NEW ORLEANS – The deadline for applications to compete in the NOLA Made 2016 live pitch competition has been extended to Mardi Gras Day, February 9, 2016 @11:59 p.m.
Entrepreneurs are invited to apply for a chance to pitch their business to a panel of judges during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week on Monday, March 14, 2016, at the St. Charles Parish School Board Satellite Center in Luling, LA. Winners will gain exposure, cash awards, free kitchen hours, consulting and pro bono technical assistance.
NOLA Made 2016 is open to any new business or existing business with the following criteria:
• Revenues less than $500,000
• Fewer than 5 employees.
• In business 5 years or less.
• A for-profit business
NOLA Made 2016 is organized by the New Orleans Food & Farm Network, St. Charles Parish Department of Economic Development & Tourism and The Idea Village. Supporting partners include St. Charles Parish School Board, Edible Enterprises, Food Science Program of Our Lady of Holy Cross College, and the River Parishes Community Development Corporation.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Submit Your Application online – Entrepreneurs must complete this entry form by Tuesday, February 9, 2016.
2. Selection Panel will choose 3 Finalists – A selection panel with business experience will review the submissions and score the entries. The three highest-scoring businesses will be selected to “pitch” to judges at NOLA Made 2016. Finalists will be chosen by Wednesday, February 10, 2016.
3. Finalists pitch for a chance to win prizes – The 3 finalists will pitch their businesses (in a 5 minute pitch) to a panel of judges in a TED Talks-style presentation format. Judges will have 5 minutes to ask questions. The live public event will take place at the St Charles Parish School Board Satellite Center in Luling, LA during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week in March 2016.
4. Prizes packages* will be awarded to the top 3 pitches. 1st Place: $8,000. 2nd Place: $6,500. 3rd Place: $5,000
* Prize Packages are not an entirely cash package. Prize Packages includes cash, in-kind services including assistance in product development and permitting, free kitchen hours, and waiver of some administrative fees that have been assigned a fair market value.
