Call for Applications: 4th Annual Water Challenge

2013 Water ChallengeThe Idea Village and Greater New Orleans Foundation have opened applications for the fourth annual Water Challenge, an award-winning program aimed at identifying and supporting solutions to how we live with water.

The organizations want to establish Southeast Louisiana as an entrepreneurial leader in the water industry. The 2014 Water Challenge will focus on flooding, water quality and coastal restoration.

Qualified entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply via WaterChallenge2014.org. Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm CT on October 11, 2013.

“Each year, The Idea Village hosts Strategic Challenges, such as the Water Challenge, in an effort to elevate emerging local industries, while strengthening partnerships in the entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Tim Williamson, Co-founder and CEO of The Idea Village. “Together with GNOF, we’ve assembled a powerful team of industry experts and are now looking for the best ideas in water management to support through this initiative.”

“Louisiana has a competitive advantage when it comes to harnessing water management opportunities and entrepreneurs play a key role in developing scalable solutions,” said Marco F. Cocito-Monoc, Ph. D, GNOF’s Director for Regional Initiatives. “We believe that the Water Challenge is a powerful vehicle for identifying such innovators.”

This year’s Water Challenge will be divided into two phases:

Phase 1: [October 23, 2013 – December 11, 2013] Participants will receive targeted business development resources to assess their needs and opportunities in the water sector, including access to strategy sessions, mentors, IDEAinstitute sessions, and peer networking. At the end of PHASE 1, participants will be evaluated for PHASE 2, based on the technical expertise, business solution, and potential for impact.

Phase 2 [January – March, 2014] Select finalists will receive additional one-on-one business support and professional services in preparation for the $50,000 Water Challenge pitch competition during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) on March 24, 2014.

“From access to unbelievable networks to strategic business consulting, it was as if I had an entire management team behind me during the Water Challenge program,” said Webster Pierce, winner of the 2013 Water Challenge.

The Idea Village is hosting an information session next Thursday, September 26th from 8:30 to 9:30 AM.

To learn more about The Idea Village and the 2014 Water Challenge, visit ideavillage.org.