The social venture accelerator Propeller is currently recruiting entrepreneurs, nonprofits, for-profits, and organizations with new ideas to solve the region’s water challenges for the Water Challenge Peer Mentorship Program, designed to help water innovators gain access to the business expertise they will need to launch their startups.
Applications for the 12-week program are due on October 5th, 2014. Applicants from Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, St. John, St. Charles, Lafourche, Tangipahoa, and Terrebonne parishes are invited to apply. For-profit and non-profit ventures with $0 to $1 million annual revenue will both be considered.
Lead mentor, and former CEO of the Weather Channel, Mike Eckert, will provide consulting and support to the accepted program participants. The program offers “entry into a dynamic cohort of peers who will work together to improve urban water retention, urban and coastal water quality, and coastal restoration,” explained Propeller.
The Water Challenge is a collaborative initiative between Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation, the Greater New Orleans Foundation, and The Idea Village. The organization is working closely with The Idea Village, an entrepreneurial hub that launched the Water Challenge initially in 2010 hosts the annual New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW), for this spin-off initiative.
The Peer Mentorship program will culminate in a $10,000 business pitch competition in March 2015 during the 7th annual NOEW.
Applications are currently open and will close on Sunday, October 5th. To view or share the application, click here.