PitchNOLA: Lots of Progress, presented by Entergy, Awards $7,634 and Empty Lots to Land Innovators

20 August 2014

The Pop-Up Produce Stand presented by Sankofa took home first place and the Audience Choice Award, for a grand total of $5,634 and the vacant lot of their choice at 3401 St. Claude Ave.

The second place prize of $2,000 and their selected lot at 4525 N. Claiborne Ave. went to Little Dawgz in the Hood by the Villalobos Rescue Center.

The event featured all-star judges Charles Rice, President of Entergy New Orleans, Tara Hernandez, President of JCH Development, and Sean Meenan, the entrepreneur behind Café Habana.

The semi-finalists (clockwise starting at top left): Nannyboo's Snowballs, the Putt Parade, Sankofa, and Little Dawgz in the Hood.

The Propeller and NORA teams celebrate a successful night!

Guests enjoyed delicious burritos, tacos, and nachos from the food truck Rollin' Fatties before the main event.

PitchNOLA: Lots of Progress 2014 Finalists

1st Place – $5,000 and 3401 St. Claude Ave.
Audience Choice Award – $634
The Pop-Up Produce Stand presented by Sankofa

A stand selling locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables in the 9th Ward and offering complementary healthy living workshops.

Participating in PitchNOLA helped us to think though all of the processes necessary to propel our idea. Going through the process of presenting and convincing judges and the audience on our project, helped us oversee future challenges thus making the project more attainable and solid. The award received gave us the resources to make it happen! - Rosamar Torres, Sankofa CDC

2nd Place – $2,000 and 4525 N. Claiborne Ave.
Little Dawgz in the Hood by the Villalobos Rescue Center

A sustainable dog park providing a gathering place and open, green space to community members and their canine companions.

PitchNOLA: Lots of Progress was made possible through the partnership of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority and presented by Entergy.

Inspired? Bring your idea on stage!

We have more PitchNOLAs and business pitch opportunities coming up! Visit our events page for more event details on PitchNOLA: Living Well, PitchNOLA: Community Solutions, and the Water Challenge Peer Mentorship, which will culminate in a $10k business pitch competiiton during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week.