Delta Regional Authority holding pitch competition in Linden

Anyone with a unique business idea is invited to take part The Delta Challenge, a series of entrepreneurship pitch competitions being held in the Black Belt and Delta Regional Authority.

Budding business men and women can show off their ideas at one of five locations, including once scheduled Linden at the Marengo County Business Center on March 2.

The pitch competitions will identify up to 16 Entrepreneurship Network Fellows who will travel to the New Orleans Entrepreneur Week March 20-27. There they will present their ideas to investors, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, industry experts and mentors and take part in workshops.

The Delta Challenge is part of a newly established program called the DRA Entrepreneurship Network. The goal of the network is to identify, connect, nurture and grow entrepreneurs by addressing lack of capital, training and best practices through a connection with support organizations, investors and educators.

The new program seeks to strengthen the entrepreneurial system of the DRA region and broaden the area’s cultural understanding of entrepreneurship, said Chris Masingill, DRA Federal co-chairman.

As part of the network’s development, DRA also is accepting applications from individuals and non-profit organizations that can provide support and education to entrepreneurs.

Applications for both the Delta Challenge and the Entrepreneurship Support Organization are due on Feb. 15 and can be found at dra.gov/entrepreneur. A webinar will be held to outline application guidelines and answer questions on Feb. 3. To register, go to dra.gov.