Catapult Fund

Catapult Fund is sponsored by New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and New Orleans Black Chamber of Commerce. Encourages innovation and sustainability for entrepreneurs through training and investment, focusing on small Louisiana-based businesses in the food industry, including restaurants, chefs, caterers, food trucks, and food product manufacturers.

% 2025 Catapult Fund - The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. The purpose of the Catapult Fund is to encourage innovation and sustainability for entrepreneurs through training and investment. The 2025 Catapult Fund is a partnership between the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and the New Orleans Black Chamber of Commerce. The program generously funded by Capital One Bank .

This dynamic and interactive training is designed to assist entrepreneurs in developing and accessing growth opportunities to take their businesses to the next level of success. Topics are designed to provide the information and skillsets to survive and thrive in the evolving marketing and economic environment. The weekly sessions will be held virtually and include actionable steps to improve business performance.

Each participant will be matched with a business advisor who will provide additional guidance, assistance, and encouragement during and beyond the program at no charge. Culinary Arts Eligibility: To be eligible, applicants must have small Louisiana-based businesses in the food industry.

These may include restaurants, chefs, caterers, food trucks, food product manufacturers, cooking schools, and others filling a niche in their local markets. Eligible businesses are those whose main area of focus is in the culinary arts (including LLCs, sole proprietorships, and incorporated businesses).

Religious organizations, government entities, and businesses with outstanding state or federal tax obligations also are not eligible to apply. Emerging businesses are welcome, as are seasoned businesses. Businesses that recognize training in best practices is needed.

Businesses must have gross annual revenues of less than $500,000. Businesses at least a year old (emerging businesses) are welcome, as are seasoned businesses. Business owners who are working as a business but have not yet registered with the State of Louisiana, do not have occupational licenses, do not have Profit & Loss statements, or cannot provide a current tax return/schedule C are welcome to apply.

Business owners are willing to commit to participating in a virtual 10-session culinary training program over a three-month period. Catapult Overview & Schedule The Culinary Arts program provides 10 virtual courses: Sessions for Culinary Arts will be held virtually every Thursday beginning January 9th and ending March 27th; the 10 courses over three months. The session will be 2.

5 hours for a total of 27. 5 hours. An in-person networking and orientation session will be held before the first virtual class, and an in-person pitch competition and graduation will conclude the program.

Those who successfully complete all aspects of the Catapult Fund training program of their choice will be awarded cash grants from a pool totaling $50,000.

Courses will take place over a three-month period of business training and will be taught in: Utilizing business advisors Identifying and reaching profitable customers and business opportunities Cybersecurity: keeping customers and data secure Best practices for resiliency and sustainability Accounting, record keeping, taxes, financial management Strategic growth plans, goal setting How to access capital to grow the business The Culinary Arts Program The Culinary Arts program will meet virtually on Thursdays at 1:30PM-3:30PM October 28: Applications open December 6: Application Deadline December 9-13: Interviews December 16-20: Notification of Acceptance January 9, 2025: Kickoff Celebration and Orientation January 16, 2025: Understanding Today to Build Your Tomorrow January 23: Marketing and Selling Essentials for Your Food Business January 30: Maximizing Your Online Presence February 6: Building and Leading Your Winning Team February 13: Managing for Efficiency and Profitability February 20: Funding for Growth February 27: Obtaining and Keeping Repeat Customers March 13: Building a Strong, Resilient Organization March 20: Lagniappe Special Topics TBD!

March 27: Polishing the Pitch and Refining Your Growth Plan April 3, 2025: In-Person Pitch Contest and Graduation Ceremony Our partners in the Catapult Fund are: If you have questions about the Catapult Fund, the guidelines or need application assistance, please send an email to programs@jazzandheritage.

org For general questions or media inquiries about the Catapult Fund, please contact the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation by calling (504) 558-6100 or sending an email here. Sample profit & loss worksheet