Every year, Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation hosts a series of issue-specific PitchNOLA events showcasing ventures tackling a variety of social and environmental problems in the New Orleans area.
Propeller has partnered with early-stage education startup incubator 4.0 Schools to launch PitchNOLA: Education, a live pitch competition that will award cash prizes to entrepreneurial solutions to increase equitable education outcomes for all New Orleanians.
Semi-finalists will pitch in front of a panel of judges and an audience on November 4 for the chance to win $10,000 in addition to the $500 Audience Favorite Award determined by a live text-in vote. Register now on Eventbrite.
“New Orleans has made significant gains in K-12 student achievement since Katrina, but there is still more work to ensure educational equity,” said Propeller Executive Director Andrea Chen. “We believe entrepreneurs play a key role in this effort, and we’re thrilled to work alongside 4.0 Schools to catalyze and support education entrepreneurship.”
Propeller and 4.0 Schools are seeking concrete solutions with sustainable revenue streams addressing key challenges including funding for early childcare, triggers for poor academic performance and absenteeism, and pathways to vocational education and alternatives to four-year college degrees.
Anyone interested in learning more about PitchNOLA: Education to attend the upcoming question and answer sessions at Propeller on both September 9 (12-1pm) and September 14 (4:30-5:30pm).
Applications are due at midnight on Sunday, October 4, 2015 and available online at GoPropeller.org.