5 Highlights from NOEW 2022: Making History for the Next 20 Years & Beyond
New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) 2022 left its mark in NOEW’s history.
Entrepreneurs, city leaders, investors, and creatives came together to celebrate and learn alongside each other, collectively working to build scalable businesses and create a more vibrant future for New Orleans. Through in depth conversations about the intersections of diversity and entrepreneurship, climate and innovation, and culture and technology, we had an impactful week discussing topics that will shape the next 20 years of New Orleans’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. After missing two years of in-person NOEW due to the pandemic, NOEW 2022 offered both protégés and seasoned professionals valuable in-person networking opportunities and hosted over 60 thought leading panel discussions from top industry experts like Jim Coulter (CEO of TPG), Jessica Norwood (CEO of RUNWAY), Damario Davis (New Orleans Saints football linebacker), Evan Spiegel (CEO of Snapchat), Jamie Lynton (CEO of The City), Patrick Comer (Founder of Lucid - A Cint Group Company), and so many others!
There were incredible moments throughout NOEW 2022, but 5 huge NOEW 2022 happenings took everyone by surprise (some even jumping out of their seats in excitement!). Here are 5 NOEW 2022 takeaways:
1) IDEApitch Competition Invests $750k | Largest Pitch Competition in the Nation
This year’s IDEApitch broke the record for the largest investment prize in its history - and across the nation - by investing $750,000 in local tech startups.
2022 VILLAGEx startup from New Orleans East, Jamm Around, won the grand investment prize of $400,000, marking it not only as the winner of the largest investment prize, but also a historic moment as one of the first startups founded and led by local Black entrepreneurs to win IDEApitch. The room truly “exploded” with excitement, and the buzz afterwards included a genuine hope and interest in what this could mean for building towards a more inclusive local economy and paving the way for more up-and-coming Black led startups.
For the first time in IDEApitch’s history, both runners-up walked away with $175,000 each, increasing the momentum of the local flywheel and seeding New Orleans' next generation of startups.
2) Positioning New Orleans as Leaders in Culture Tech & Climate Tech
At NOEW 2022, we hosted two incredible mini-summits, Culture Tech and Climate Tech, where we introduced our entrepreneurial community to ideas and expertise from over 40 local and national industry professionals. NOEW attendees were able to learn from sessions ranging from how technology can address the world’s most pressing climate challenges to how business minded creatives can innovate the field of media, film, music and Web3. The focus on these emerging industries where NOLA stands to be a global leader positions New Orleans’ entrepreneurs well to be successful leaders in our region for the next 20 years and beyond.
3) $30,000 Investments Awarded to BIPOC Founders in New Program: IDEAfuel
Founders Arielle Brown, CEO of Bea’s Bayou Skincare, and Eddie Davis, CEO of Matchups, were each presented $15,000 seed investment checks from the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, on behalf of The Idea Village's new IDEAfuel program, presented by AT&T. The investment funds will go towards helping both ventures further grow their business throughout their time in the inaugural IDEAfuel* program.
*IDEAfuel is a new pilot program, made possible by AT&T, that focuses solely on supporting and funding startups founded by Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC).
4) The Mayor’s Challenge: $100k Prize for Web3 Businesses, Competition Announced!
The City of New Orleans and The Idea Village partnered together to announce a new and exciting competition: The Mayor’s Challenge for Web3 Businesses! The competition is calling on the region’s brightest and most creative minds to tap into Web3, the next wave of the internet powered by blockchain technology, to create new businesses that support Web3 infrastructure and development. The winner will walk away with a $100,000 investment prize! Sign-up for our newsletter through www.theideavillage.org to receive updates and alerts on The Mayor’s Challenge when released.
5) Local Art at the Intersection of Art + Innovation, and Culture + Technology!
NOEW staged its first two-day multi-media art installation, where we witnessed the intersection of art, innovation, culture, and technology. The collection was curated by acclaimed local artist, Cypher, and featured original art pieces by local artists Jonny Rey, MUZEUME, ArtByJay, and Cypher himself. It was truly spectacular to see the walls of Gallier Hall showcasing New Orleans art pieces that ranged from canvas paintings to New Orleans’ first ever 3D, NFT, animated artwork immersion gallery.
The flywheel is in full effect in New Orleans and all the events that took place at NOEW 2022 were an expression of The Idea Village’s mission to further a more exceptional New Orleans through entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology.
NOEW 2022 Testimonials
“NOEW hit a home run. The parties were a blast. The speakers were impressive and insightful. The energy left me pumped for next year — and for the next 20.” - NOEW 2022 attendee
“NOEW is an outstanding event that brings together so many different people in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem - from investors to startup founders to support professionals. All in the same room. With amazing speakers discussing topics we care about! It is an amazing benefit for the City of New Orleans." - NOEW 2022 attendee
“Simply the best local opportunity to meet and greet other thought leaders in the entrepreneurial space right here in Louisiana!” - NOEW 2022 attendee
“NOEW 2022 was very informative as it clearly articulated how technology supports the efficiency of business, culture, and is cost effective in every scenario to the bottom line.” - NOEW 2022 attendee
