Limpiar Wins Startup St. Bernard!

Innovative cleaning platform takes home the grand prize package totaling over $100,000

ST. BERNARD PARISH, LA – The St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is proud to announce that Limpiar has taken home the grand prize in the Startup St. Bernard pitch competition. The event, held on August 21 at Nunez Community College in Chalmette, brought together entrepreneurs, community leaders, and supporters for an afternoon of high-impact business pitches and strong community engagement. 

Limpiar emerged as the grand prize winner, earning a prize package valued at more than $100,000, including cash and in-kind services designed to support business growth and expansion. Limpiar is a freelance platform that connects clients with skilled cleaning service providers through a streamlined mobile app and desktop interface. The platform offers secure payments, on-demand booking, and access to a nationwide network of professionals. Built with a commitment to green cleaning practices, Limpiar aims to modernize the cleaning industry while creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity across the United States. 

The two runner-up finalists, Salubata and The Levee Shack, each received $5,000 in recognition of their strong pitches and innovative concepts. Salubata creates modular shoes made from recycled plastic waste, combining fashion, comfort, and environmental impact. The company is dedicated to reducing global plastic pollution while creating sustainable jobs. The Levee Shack is a mobile, short-term fishing cabin rental designed for outdoor enthusiasts visiting St. Bernard Parish. The trailer-based cabins offer the comfort of a traditional stay with the flexibility to relocate during hurricanes or seasonal changes. This storm-resilient, scalable model enhances local tourism while highlighting innovative approaches to coastal lodging. 

Attendees also heard from featured speakers who shared insights from their entrepreneurial and industry experience. Christie Lovell, founder of Christie’s Dreams Seafood and winner of the 2016 Startup St. Bernard grand prize, delivered a testimonial highlighting how the program supported her business growth and long-term success. Alex Wendling of Ochsner Health presented on the organization’s initiatives and shared perspective on the healthcare business climate. 

“At the end of the day, our goal is simple. We want to help good ideas become successful businesses that create opportunity for our residents and strengthen our local economy,” said Meaghan McCormack, Chief Executive Officer of the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation. 

Finalists were selected by an independent scoring committee from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. The grand prize winner was chosen by a panel of expert judges, including Allen Square, Founder and CEO of Square Button Group; Desiree Young, Founder and CEO of VentureWalk Business Partners; Emily Egan with Tulane University’s Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Kevin Wilkinson, Founder and CEO of trepwise; and Kris Khalil, Executive Director and BioFund Managing Director of the New Orleans BioInnovation Center. The event was emceed by Randi Rousseau, news anchor at WGNO. 

Startup St. Bernard was made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, including Associated Terminals, Biz New Orleans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Capital One, Cox Communications, Design Hart Studio, Foster Design Co, Frederick J. Sigur Investment Company, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co., Hancock Whitney, Jones Walker, Leadership St. Bernard, Nunez Community College Foundation, Ochsner | St. Bernard Parish Hospital, Ochsner Ventures, OUTFRONT Media, PBF Chalmette Refining, Richie Lewis, SSE Steel Fabrication, St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce, St. Bernard Parish Government, St. Bernard Tourist Commission, St. Bernard Port, Harbor & Terminal District, Turn Services, and Valero Meraux Refinery. 

SBEDF extends its sincere thanks to all participants, attendees, judges, and sponsors who contributed to the success of this year’s Startup St. Bernard. Congratulations to Limpiar, Salubata, and The Levee Shack for their outstanding work and commitment to innovation. 

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About the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation  
St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is the official economic development organization and public-private partnership of St. Bernard Parish formed to create and retain jobs, build prosperity, and improve quality of life. To learn more about SBEDF and how the organization works to foster business attraction, retention and expansion, neighborhood revitalization, small business assistance, and talent and workforce development in St. Bernard Parish, sbedf.org.