Women in Business Challenge

The Urban League Women in Business Challenge, in partnership with The Idea Village, is centered on educating and empowering female entrepreneurs in New Orleans.

Research indicates that start-up ventures steered by men have out-performed those created by women in annual sales, employment growth, and income. The Women in Business Challenge will elevate and empower women to “go bigger” in their entrepreneurial endeavors in order to have the same performance potential as male-owned start-ups, with the ultimate goal of creating economic impact.

Women in Business Challenge Qualification Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria and up to 12 will be selected into the 2013 cohort:
• Entrepreneur has an existing business or well-researched idea that is 51% owned by female(s).
• Business model is innovative, empowering and/or delivers a needed resource(s) to girls & women.
• Current revenue does not exceed $1 million.
• Venture has high probability to quickly generate revenue.
• Venture has high potential to reach $1 million in annual revenue within 3 years.

The inaugural Women in Business Challenge kicks off in late October with an intensive educational series, hosted by the Urban League, during which the selected cohort will meet multiple times each week for an entrepreneurial boot camp covering topics such as business plan development, marketing, media, financials, and funding. In December, select entrepreneurs who have identified scalable, for-profit business models and demonstrated the passion to take their start-ups to the next level will transition into a three-month accelerator program managed by The Idea Village Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs). The EIRs, seasoned entrepreneurs, will provide strategic consulting to help entrepreneurs refine their strategy, organize their business, and develop their pitch for funding. Finalists will have the opportunity to pitch for seed capital during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, March 16-22, 2013.