The Bank of Tioga REV - Small Business Pitch Competition
Since 1951, The Bank of Tioga has been helping communities grow and prosper. Our sole mission is to create community prosperity in all the communities we serve and at The Bank of Tioga that is part of everyone's responsibility.
In 2017, we created a small business pitch competition in an effort to spur economic growth and encourage business owners to continue pursuing their dreams. To date, the bank has awarded $75,000 to small businesses.
2023
In partnership with the Tioga Area Economic Development Corporation, The Bank of Tioga awarded $15,000 to three local businesses on Tuesday, October 17 as part of the REV pitch competition, which helps local business owners to ignite their business. This event alternates being hosted in Tioga and Crosby each year, with this year being held at the Tioga Movie Theatre. To read more about the event and meet our 2023 winners, see our press release here.
Game Day Media
GameDay Media, a broadcasting & media production company featuring high school sports, plans to use the $6,500 to expand their technology to help enhance their broadcasts of both local and regional covered events.
Grow Crosby LLC (The Bypass Restaurant and Lounge)
Grow Crosby LCC, operates The ByPass Restaurant and Lounge in Crsoby and took home $4,500. They plan to use the funds for building a website that will not only attract customers to their business, but also to their community.
The Cleaning Genie
The Cleaning Genie, a local cleaning service based out of the Tioga area, was awarded $4,000 and plans to use the funds to help expand their business to offer an added service of commercial window cleaning to their clients.
2022
In partnership with the Tioga Economic Development Corporation, The Bank of Tioga awarded $15,000 to three local businesses on Thursday, November 10 as part of the REV pitch competition, which helps local business owners to ignite their business. This event alternates being hosted in Tioga and Crosby each year, with this year being held at the Divide County Courthouse in Crosby. To read more about the event and meet our 2022 winners, see our press release here.
JTH Portables
JTH Portables, a local portable toilet business serving the surrounding area, took home the grand prize of $6,000 to put toward the cost of constructing a customized large, portable to better serve their oilfield clientele.
Solid Ice Embroidery
Solid Ice Embroidery, a local, start-up embroidery, sublimation and vinyl business also serving surrounding area was awarded $5,000 to help purchase a commercial embroidery machine. This will allow the owner to mass produce items, as well as embroidery all different types of materials.
The Plant Place
The Plant Place is a greenhouse serving the surrounding area, was awarded $4,000 to purchase new planting tables to replace the worn tables that have been there for decades, promoting a safer and more appealing space for their clients.
2021
Again this year, The Bank of Tioga hosted the competition in partnership with Tioga Area Economic Development Corporation offering entrepreneurs and business owners the chance to win up to $15,000 to "Ignite Their Business." Applications were due Tuesday, October 5 and pitches were held on Friday, November 5, at the Tioga Theatre. To read more about the event and meet our 2021 winners, see our press release here.
Blue Raven Trading Company
Blue Raven Trading Company, a freeze dry food company, took home the grand prize of $7,200 to purchase more freeze dry machines and increase food product selection and inventory.
Back Shed Treasures LLC
Back Shed Treasures LLC, a local preschool, was awarded $4,200 to purchase new locker systems, tables and chairs.
Luxe Beauty Bar LLC
Luxe Beauty Bar LLC, a salon and beauty service business, was awarded $2,400 to purchase two permanent client tables for lash and makeup clients as they are currently borrowing tables now.
Haugland Enterprises Inc.
Haugland Enterprises Inc., an independent insurance, company was awarded $1,200 to purchase more technology to better meet the needs of their clients and be able to generate quotes on-site.
2020
REV 2020 took place on November 6, 2020, virtually! Meet our four winners below!
Queen Divas Heavenly Maids Cleaning Services
Queen Divas Heavenly Maids Cleaning Services was awarded $5,000 to help purchase equipment and to get a professional website. Carmel and Virgil’s business has been in high demand among the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joyful Living
Joyful Living was awarded $5,000 to assist the remodel of a building to become a long-term wellness center on the main level, the upper story apartments available for rent and the basement a space for yoga and other wellness classes.
Haugland Insurance Services
Haugland Insurance Services was awarded $3,000 to put a digital sign in the front of their building and additional marketing services. This will also help to advertise the other tenants in the building.
A to Z Grooming
A to Z Grooming was awarded $2,000 to defer some of the costs to expand the pet boarding side of their business.
2019
REV 2019 took place on November 7, 2019, at The Bank of Tioga. Meet the five winners below!
BLACK GOLD DANCE - $3,500
The prize money will be used to remodel the old post office in Tioga, turning it into a dance studio, which they hope to be moved into by January 2020.
HYGGE HILLS - $1,750
The awarded funds will be used to build a small tractor-train to pull kids and adults around at Hygge Hills, as well as at local events such as the Divide County Fair, Threshing Bee, Parades, Christmas Stroll.
CROSBY SELF-SERVE - $1,750
Plans for this business’ future include new booths for the restaurant, which will help improve the atmosphere in the restaurant.
Northern Prairie Market - $1,500
Morgan Jacobs will use these funds to enhance the business' marketing campaign, which includes a rebrand of the company and launching a website. The company is passionate about providing food that is healthy and raised humanely, and the creation of their website will allow them to tell the story of how food should be raised, allow them to take online orders, and create a place where they can interact with their customers.
In The Potter's Hand - $1,500
They will use their winnings to assist in their online marketing efforts, ensuring a good website setup to support their business.
2018
REV 2018 took place on November 16, 2018, at The Bank of Tioga. Meet the three winners below!
JUST OFF MAIN - $3,600
With the prize money they will make improvements to their private dining/meeting room. This will include the purchase and installation of a screen, projector and sound equipment to be used for community meetings, workshops and birthday parties.
BEVERLY'S CAFE - $3,400
They plan to purchase and install a new soft serve ice cream machine in their restaurant as well as repair and replace old equipment to help make their kitchen more functional.
HENNY'S - $3,000
Plans for this business’ future include an expansion in their food menu to offer healthy lunch options such as homemade soups, sandwiches, fruit and veggie cups. With their winnings, they intend to purchase a new sandwich prep table and glass front refrigerator for their new expanded menu.
2017
REV 2017 took place on November 17, 2017, at The Bank of Tioga. Meet the three winners below!
HIDDEN BEAUTY SALON & SPA - $3,500
With the $3,500, Hidden Beauty Salon & Spa will be looking to purchase a red-light therapy bed.
FRANDSEN LANDSCAPING: FALL FEST ON THE FARM - $3,500
Frandsen Landscaping will put their $3,500 prize toward insulating their shop and pouring concrete.
STEMS & SALVAGE - $3,000
With the $3,000 prize money, Stems & Salvage would like to purchase supplies for more hands-on classes and widen the inventory available for purchase.