Growth for many small businesses often depends on borrowing money. For this year’s recipients of Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union’s Idea Leap grants, expansion will come without adding debt to the balance sheet.
TVFCU recently awarded $225,000 to 15 businesses across Chattanooga, Northwest Georgia and the Ocoee region through its annual Idea Leap Grant Pitch Competition, continuing a program that has invested more than $1 million in entrepreneurs since its inception nine years ago.
Five Chattanooga businesses earned grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 after presenting their companies before a panel of volunteer judges.
Taking home the competition’s top award was Windy City Eatz, which received a $30,000 grant. Owner Yashic “Sheka” Ransom founded the business in 2021, introducing authentic Chicago-style cuisine to Chattanooga through a food truck before expanding into a restaurant and catering operation.
Ransom says participating in the competition was valuable beyond the funding.
“It helped me think about how to take my business to the next level,” she told Business Trend, a publication of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. “If I had the opportunity to do it again, I definitely would.”
The grant will allow Windy City Eatz to purchase and outfit a dedicated catering van, expanding the company’s ability to serve events while creating additional jobs.
Shaq’s Mobile Detailing received the competition’s $15,000 second-place award.
Owner Shaquille Holland launched the company in 2019, growing it into one of Chattanooga’s best-known mobile detailing businesses.
According to Business Trend, the grant will help finance a second detailing vehicle, upgraded technology and a youth apprenticeship program designed to provide hands-on training for young adults interested in the trade.
Three businesses each received $10,000 grants.
Chef Express, which operates a food truck, catering business and restaurant on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s West Campus, plans to install solar panels on its food truck to reduce operating costs and improve energy efficiency.
Mindy B’s Deli will use its grant to expand into an adjoining suite, increasing seating and workspace after nearly 14 years serving made-from-scratch sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts.
Yellow Racket Records plans to invest its grant in long-awaited improvements to its retail space.
Owner Ben VanderHart said receiving grant funding is especially meaningful for an independent record store operating in a business with thin profit margins.
“Winning a small business grant from TVFCU is a rare opportunity for a record store like ours,” VanderHart told the Hamilton County Herald. “Usually, grants are only available to nonprofits, and when you’re in a low-margin business like records – or even retail in general – it can be hard to justify taking out loans when the interest rate might be equal to half of your profit.”
The funding will pay for a new checkout counter and updated displays for records, turntables, apparel and other merchandise.
“We’ve been outgrowing much of our retail infrastructure for some time now, but haven’t been able to afford the necessary upgrades,” VanderHart said.
Since opening in 2020, Yellow Racket Records has evolved into more than a retail store, regularly hosting live performances, listening parties and artist events while offering an inventory of more than 13,000 records.
TVFCU created the Idea Leap Grant program to help entrepreneurs secure capital without relying on traditional financing. Since the competition began, the credit union has awarded more than $1 million to businesses across the Tennessee Valley.
In addition to the Chattanooga winners, entrepreneurs in Northwest Georgia and the Ocoee region also received grants through separate Idea Leap competitions this year, bringing the program’s total 2026 investment to $225,000.
The Chattanooga recipients represent a diverse cross-section of the local small-business community, from restaurants and food service companies to automotive services and independent retail.
Collectively, the grants will fund business expansion, equipment purchases, sustainability improvements, workforce development and additional community programming.