A number of startups that are connected to The Idea Village throughout the year are selected for CAPITALx, a 10-week accelerator program targeted to select high-growth, New Orleans-based business founders who are actively in the process of growing their company through angel, venture, or debt funding.
Partners who nominated startups for this year’s program include PowerMoves.NOLA, New Orleans Bioinnovation Center, LookFar, Launch Pad, Propeller, New Orleans Startup Fund and 4.0 Schools.
From the CAPITALx program, three startups are always chosen to pitch in front of billionaire investor Jim Coulter at what has been dubbed the Coulter IDEApitch during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (March 19-24).
Coulter is the co-founder of the private equity firm TPG Capital. TPG conducts research on the 10 CAPITALx companies then inform The Idea Village who makes the final pitch. The winner of the Coulter IDEApitch will receive an investment of $100,000.
The IDEApitch companies include:
- Acrew – Crystal McDonald
The company is adding depth to the hiring process by adding “the people” factor upfront in addition to the traditional resume and application.
- Catalyst:Ed – Leona Christy
The platform matches education organizations with vetted experts for short-term, mission-critical needs.
- SuperEats – Aaron Gailmor & Charlie Ruehr
SuperEats makes familiar snacks with nutrition-packed, natural and honest ingredients.
The seven other CAPITALx companies will be participating in the now public Demo Day on Friday, March 24 from 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Those startups include: ComplyPod, Culture Chest, Doorman Designs, eNre, ExemptMeNow, Grok + Banter, LendStand, Pine BioTech, and Scenehound.
“CAPITALx is an amazing opportunity for ambitious local entrepreneurs to accelerate their businesses,” said Emily Madero, Acting CEO of The Idea Village. “Our goal is for each founder to walk away fully trained and prepared to engage the best financing strategy for their business—and be set up for success.”