The Bank Tank | Fortress Bank | Banking I Illinois & Iowa

Relive the night of our first Bank Tank
event with the video below.

Pitch Your Business Idea. And you could win $20,000!

Fortress Bank continues to recognize the importance of small business owners in our communities and the positive impact they have on our local economies. Our mission is to empower fellow visionaries and small business owners to fulfill their dreams.

Fortress Bank Tank Contest is our version of Shark Tank, where any current business or upstart can pitch their business vision for a chance to win $20,000. Elyce Billany, Fortress Marketing Director, will be hosting the event. Elyce’s side-hustle business was featured on ABC’s Shark Tank.

The pitch contest will take place on February 22, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at a location to be determined. The pitch contest will start after music and drinks in front of a live audience. The winner will be announced at the end of the night. This event is open to the public.

To attend this event as part of our live audience, please RSVP at the link below!

Live Audience RSVP

RSVP today for your spot in the live audience using the link below!

RSVP Here

Bank Tank In The News

Check out the 2022 Bank Tank event featured in the news!

Details

Attendees

You’re invited to a special night of spirited competition. Attendance is first come first serve and seating is limited.

Award

$20,000 to an existing or start-up small business with a bold vision looking to launch a product or service or expand a current product or service.

CRITERIA

Applicant must be 18 years of age or older
If you are a small business owner looking to launch a new product/service or looking to expand your business and wish for an opportunity to present at our Fortress Bank Tank Pitch Contest, please complete the application below.
Applicants must live or do business in the following market areas – Quad Cities, Central Illinois, Western Illinois or Des Moines, IA
Business must be for-profit
If chosen for the next round you will be required to submit a business plan
Applicants do not have to be a customer of Fortress Bank to participate
Fortress Bank employees and Fortress Bank Board of Directors are ineligible

Application

Applicants are asked to submit an online application
Each application will include, name, name of business (or idea), details of your business or concept, and what you will use the money for
Also, please follow us on the following social media platforms
Facebook: @fortressbanktank @bankfortress
Instagram: @Fortressbank
Your applications will stay confidential unless you are chosen as a finalist
If you are chosen as a finalist, we may promote you and/or your business/business idea on our website and social media platforms
A selection committee will screen all applications and (3) three applicants will be selected to pitch their bold vision

Process and notification

A selection committee will screen all applications and (3) three applicants will be selected to pitch their bold vision
Final applicants will be asked to submit final business plans prior to pitching on February 22nd
Applications open on July 31st and close on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
It is difficult to obtain detailed information about the selection committee’s decisions about the applications eventually chosen, so you should not anticipate detailed feedback if your business is not selected
In true Shark Tank style the live presentations will be no longer than 10 minutes. Presentations will be timed and once a presentation has reached its limit, the presenter will be asked to stop immediately
Participants will take part in a brief Q & A with a panel of local successful business owners
The panel will then score based on four categories (idea, business plan, presentation and financials). They will deliberate and select a winner that night.
Selected finalists will receive food, drink and accommodation provided by Fortress

Fortress Bank has additional small business resources to help you manage and grow your business.

If you would like additional resources or have any questions, please contact moc.ssertrofknab@knatknabeht.

The Bank Tank – Apply Now!

Name(Required)

First Last

Business Name(Required)

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

What is your bold vision?(Required)

How did your vision start?(Required)

What unique problem are you solving for your customers?(Required)

How are you providing a real solution to your customer?(Required)

Product or Service Description: Provide an overview of your product/service(Required)

Who is your target market, and what is your go-to-market strategy (how do you plan to secure customers)?(Required)

Competition: How are you different from other companies serving your customer's needs?(Required)

Business model: Explain how your business makes money?(Required)

How will you use the prize money if you are the winner?(Required)

How have you funded your business/idea to date?(Required)

Who is a part of your team?(Required)

What else would be helpful to take your business to the next level? (Be specific! Examples: A connection with a certain buyer at a company, A connection with a leader or owner in a certain industry, additional funds, expertise in corporate taxes, expertise in marketing, etc.)(Required)

Please attach your business plan and/or pitch deck (Optional)

Max. file size: 256 MB.

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