs of each patient. With experienced nurse advocates at the heart of its services, My Nurse Healthcare acts as a trusted liaison between patients and doctors, ensuring clear communication, support and personalized guidance through each patient’s healthcare journey.
Pictured above: Julie Wyssman and team members gather for a group photo with their $4,000 prize
My Nurse Healthcare plans to use the funds of $4,000 for virtual dementia training for employees as well as new CPR manikins. This will elevate the personal care for new and current patients and expand their client services in the southwest Iowa area.
"I am so excited to have been part of REV. The My Nurse Healthcare team will use these funds to pay it forward with our education and healthcare services locally. We also want to advocate for the REV event and other entrepreneurs. We are so very thankful," said Julie Wyssman, owner of My Nurse Healthcare.
This year's emcee was Matt Wilber, Pottawattamie County Attorney. Judges included Jim Reiff with Nebraska Enterprise Fund, Mike Wooten of Google, Kimberly Schneckloth from The Acres, Vivian Kvam from Tandem Works. After the pitches, judges deliberated behind the scenes and determined the distribution of funds.
The other three entrepreneur finalists included Breeze Bakery of Bellevue and Kitchen Council member, Countryside Market, a local grocery store based in Minden and The Lilypop Shop of Treynor. Last night’s pitches took place in front of a record-breaking live audience with over 240 people in attendance.
This year’s spotlight businesses included Serenity Massage & Energywork (Council Bluffs), Sprout Marketing Solutions (Underwood), Bev’s Porch (Neola), Council Bluffs Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy (Council Bluffs) and Mulholland Grocery (Malvern). Through an audience QR code polling system, Council Bluffs Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy was selected as this year’s People’s Choice Award winner receiving a $500 cash prize.
Pictured Above: Council Bluffs Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy celebrating their $500 People's Choice Award.
Attendees met with all participants to learn more about their business ventures, networked with other entrepreneurial-minded guests and enjoyed food from Kitchen Council member and 2021 REV winner, Viva Fit Kitchen and signature drinks from 2020 REV winner, Full Fledged Brewing Company.
New this year, included a new awards series to entrepreneurs and companies in two categories: REVolutionary Business of the Year awarded to PowerTech, with Cody Forristall and Josh Kallsen representing the company and Entrepreneur of the Year awarded to Matt Johnson, owner of Barley's Bar and Railway Inn. Both awards recognize transformative achievements, remarkable growth, and the powerful stories of entrepreneurs shaping the local community’s future.
Pictured left: REVolutionary Business of the year winner Cody and Josh with PowerTech pose with Niki with ASWI
Pictured Right: Entrepreneur of the year winner Matt pose with Niki with ASWI
Major premier sponsors include TS Bank, Advance Southwest Iowa, Google, Tandem Works, The Acres and Nebraska Enterprise Fund. This year's food sponsor is Castle and Associates Inc. while InnoVenture Iowa is the drink sponsor. Gold sponsors include the Greater Omaha Chamber, Iowa Western Community College, Full Fledged Brewery Company, Big Prana Microgreens. Silver sponsors are Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, Vistage, Aflac, Dave Lyon Towing & Repair LLC, Gillette Hauling and Nesting Grounds. Additionally, the Kitchen Council and Fox Creek Fundraising are bronze sponsors, and Bluffs Country 106.5 is this year's media sponsor.
TS Bank originally started REV in 2015 in an effort to spur economic growth and encourage business owners to continue pursuing their dreams. Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation and TS Bank teamed up in 2020, to help double the impact of the event and build upon the small business ecosystem in southwest Iowa. As of today, $157,000 has been awarded through this program.
If you have any questions or would like to know more about REV, 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.
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.
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 $445 million in assets, along with the largest Iowa state-chartered C-Corp trust department west of Des Moines at nearly $215 million in assets named TS Prosperity Group. Locations include Treynor, Macedonia, Atlantic, Corning, Council Bluffs and Ames, Iowa. For more information visit tsbank.com.