Congratulations to the 2024 Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge New Orleans Winners: Femme Fusion from Benjamin Franklin High School!

Femme Fusion from Benjamin Franklin High School clinched victory in the Greater New Orleans leg of the 2024 Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge.

The journey for aspiring entrepreneurs in Greater New Orleans commenced in August 2023 with a JA Launch Lesson. Inspired by local entrepreneurs' tales of resilience and perseverance, these budding innovators embarked on a transformative journey under the guidance of the JA Catalyst program. Equipped with design thinking and lean startup methodology, they honed their Crazy Ideas into viable business concepts.

The Greater New Orleans Semi-Finalists underwent rigorous preparation through the Idea Accelerator Workshop Series in January and February. Meeting weekly, they refined their pitches with the assistance of local mentors and entrepreneurs, gearing up for the climax of their endeavors.

On Saturday, March 2, Loyola University hosted the Greater New Orleans Big Pitch Semi-Finals. Here, Semi-Finalist teams showcased their Crazy Ideas to a panel of local entrepreneurs, vying for a coveted spot in the 2024 Greater New Orleans Big Pitch finals.

On Wednesday, March 13, the top contenders, including Saplings from Haynes Academy, Revive and Femme Fusion from Benjamin Franklin High School, Runba from Fountainbleau High School, and ComfyPod from Archbishop Shaw High School, converged at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) to compete for scholarships and funding. Students took the stage at Gallier Hall ahead of the NOEW Big Idea Pitch, competing for scholarships, school funding, and the honor of being crowned the local champion.

The JA Big Pitch winners, Femme Fusion, will face off on Friday, April 19, in the Regional Final Competition. This event unites finalists from across Louisiana and Gulfport, Mississippi, as they pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges, vying for the title of Regional Champion and additional scholarship prizes.

As Femme Fusion prepares for the upcoming challenge, they carry with them the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that defines the Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge. Their journey exemplifies the boundless potential of young minds, shaping the future of entrepreneurship in our communities. We applaud their achievements and look forward to witnessing their continued success on the path of entrepreneurship.