IDEApitch is the fan-favorite culminating event at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW). Three local entrepreneurs have been selected to pitch live in front of conference attendees and a panel of judges Friday, March 25, at 4:30 pm.
“IDEApitch is the premier showcase for emerging startups poised for rapid growth in the New Orleans region,” shared The Idea Village, the nonprofit that produces NOEW. The organization pledges a $50,000 investment prize to the winning pitch.
With support from local investors and entrepreneurs, that total has jumped up to a whopping $750,000, with $400,000 awarded to the winning pitch and $175,000 to each runner up. The Idea Village says this increase makes IDEApitch one of the largest pitch competitions in the country.
The prize pot was increased by funders including Patrick Comer, Scott Wolfe, Gayle Benson, Cathy and Walter Isaacson, Amith Nagarajan, Michael Gollner and Faith Savage, and Dr. John Ellstrot.
“This investment not only helps new startups born out of The Idea Village create momentum for further growth and seeking new capital but also earmarks profits from the success of these companies towards an endowment for Idea Village securing the future of innovation in New Orleans,” said Gayle Benson.
The IDEApitch finalists include Jamm Around, a network management platform for music creators, Cluey Consumer, a data driven platform that empowers socially conscious consumers, and Iconic Moments, an NFT marketplace for museums and other cultural institutions.
All NOEW events, including IDEApitch, are free to attend. Visit noew.org to view the full schedule and RSVP.