Treynor, Iowa-based TS Bank and Advance Southwest Iowa awarded $19,000 to two businesses for this year’s REV pitch competition.
This year’s winners included Iowa-based ag tech startup Terraform Tillage with $15,000 and Council Bluffs, Iowa-based My Nurse Healthcare at $4,000.
Terraform Tillage expects to use the funds to quicken the research and development process for its smartphone-enabled soil hardness determination system and soil compaction kit for tillage implements.
“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 Terraform Tillage Founder Josh Jeske.
My Nurse Healthcare provides nurse concierge and personal care services. The organization acts as a liaison between patients and doctors, offering communication, support and guidance. My Nurse Healthcare expects to use the funds for virtual dementia training for employees as well as CPR manikins, expanding client services in southwest Iowa.
“The My Nurse Healthcare team will use these funds to pay it forward with our education and health care services locally,” said owner Julie Wyssman. “We also want to advocate for the REV event and other entrepreneurs. We are so very thankful.”
The three other entrepreneur finalists included Bellevue, Iowa-based Breeze Bakery; Minden, Iowa-based grocery store Countryside Market; and The Lilypop Shop of Treynor.
Council Bluffs Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy was named this year’s People’s Choice Award winner, receiving a $500 cash prize.
For the first time, this year’s event included awards to entrepreneurs and companies in two categories: REVolutionary Business of the Year, which was awarded to PowerTech. Matt Johnson, owner of Barley’s Bar and Railway Inn, was named entrepreneur of the year.
TS Bank started REV nearly a decade ago to spark economic growth and encourage business owners. In 2020, Advance Southwest Iowa Corp. and TS Bank collaborated to double the impact of the event. As of last week, $157,000 had been awarded through the program.
