According to the Small Business Administration, small companies generate 1.5 million jobs a year and account for 64% of new jobs in America. Small businesses also contribute 44% of the U.S. economic activity, so as the number of new businesses grows so does their economic contributions. In recognition of this impact, The Alliance (Business Incubator of Southwest Louisiana)/Chamber SWLA will host several events during National Small Business Development Week.

All of the programming leads up to the Business Incubator of Southwest Louisiana 2024 Business Pitch Contest which will be held at the SEED Center.

People who want to apply to participate in the Business Pitch contest have until April 19. Visit https://www.allianceswla.org/swlaincubator and fill out the form which will be reviewed by the Incubator team.

Here are some quick factoids about the contest:

• First place prize: $5,000
• Second place prize: $3,000
• Third place prize: $1,500
• Contestants need to prepare a 5-minute pitch.
• A person can apply on their own or as part of a team.
• A person must live in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, or Jeff Davis parishes.
• There are no fees to enter.         
• Judges will grade and pick a winner.

For over 60 years the Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated National Small Business Week “which acknowledges the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners,” according to the agency. 
    

“This year, National Small Business Week takes place April 28 to May 4, 2024, and is when SBA officially recognizes their hard work, ingenuity, and dedication, including their contributions to the economy. The Business Incubator of SWLA along with our sponsors SASOL and Capital One Bank will host the following events:

• Monday, April 29: Incubator of SWLA Showcase: will feature Incubator program participants and a keynote speaker – David Minton, owner of Pentangeli Row Development Group and Cypress Group. He will discuss starting a business, growing a business, and managing success. The event will be held in the SEED Center (Willis Noland Room) from 10:30 a.m. Until 1:30 p.m. Food will be provided. Please RSVP to ecormier@allianceswla.org.
• Tuesday, April 30: Business Roundtable entitled “Money: Finding, Managing and Growing this Resource in a Small Business Environment.” The event will be held in the SEED Center (Willis Noland Room) from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. The event is free to the public.
• Wednesday, May 1: Business Roundtable entitled “Successfully Recruiting, Training and Retaining Talent in Southwest Louisiana – It Can Be Done!” The event will be held in the SEED Center (Willis Noland Room) from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. The
  moderator for this event is Incubator Program Participant and 3 Light Services owner Amy Vincent. A panel of business leaders will lead the discussion. The event is free to the public. 
• Thursday, May 2: Business Pitch Contest at the SEED Center from 5 p.m. until. The event is free to the public. 

The goal of hosting these events is to share ideas, insights, and champion our area business community. 

Folks in Allen, Beauregard, Cameron, and Jeff Davis parishes are encouraged to attend.

National Small Business Week is important because this gives all of us a chance to show appreciation to the people who dream, take on the task of starting a business, making those ventures grow, hiring people and paying taxes to keep our economic machine moving.