PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Idea Village is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to identify, support and retain entrepreneurial talent in New Orleans. The Idea Village provides strategy, resources, and talent to launch entrepreneurs at critical growth junctures, and elevates entrepreneurship and New Orleans as a hub for innovation.

The Idea Village Entrepreneur Challenge '10

APPLICATIONS FOR THE IDEA VILLAGE ENTREPRENEUR CHALLENGE '10 ARE CLOSED. If you would like to register and keep up to date through our newsletter, please complete the Entrepreneur Information Form.

Overview
25 New Orleans based entrepreneurs will be invited to partner with The Idea Village’s team and network  of professionals and MBAs to identify and execute key growth opportunities in 2010. All local entrepreneurs are invited to apply through a competitive process and The Idea Village will select the entrepreneurs by October 2009.

Benefit to Entrepreneur
Each entrepreneur will be assigned a dedicated member of The Idea Village team who will develop a customized scope of work to fit each entrepreneur’s needs to accelerate the growth of the venture. A menu of services for entrepreneurs typically includes setting operational goals and providing business strategy, marketing support and financial guidance. The Idea Village Entrepreneur Challenge culminates with the New Orleans Entrepreneur Week '10 from March 20-27, 2010, a celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation and New Orleans.

Upon selecting the entrepreneurs, The Idea Village will develop a scope of work customized to fit each entrepreneur’s needs. A menu of services for entrepreneurs typically includes setting operational goals and providing business strategy, marketing support and financial guidance. The program culminates with the New Orleans Entrepreneur Week '10 from March 20-27, 2010, a celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation and New Orleans.

The Idea Village Entrepreneur Challenge '10 offers New Orleans entrepreneurs the following:

• Business strategy and consulting services with members of The Idea Village team
  
• Marketing, promotion, branding, and networking opportunities
  
• Access to Professional Network grants to be used towards local service providers
  
• Access to MBA IDEAcorps teams from the country’s leading programs that have included Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Berkeley, and Northwestern
  
• Access to services from corporate teams that in the past have included Google, Salesforce.com, and Worldwide Marketing Partners
  
• Opportunity to participate in the New Orleans Entrepreneur Week '10, “Jazz Fest of Entrepreneurship” celebration

The Idea Village will only consider applicants who demonstrate the attributes listed in our Criteria.

Application Process for The Idea Village Entrepreneur Challenge '10

Step 1 – Entrepreneur Information Form and Assessment Interview

Applications are closed.

Step 2 – Written Application - Top 10 Questions for Entrepreneurs

Step 3 -- Final Interview