Destination 318: Join the Shreveport-Bossier $100K Tourism Challenge
Welcome to Destination 318, an initiative designed to boost tourism in Caddo and Bossier Parishes by addressing unmet needs identified in the Destination Master Plan. Our goals include increasing visitor spending year-round, diversifying offerings for all visitor segments (leisure, business, conventions, sports, gaming, social, etc.), and engaging a broader range of local businesses and residents in the visitor economy. To achieve this, Visit Shreveport Bossier in partnership with Entrepreneural Accelerator Program (EAP) a division of BRF is launching a Tourism Business Competition, inviting innovative tourism-related startup ideas within the Caddo or Bossier area.
Participants must attend educational workshops and submit required deliverables to qualify as finalists. The top 10 companies will present their business plans for a chance to win prize money and receive free services from EAP, with awards going to the top six ideas based on judges’ scores. Stay tuned for more details and get ready to be part of the transformation!
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$100,000 to be awarded to top 6 companies:
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1st Place - $50,000
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2nd Place - $25,000
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3rd Place - $10,000
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4th Place - $7,500
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5th Place - $5,000
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6th Place - $2,500
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People Choice Awarded by BRF - $2,000 Online Voting
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Top 10 will receive free services from EAP, with the Top 6 among them also receiving prize money.
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Recognition and social media coverage to promote company.
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Caddo/Bossier Based: Startup idea/company must be located in Caddo or Bossier Parish.
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A scoring rubrics will be provided and briefed before the competition.
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Tourism Based: Startup idea/company must be related to the tourism industry and increase tourism to the region in the areas of: Outdoor and Sports Activities, Recreational Opportunities, Hospitality, Art, Culture, and Entertainment.
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Must attend all three workshops.
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All deliverables must be completed and submitted prior to deadline.
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No Conflict of Interest: Startup idea/company founders must not be an employee, family member or close relative of Visit Shreveport-Bossier or BRF.
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Application Opens - Saturday, February 1, 2025
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Application Closes (Application Form & One Page business summary - Friday, February 28, 2025
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Application Submissions Vetting & Notification of Qualification - Friday, March 7, 2025
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Three Mandatory Educational Workshops (8:30am to 12:30pm):
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LEAN Canvas and Ideation – Saturday, March 22, 2025
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Financial Projections – Saturday, April 5, 2025
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Pitch Deck and Practice – Saturday, April 12, 2025
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Final Submission of Deliverables (Presentation Pitch Deck, Pro Forma Financial Model, LEAN canvas) - Friday, May 2, 2025
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Deliverable Vetting & Notification of Pitch Participation - Friday, May 9, 2025
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Final Competition - Thursday, May 22, 2025
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Questions
Answers
How do I apply to participate in the Destination 318: Shreveport-Bossier $100K Tourism Challenge? You can apply by visiting the following link: www.visitshreveportbossier.org/destination-318
Who will evaluate the application? The Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP), a division of BRF, will review the application submissions, vet the candidates, and inform selected businesses about their participation in the tourism challenge. Can I apply if I have participated in previous tourism challenges or competitions? Yes, you can apply even if your business has participated in previous challenges. The company will provide detailed information on other competitions the business has entered. Will there be any workshops or resources to help applicants? Yes, all companies who have shown an interest in applying for the tourism challenge must attend three mandatory workshops on the following dates:
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Saturday, March 22, 2025
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Saturday, April 05, 2025
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Saturday, April 12, 2025
These workshops will take place at Bonvenu Bank Community Room, 330 Marshall Street, Shreveport Louisiana 71101.
Are there any restrictions on how the prize money can be used? Yes, the prize money will be awarded based on milestones. Your business plan will outline how you intend to use the funds. What criteria will be used to evaluate the application? Applications will be evaluated based on the following four sections:
1. Unmet Needs
2. Financial Projections
3. Location
4. Successes
What is the timeline for the entire process? -
Application Submission Opens: Saturday, February 1, 2025
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Application Submission Closes: Friday, February 28, 2025
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Application Submission Vetting & Notification of Qualification: March 07, 2025
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Mandatory Workshops: March 22, 2025. April 05, 2025, April 12, 2025
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Final Submission of Deliverables: Friday, May 02, 2025
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Deliverable Vetting & Notification of Pitch Participation: Friday, May 09, 2025
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Final Competition: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Is there a fee to participate? No, there is no fee to participate in the tourism pitch challenge. When will I know if I have been selected, and how will I be notified? You will be notified via email if your business has been selected. Refer to Question Number 8 for more information. What if I do not live in Caddo or Bossier Parish? The businesses may reside outside of the Caddo or Bossier Parish; however, the start-up or existing company must operate in Caddo or Bossier Parish. Do I need to prepare anything additional if I qualify as one of the top 10 companies? Yes, you will need to prepare a presentation of your proposal to present to the judges on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Bonvenu Bank Community Room, 330 Marshall Street, Shreveport Louisiana 71101. Specific presentation times will be assigned to each company. How will the competition be judged? A panel of selected judges, experts in the tourism and business industry, will determine the top six (6) companies to receive prize money. What do the winners receive? -
1st Place: $50,000
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2nd Place: $25,000
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3rd Place: $10,000
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4th Place: $7,500
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5th Place: $5,000
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6th Place: $2,500
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People Choice’s Award: $2,000 (voted online)
Why should I apply? Participating in the Destination 318: Join our Shreveport-Bossier $100K Tourism Challenge can help boost your business visibility, provide networking opportunities, offer valuable feedback, attract investment, foster personal growth opportunities for innovation and learning, and enhance customer loyalty. Who can I contact if I have further questions? Karen M. Barnes with Visit Shreveport-Bossier: Destination318@visitshreveportbossier.org -
Media Assets Here. Please email Karen M. Barnes at destination318@visitshreveportbossier.org if you have further questions.
