The purpose of the Catapult Fund is to encourage innovation and sustainability for entrepreneurs through training and investment.

For the first time, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation will present two separate sessions of the Catapult Fund simultaneously: Culinary Arts and Beauty, Fashion, and Jewelry! Individuals can select which program best suits their entrepreneurial needs.

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The 2023 Catapult Fund is a partnership between the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Capital One Bank and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center Greater New Orleans and River Region.

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.

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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.

• The Culinary Arts Catapult Fund is open to small businesses in the areas of culinary (including LLCs, sole proprietorships, and incorporated businesses).
• Businesses at least a year old (emerging businesses) are welcome, as are seasoned businesses. 
• Applying businesses must have gross annual revenues of less than $500,000.
• Eligible businesses are those whose main area of focus is in the culinary arts.
• Businesses that are 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.
• Nonprofits and individuals (other than sole proprietorships) are not eligible.
• Religious organizations, government entities, and businesses with outstanding state or federal tax obligations also are not eligible to apply.

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Beauty, Fashion, Jewelry Eligibility:

The Catapult Fund is open to entrepreneurs in the beauty, fashion, and jewelry industries throughout Louisiana including clothing, cosmetics, soaps, hair products, and more.

• The Beauty, Fashion, and Jewelry Catapult Fund is open to small businesses in the areas of beauty, fashion, or jewelry in Louisiana (including LLCs, sole proprietorships, and incorporated businesses).
• Businesses at least a year old (emerging businesses) are welcome, as are seasoned businesses. 
• Applying businesses must have gross annual revenues of less than $500,000.
• Eligible businesses are those whose main area of focus is in beauty, fashion, or jewelry.
• Businesses that are 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.
• Nonprofits and individuals (other than sole proprietorships) are not eligible.
• Religious organizations, government entities, and businesses with outstanding state or federal tax obligations also are not eligible to apply.

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About the Sessions:

The Beauty, Fashion, and Jewelry program provides a 12-session course:

Sessions for the Beauty, Fashion, and Jewelry industries will be held virtually every Tuesday beginning June 20th and ending September 19th. 12 courses over three months. The session will be 2.5 hours for a total of 30 hours. 

The Culinary Arts program provides an 11-session course:

Sessions for Culinary Arts will be held virtually every Wednesday beginning July 12th and ending September 27th – 11 courses over three months. The session will be 2.5 hours for a total of 27.5 hours.

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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: 

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Schedule:

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Who Can Apply?

Business owners in the Culinary Arts or Beauty, Fashion, and Jewelry industries should consider applying for the Catapult Fund if they meet the following criteria: 

• Small businesses – at least a year old- in Culinary Arts or Beauty, Fashion, and Jewelry industries in Louisiana (including LLCs, sole proprietorships, and incorporated businesses). Emerging businesses are welcome, as are seasoned businesses. 
• The business has gross annual revenues of less than $500,000 
• Business training in best business practices is needed.
• 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.
• Nonprofits, Religious organizations, government entities, and businesses or individuals with outstanding state or federal tax obligations also are not eligible to apply. 
• Business owners are willing to commit to participating in a virtual 12-session beauty, fashion, and jewelry training program OR a virtual 10-session culinary training program over a three-month period. 

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Guidelines

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Our partners in the Catapult Fund are: 

Questions? 

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. 

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