SBEDF to Host 9th Annual Event
The entry period is open for the eighth annual Startup St. Bernard competition, presented by the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation. Startup St. Bernard seeks out dedicated, enthusiastic entrepreneurs who want to grow their business to the next level. Entrepreneurs are invited to apply for the opportunity to pitch their business to a panel of judges. The entry period closes at 12:00 PM CT on June 9, 2023.
“Startups are the lifeblood of any community, and hosting events such as Startup St. Bernard provides an excellent way for local entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and connect with investors,” said SBEDF CEO, Meaghan McCormack. “Our hope is to provide a platform in St. Bernard that promotes not only growth but innovation within our community. Startup businesses create jobs and generate revenue that ultimately contribute to the health of our economy, which is why these opportunities are so important to provide.”
Three finalists will be selected to “pitch” their business to a panel of judges on August 3. This year’s prize package is still being developed and will be announced soon. All three finalists will receive a cash prize of at least $5,000. The winner will receive the grand prize package including a mix of cash and in-kind donations. In the past, in-kind donations have included services ranging from legal and accounting to marketing and public relations.
The Startup St. Bernard Challenge is open to any business that will:
- Locate their base of operations to St. Bernard Parish for at least 2 years
- Improve St. Bernard Parish
- Actively participate in the St. Bernard Parish entrepreneurial ecosystem
To qualify, entrants must be in business for five years or less or be an existing business creating a new division or entity, have yearly revenue under $1,000,000, and have five employees or fewer. Past Startup St. Bernard cash finalists, winners, and nonprofit organizations are not eligible to enter.
The Shark Tank-style public event is open to any business that meets the entry criteria and is passionate about joining St. Bernard Parish’s growing business community. Previous winners include 40 Arpent Brewing Company, Christie’s Dreams Seafood, Reactive Digital Systems, LLC, Clean Course Meals, Schmelly’s Dirt Farm, CORE Louisiana Counseling & Recovery Center, Glass Half Full, and Ceres Plant Protein Cereal.
Judges will score entries based on the quality of the business plans and how the startups will improve St. Bernard by creating jobs, investing capital into the parish, providing needed products or services to the region, and/or contributing to the growth of the core Startup St. Bernard sectors: sustainability, creative digital media, cultural arts/cultural economy, health and wellness, advanced manufacturing/value-added manufacturing, logistics, and the seafood industry.
The application is now live at https://www.startupstbernard.com/enter.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Submit Your Business Plan Online
Entrepreneurs must complete the entry form and submit a business plan at www.startupstbernard.com by 12:00 PM CT on June 9, 2023.
2. Committee Selects Finalists
An independent selection committee with business expertise will review the submissions and choose three finalists that will be selected to “pitch.”
3. Finalists Pitch for a Chance to Win
Finalists will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges in a Shark Tank-style presentation format. The live public event will take place on Thursday, August 3, 2023.
Questions about the competition or entry criteria can be directed to contact@sbedf.org.
