Catapult Fund – Small Business Training Program 2025 (US)

The 2025 Catapult Fund is a partnership between the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Capital One Bank and the New Orleans Black Chamber of Commerce. 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.

Applications are now open to seat a new Culinary class in 2025.

Funding Information

• 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.

Program Delivery

• 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.
• 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

• 1/9/25: Kickoff Celebration and Orientation
• 1/16/25: Understanding Today to Build Your Tomorrow.
• 1/23/25: Marketing and Selling Essentials for Your Food Business.
• 1/30/25: Maximizing Your Online Presence.
• 2/6/25: Building and Leading Your Winning Team.
• 2/13/25: Managing for Efficiency and Profitability.
• 2/20/25: Funding for Growth
• 2/27/25: Obtaining and Keeping Repeat Customers.
• 3/13/25: Building a Strong, Resilient Organization.
• 3/20/25: Lagniappe Special Topics TBD!
• 3/27/25: Polishing the Pitch and Refining Your Growth Plan.
• 4/3/25: Pitch Contest and Graduation Ceremony.

Eligibility Criteria

• 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.

For more information, visit New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.