The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) is gearing up for their third annual pitch competition, the JEDCO Challenge, to be hosted in conjunction with First NBC Bank for entrepreneurs tied to the parish.
JEDCO is an independent, yet complementary arm of Jefferson Parish government with the main objective of attracting, growing and creating new business in our area.
The competition will be held on March 23rd, 2015 during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, produced by The Idea Village to highlight the growing startup and entrepreneurial community throughout the city.
Eligible entrepreneurs must live, work, or have a strong presence in Jefferson Parish, must be a for-profit venture, generating less than $500,000 in revenue, employing less than five full-time employees and the five finalists must submit business plan to judges.
“Entrepreneurs are the future of Jefferson Parish and we will do everything we can to best assist them as they grow,” said JEDCO Executive Director Jerry Bologna. “This entrepreneur challenge provides us with a platform to better connect with the future leaders of our Jefferson Parish business community. It is exciting for JEDCO to play a role in helping these companies find success in Jefferson Parish and we look forward to providing a continuous support system in the future.”
Finalists will have seven minutes to pitch to a panel of business leaders in the community. JEDCO and First NBC are offering $20,000 in direct capital and additional in-kind business services to the winning pitch.
Additionally, this is the first time that pitch participants in the JEDCO Challenge will become eligible to participate in The Big Idea, the culminating event at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week.
JEDCO is accepting applications through December 12st, 2014, and finalists will be announced in mid-January. More information is available at jedco.org.