IDEApitch is the fan-favorite pitch competition at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW). Three local startups have been selected to pitch live in front of conference attendees and a panel of judges today, March 25, at the culminating NOEW event.
What has historically been a big prize pot for the winner at $50,000, the stakes have just majorly increased. With support from local investors and entrepreneurs, the total award money has jumped up to $750,000, with $400,000 awarded to the winning pitch and $175,000 to each runner up.
The Idea Village, producers of NOEW, says this increase makes IDEApitch one of the largest pitch competitions in the country.
“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, one of the funders.
The IDEApitch finalists include:
- Jamm Around, a network management platform for music creators
- Cluey Consumer, a data driven platform that empowers socially conscious consumers
- Iconic Moments, an NFT marketplace for museums and other cultural institutions