New Orleans Entrepreneurs Win Big at WeWork Creator Awards

This week, WeWork held its South Regional Final event of The Creator Awards, a new initiative granting millions to entrepreneurs, small businesses, growing companies, non-profits, artists and other creators.

Two New Orleans-based entrepreneurs were announced winners at the event. In the Launch category, which included businesses and non-profits launched and still learning, Larry Irvin from Brothers Empowered to Teach Initiative was awarded $130,000. Barrie Schwartz with My House Social took home $18,000 from the Incubate category that hosted ideas and projects that need funding.

Both entrepreneurs pitch lived at a recent event in Austin along with more than 30 other finalists from the South. A total of $1.5 million in funding was granted to 18 winners across three categories.

Winners from the Scale and Launch categories will go on to participate for additional grants at a competition in New York on November 30.

WeWork will be hosting other events around the world to reach its goal of awarding $20 million to participating entrepreneurs and businesses in South America, Europe, and the Middle East.