Ten semi finalists have been selected to pitch their solutions for a healthier New Orleans at PitchNOLA 2014: Living Well on April 24, 2014. Hosted by Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation, it is the third installment of the PitchNOLA series, and the first to focus on the city’s public health issues.
Propeller’s staff, along with an independent panel of judges from the business, public health and entrepreneurship communities, helped select the finalists, which will be judged on the potential for health impact, a viable plan for financial sustainability and the entrepreneurial grit to make it happen.
Due in part to support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Propeller will award $10,000 in total start-up funding for solutions to reduce health disparities and to get New Orleanians healthier, more active and better nourished. First place receives $5,000, second place $3,000, and third place $2,0000. $500 (minimum) will go to The Audience Favorite, voted via text message during the event.
The 10 semi finalists, in alphabetical order, are listed below:
BarceNola Social Aid and Pleasure Club
Eric Kugler
A collaborative business that trains coaches, players, and referees; creates access, sources equipment, raises funds, and spreads the love of soccer, thereby improving the health of the New Orleans community.
Coordinated Care for the Whole Child
Connie Bellone
We are removing health barriers to education for at-risk youth by embedding health and preventative care in schools.
Just Bee Cause
David Young
Just Bee Cause, a campaign of Capstone, will work to increase honey production and sales, which will be used to offset the cost of the farm’s operations and allow food to be given away to those in need.
Lower 9th Ward Market
Ward “Mack” McClendon
The Lower 9th Ward Market is a community driven outdoor market space providing residents with easy access to healthy and fresh produce.
Move It Nola
Summer Suleiman
Find your workout match, and get your guide to healthy living. #MoveItNola
NOLA Birth Center
Dana Keren & Latona Giwa
The NOLA Birth Center is an out-of-hospital facility that will better Louisiana birth outcomes by providing holistic maternity care.
NOLA-Movement
Nolan Ferraro
NOLA-Movement is a city-wide wellness-oriented initiative aimed at assisting 1,000 New Orleanians in losing 10,000 pounds over a 12 week period.
RD Note
Molly Hegarty
RD Note is an app that offers healthcare providers an easy, mobile way to customize and manage client services to ensure dynamic, high quality nutritional care.
ReHabbit
Dr. Aaron Wolfson
ReHabbit is a proprietary system that collects and synthesizes patient sleep, activity, and pain data using commercially available activity trackers for treatment planning and documenting functional improvements.
Your Nutrition Anytime
Erik Frank
Your Nutrition Anytime enables employees to access fresh nutritious meals anytime, day or night.