The 'look up with us' challenge brings small businesses together through US Bank's Facebook page, where participants can vote for their favourite success story and connect with other small business owners around the country.

Kent Stone, executive vice president of consumer banking at US Bank says: "We hope the challenge will draw inspiring stories from business owners who are finding ways to succeed despite the tough economic climate."

To enter the challenge, business owners launch the 'look up with us' app on Facebook and describe why their business is looking up. Their answer and their business becomes part of a mosaic-like display on US Bank's Facebook page. The more votes an answer gets, the bigger that business' tile becomes in the mosaic.

One winner of the $15,000 inducement will be chosen by other small-business owners who serve on a US Bank panel. Another winner will be chosen through random drawing, and a third by popular vote within the app.

The challenge is open to any business in the United States with annual revenues less than $10 million.