2026 Catapult Fund
Application Deadline: December 15
The purpose of the Catapult Fund is to encourage innovation and sustainability for entrepreneurs through training and investment.
The 2026 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.
About the Sessions:
The Culinary Arts program provides 10 virtual courses:
Sessions for Culinary Arts will be held virtually every Thursday beginning January 8 and ending April 2, 2026; 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
- Product placement
- Marketing basics
- Online marketing techniques: utilizing social media, website best practices, sales techniques, online presence
- 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
- Sustainable practices
Schedule:
The Culinary Arts Program
The Culinary Arts program will meet virtually on Thursdays at 1:30PM-3:30PM
November 14: Applications open
December 12: Application Deadline
December 15-17: Interviews
December 19-22: Notification of Acceptance
January 8, 2026: Kickoff Celebration and Orientation – in person
January 15: Understanding Today to Build Your Tomorrow.
January 22: Marketing and Selling Essentials for Your Food Business.
January 29: Maximizing Your Online Presence.
February 5: Building and Leading Your Winning Team.
February 12: Managing for Efficiency and Profitability.
February 26: Funding for Growth:
March 5: Obtaining and Keeping Customers.
March 12: Building a Strong, Resilient Organization.
March 19: Lagniappe Special Topics TBD!
March 26: Polishing the Pitch and Refining Your Growth Plan
April 2: Pitch Contest and Graduation Ceremony – in person
Guidelines
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.
Links & Downloads: