Startup St. Bernard is a new initiative by the Meraux Foundation that seeks innovative entrepreneurs for its contest during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) on March 23rd, 2015. Eligible businesses have a chance to win a prize package worth $110,000– designed to help take the winning startup to the next level– which includes office space, legal services, marketing, accounting, $42,500 in cash, and much more.
NOEW is an annual conference of entrepreneurship that engages a dynamic global network of entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, nonprofits, students, and professionals throughout a week of events, networking, competition, discussion and celebration. Startup St. Bernard is one of the 75 events that expects to engage 10,000 people over eight days.
“We created Startup St. Bernard to showcase the Parish as an ideal place for businesses, especially startups,” said Rita Gue, president of the Meraux Foundation, which is presenting the contest. “We issued a call to smart, motivated entrepreneurs in St. Bernard, across the state, and around the country. This is a unique way to approach economic development and a new way to promote the Parish.”
Applications are due by January 31st. A panel of judges will choose five startups to move onto the final pitch round in March, which will be held at the Meraux Foundation’s Docville Farm at the Arlene Meraux River Observation Center.
For more information, visit startupstbernard.com.