The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation has recently opened applications for the 2023 Catapult Fund small business training program. This year’s program will focus on two categories: beauty, fashion, and jewelry, as well as culinary arts. The program is a collaboration between the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Capital One Bank, and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center Greater New Orleans and River Region.

The Catapult Fund program aims to promote innovation and sustainability among cultural industry entrepreneurs by providing them with training and investment. It offers intensive business training and access to grant funding to support the growth of their enterprises.

Small Louisiana-based businesses can apply for the beauty, fashion, and jewelry category. These businesses may include clothing, cosmetics, soaps, hair products, etc. On the other hand, the culinary arts category is open to small Louisiana-based businesses such as chefs, restaurant owners, caterers, food truck operators, food market vendors, food product manufacturers, cooking schools, and others.

The Catapult Fund program has been an important initiative that supports small business growth in Louisiana’s cultural industries. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation hopes the 2023 Catapult Fund program will provide entrepreneurs with the necessary resources to develop their businesses and enhance Louisiana’s cultural economy.

Interested applicants may visit the fund’s website to view program guidelines, requirements, deadlines, class schedules, and more.