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

The Idea Village invites ambitious entrepreneurs with big ideas to apply to The Idea Village Entrepreneur Challenge 2010. 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

Complete the Entrepreneur Information Form. The form offers three options:

  • If you don’t feel that you are currently a fit but would like to receive updates about The Idea Village’s work, register your venture with The Idea Village team and sign up for the monthly newsletter.
  • Still have questions about The Idea Village or The Idea Village Entrepreneur Challenge '10? Attend an Information Session, held weekly at The Idea Village through September, to listen to a presentation about our work and participate in a question and answer session, after which you can decide if you are ready for an Assessment Interview.
  • Ready to pitch your idea? Schedule an Assessment Interview with us. A team member will schedule a 30-minute meeting with interviewers from our team and send you an outline of key questions to help you prepare for the session.

Candidates must submit the Entrepreneur Information Form by September 23, 2009 before 11:59 CST and must be prepared to complete their Assessment Interview by September 27, 2009 to be considered for The Idea Village Entrepreneur Challenge '10.

Step 2 – Top 10 Questions for Entrepreneurs

Invited applicants will complete a written application consisting of our 10 Questions for Entrepreneurs that will help us hone in on the entrepreneur’s compatibility with The Idea Village’s services and culture.

Step 3 -- Presentation

In the final level of the application process, entrepreneurs will present their venture concept to The Idea Village team. Selected entrepreneurs will enter into The Idea Village portfolio and begin the program.