Start-ups, entrepreneurs, and small business owners in Louisiana are invited to apply to Get Started Louisiana, a pitch contest in which they get to present their innovative business ideas before a panel of judges for a chance to win a $10,000 prize package. 
 
Get Started Louisiana will take place on Wednesday, March 22 at the Contemporary Arts Center as part of the 9th annual New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW), presented by IBERIABANK and produced by The Idea Village in partnership with Solomon Group.   
 
“We know that Louisiana is filled with entrepreneurs who are ready to take their business ideas to the next level,” said Leigh King, vice president of Cox Business Louisiana. “Get Started Louisiana is a great way for our local business community to showcase innovation and talent, while accessing valuable advice and tips to launch and grow their businesses.” 
 
Candidates interested in pitching their idea can apply online from Monday, February 6 until 11:59 p.m. CST Friday, February 24 at www.GeauxGetStarted.com.  The competition is limited to businesses with annual revenues below $300,000. 
 
Five finalists will be chosen to pitch to a panel of judges in front of a live audience and the winning business will win cash prizes and a Cox Business technology package valued at $10,000.  
 
Contestants will be given two-and-a-half minutes each to pitch their idea. Ken Kraft, vice president of marketing for Cox Business will be the host of Get Started Louisiana.  He will be joined by a panel of judges who will follow-up with questions and observations. Hear are this year’s judges:
 
•       Susan Cox –President and Founder of LogoJET
•       Tom Cox – CEO and Founder of Golfballs.com
•       Steve Rowley – Senior Vice President of Cox Business
•       Louis Freeman Jr. – CEO, Innovation Catalyst Inc.  
 
These experts will review each of the plans and select a winner based on innovation, ease of implementation and consumer/community benefit.  
 
Entrants will be notified by Wednesday, March 8, 2017 if they have been selected to pitch at the event. The five finalists will receive up to two coaching sessions each in advance of the event to prepare.    
 
Where:  The Contemporary Arts Center
                900 Camp Street
                New Orleans, LA 70130
 
When:    Wednesday, March 22
                5 p.m. Happy Hour
                6 p.m. Pitch Event
                7 p.m. After Party
 
To learn more about NOEW and register to attend Get Started Louisiana, visit http://noew.org/. 
About New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW)