As New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) nears, the startup-friendly community is looking forward to the 106 unique events, from entrepreneur showcases, to engaging panels and workshops, to industry-specific summits and networking happy hours. The weeklong festival of entrepreneurship will take place March 11-18, 2016 on Fulton Street in downtown New Orleans.
One of the premiere events, the Downtown NOLA Arts-Based Business Pitch, is aimed at identifying and supporting entrepreneurs that have an arts-based project or product situated in the creative, architecture, technology, digital media or film/entertainment fields that benefits the Downtown Development District (DDD) and is scalable.
Tabitha Bethune of The Wild Life Reserve, the winner of the 2015 Downtown NOLA Arts-Based Business Pitch. Photo via DDD New Orleans.
Entrepreneurs must fit the following criteria:
- Ability to provide a product or service, whether through interactive art, digital media, mobile apps, or any other means of attracting to and engaging patrons Downtown that will also enhance their experience living or visiting Downtown
- Arts-based business (creative, digital media, technology, architecture, film/entertainment)
- Committed to relocating to, or conducting business in, Downtown New Orleans
- Ability to contribute to making Downtown New Orleans a hub of innovative ‘cool’ arts-based business through attracting buzz, talent and economic activity
“This business concept, ideally, serves to enhance way-finding and experiences in the built environment for everyday walking and living,” explains the website.
The DDD is a strategic partner of The Idea Village, producers of NOEW, for the 2016 Entrepreneur Season. The organization is hosting the third annual Business Pitch along with CANO and LCEF on March 14, which will highlight the entrepreneurs who have been working on their concept and practicing pitches leading up to the final round. The grand prize package is valued at over $40,000 and will consist of professional legal, accounting, public relations and marketing services, and cash.
Submissions are due by January 29, 2016. Click here to apply.
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This year’s Silicon Bayou 100 was made possible by sponsors 365 Connect, a leading provider of award-winning marketing, leasing and resident technology platforms for the multifamily housing industry, and LookFar, a software development studio. Beer from our beverage sponsor, the startup brewery Cajun Fire, will also be provided. 
