2023 Small Business Challenge

WHAT & WHY

Do you have an idea for a business? What about an idea that can help spur development in Downtown Lafayette? The Small Business Challenge is welcoming applicants to submit business ideas to activate a prime location with a dynamic new food & beverage, retail, or other creative business concept!

The winning contestant will receive a significant capital infusion of up to $100,000 and a lease to a unique downtown property – the historic Sans Souci Building.

 

WHERE

The Sans Souci Building, located in Parc Sans Souci in Downtown Lafayette, is a 1,200 sq ft building first constructed in the 1840s. It’s Lafayette’s oldest, most storied commercial building, and over the years has been an inn, a newspaper office, a crafts store, and home to the much-beloved Sans Souci Bookstore (the original namesake for the park).

 

HOW DO I APPLY

The application (due October 13) requests basic information about you and your business concept, along with the components of a “Lean Canvas” – a one-page business plan template that helps you deconstruct your business idea into its key assumptions.

Don’t worry, this information should be simple to complete, and a “Lean Canvas” workshop will be offered if you need guidance on that portion.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!
Up to 20 applicants will be selected to proceed to Round 2. See the full timeline below.

 

RECENT & UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Information Session

An Information Session was held on Sept. 13. Click here to download the Information Packet.

VIEW A RECORDING OF THE SESSION

Lean Canvas Workshop

A “Lean Canvas” workshop will be held on Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom.

REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP

Click here to view a brief Lean Canvas overview video.
Click here to download a Lean Canvas worksheet.

TIMELINE

Business Challenge Information Session	September 13
"Lean Canvas" workshop*	September 28
Initial application and "Lean Canvas" due	October 13
Notification of selections for Round 2 (20 max)	October 27
Business development workshops*	November 1, 8, 15
If financing needed, apply by this date	December 6
Final application due, with full business plan	January 5
Notifications of selections for Round 3 (10 max)	January 19
Workshop (required) on how to pitch	January 24
Business Challenge Pitch Competition	February 9
Notification of Business Challenge Winner	Week of February 19

*Workshops in Rounds 1 & 2 are strongly encouraged but not mandatory – they will also be recorded.

 

PARTNERS

This challenge is made possible through One Acadiana's investors, in partnership with Downtown Development Authority, Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority (LPTFA), Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA), the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC), Opportunity Machine, and the LEED Center at UL Lafayette.